Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Vessel waved his QR code in front of the scanner. It made a successful little beeping noise. The employee behind the counter glanced at the computer. 

"Oh, hold on a second. Your first time here? I need to take your picture for your account," the short brunette smiled at him from behind the desk. 

"Uh, yeah, for sure," Vessel muttered, annoyed that he couldn't just walk in. The man behind the counter smiled again. 

"Just right here. The camera is above that red dot on the back of my monitor. You ready?" 

"Uh huh," Vessel grunted in affirmation, making no effort to smile. The guy's smile dropped a bit, and Vessel tried to ignore that he felt bad. "Take it," he nodded at the camera. 

"Right, okay. One, two, three," the computer made a little shutter noise. "Model perfect," the guy laughed at his own joke. "I'm II, if you need anything. Go on in, you're all set," Be civil. 

"Thanks, II," 

Chapter Text

"Hey, Ives, did you see that new guy?" the cute personal trainer turned when II started talking. His eyes flashed around the gym before locking on the newcomer. 

"That guy?" II turned in the direction that Ivy had nodded in, catching sight of the exact guy he was referencing. He was wearing a sweatshirt with a band written across it, one called Alpha Wolf. II had heard of them before, but had never really listened. I should check them out. 

"Yeah, over by the mirrors," the man in question, Vessel, was testing some of their heavier free weights. "He's kind of cute, right?" 

"Little tall for you, isn't he, II?" Ivy flashed his gorgeous, straight teeth at II. II gave him an annoyed look, but let his gaze wander back to the grumpy guy. "Oh, I'm sorry, okay? Don't be like that," Ivy came up next to II, leaning on the counter with him. 

"His name is Vessel," II informed his friend. Ivy smiled. Together, they watched Vessel for a few minutes. He had two 25kg dumbbells next to a bench. After Vessel put the bench in a reclined sitting position, he ripped his sweatshirt off. II kind of...forgot how to breathe. Vessel had a hell of a body hidden under that sweatshirt. He was long, and lean, and in the tightest black compression shirt II had ever seen in his life. Vessel went to sit, and II pretended to be doing something on the computer so that Vessel wouldn't know he had been watching. Ivy had, much less subtly, just turned entirely around, facing the other wall. Ivy checked his watch. 

"Well, it's about that time. I've got a client in five, which I think means you can go get a closer look. The paper towel stations need checking, or something," Ivy was always doing that, trying to get II to hook up with every person who caught his eye. 

"Yeah, the paper towels, that's right," II went in the back to get the trolley and began his daily circle of the gym. Vessel was doing dumbbell chest presses. II froze for a moment, pretending to change a paper towel roll. Are those... are his nipples pierced?  

Chapter Text

III’s feet pounded the pavement. His warm up had gone well, but he was worried about jumping into a circuit. He kept an eye on the clouds above, dark and heavy with rain. His music was interrupted. New text from Vessel. Would you like for me to read it? 

“I guess,” though odds were, he was probably yelling at III for starting a run when it was this close to raining out. Command not recognized. New text message fro- “Yes! Yes, yes. Read it,” Are you seriously running right now? Would you like to respond? “Call Vessel,” Calling “Mom” . “What! No! Stop. End call!” III ripped his phone out, jabbing the red end call button. The whole point of the tech was to not have to do this while running, but technology was not on III’s side today. Neither was the weather. A fat raindrop hit him right on his forehead. 

“You’re not really running, are you?” 

“Yes, Ves, I am. I’m committed to this marathon,” III could hear Vessel roll his eyes. 

“You’ve been committed to every single marathon since you turned sixteen, III. It’s going to rain bad today. It is already here. Can I convince you to come to the gym with me?” 

“Ugh, Vessel, I hate being caged in a building. I have to be free,” 

“III. Please. I don’t want you to get sick,” III tipped his head back and groaned. He felt himself give in before he even opened his mouth. 

“FINE! Ugh. Fine. JUST for today,” III could already feel the walls. Running on a treadmill made him feel like a hamster. 

“I joined a new gym, by the way. Heavier weights. I maxed out the free weights at the old one,” Vessel bragged. He had started a specific regime and was seeing incredible improvements, even III could see it. 

“Text me the address and I’ll meet you there,”

Chapter Text

Ivy was at the desk, watching a guy pacing out front. Ivy didn’t remember ever seeing him around before, and he hadn’t made an attempt to come in. He was just outside… walking. Almost jogging, actually. A black sedan slid past him and he began to follow it. 

“Hey, man, what are you looking at?” II was beside him suddenly, scaring him. 

“You need to wear a bell or something,” 

“Don’t you have a class to teach?” II ignored Ivy’s comment about the bell. Ivy glanced at his watch, seeing that it was half past. He did indeed have a class to teach. 

“Shit. Yeah. But it’s 7:30 yoga, so it’s all older women, and they’re usually late. Hopefully they’re just setting their spaces up in there,” but Ivy paused, because he caught sight of the pacer marching toward the doors. He had that guy that II had been checking out the other day with him. Ivy could still recall II racing up to him and hissing “he has pierced nipples, Ivy!” while he raced by to solve an issue with someone else. “Hey, II, isn’t that your guy?” II glanced out the door, turned away and then turned back in a nearly comic double take. 

“Uh, no, he’s not my anything, Ivy. And his name is Vessel,” II hissed, as the two came through the doors. The smell of rain followed. “Hi, Vessel!” II brightened up when speaking to him. 

“II,” Vessel did one of those bro nods. Ivy wasn’t really paying attention. He was staring into the clearest, lightest, bluest eyes he had ever seen in his life. The mouth under those eyes was moving. 

“Vessel! You never told me you switched to a gym staffed by models,” and by god, how had Ivy missed that mouth . It was under a well groomed pale blond mustache, stretched wide by his grin. His tongue flicked out, just barely licking at his bottom lip. He winked at Ivy. Ivy’s heart stuttered and his stomach flipped on itself. “I’m III,” the guy, III , held his hand out. Ivy automatically grasped it and shook. 

“Ivy,” he barely exhaled his own name. The hand against his was smooth, firm, with softened calluses rubbing against his own. Heat rose in his cheeks so fast he thought he might pass out. “I…I have to go teach a class now,” Ivy was so embarrassed, he had never been caught on the backfoot. He was always the one flirting, never the one flustered, until now.

Chapter Text

“Did you have to flirt with everyone at the desk?” Vessel was leaning on III’s treadmill after his own set. It had been all push, all legs, and his hips were so tight. The treadmill was the right height to lean on and start stretching out. Bonus was it would annoy III.  

“Jealous?” III winked. “I knew you were into that cutie with the top knot,” 

“I am not ,” Vessel put unintentional stress on the word ‘not’, making it sound like he absolutely was into the cutie with the topknot, even though he most definitely was not . The cutie with the topknot in question was walking by just as III opened his mouth to say something. “Shut the fuck up!” Vessel hissed, hoping that II had not heard anything III had been saying. He very casually nodded at II, who returned the nod with a soft smile and a jerk of his chin. Which was adorable. He had to crank his neck back a fair bit. 

“If you like him, you should ask him out,” III was saying, but Vessel barely heard him. II’s strides had a swinging rhythm and Vessel’s eyes were glued to the subtle arch of II’s back. He had this thin, clingy exercise shirt that was highlighting said arch. “Go ask him out,” 

“He’d never say yes,” Vessel shot back, finally tearing his eyes away from II. Who he absolutely was not into and totally would not be asking out. 

“Bet I can get that trainer to go on a run with me before you can make small talk with your guy,”  III stopped the treadmill. Vessel began to panic. Did III mean right now ? Small talk was so not his thing. He had to remind himself to be cordial. 

“No, no, n-n-no, I do NOT take that bet. He could be married! He could be straight ,” all the things that Vessel feared about II came flying out of his mouth. III cocked his head, narrowing his eyes. 

“Is that what you’re worried about? I’ll go ask him right now,” III stepped off the treadmill, and Vessel hated that he had to look up just a touch to look at III’s eyes. Eye level, he was staring at his obnoxious but well groomed mustache. 

“Don’t you talk to him. You’ll charm his pants clean off,” a surge of possessiveness over II reared up. That was weird. Vessel would not be looking into those feelings anytime soon. 

“I can charm anyone ’s pants off,” III retorted. A soft snort came from nearby. It was that cute trainer that III had been flirting with before. Before, he had seemed flustered, and very much charmed. When Vessel glanced at him now, he seemed to have his equilibrium back. III had heard the snort as well. “Even you, pretty boy,” III directed that comment at the trainer. Vessel could see the annoyance in III's face. III had always hated it when someone doubted his ability to charm. III was a professional flirt. And any sort of resistance, even something as mild as an overheard snort, would put him on the warpath. Vessel fondly remembered his own resistance to III’s friendship, and how that had made III pursue Vessel as a friend for about a year in grade school. They’d been inseparable ever since. 

“Sure you can,” the trainer responded to III. And then he sauntered off. III’s mustache twitched. Vessel knew that the trainer’s fate was now sealed. III would probably be in his bed by the end of the damn week. 

Chapter Text

“Good morning, Vessel!” II was excited to see the patron, because he had something new to offer. Vessel lifted the corner of his mouth in response, almost like a smile. “Just so you know, we’re now offering a kickboxing class,” Vessel paused. He actually glanced up and made eye contact with II. 

“Kickboxing?” the tilt of Vessel’s head pulled on II’s heart. Butterflies swarmed his belly, and he was worried his face would flush under Vessel’s gaze. Dude was excruciatingly cute, and ripped, and the outline of his obviously pierced nipples under his almost indecently tight shirts haunted II every time he closed his eyes. 

“Uh-hUh,” II’s voice cracked, and his face for sure flushed red after that. “Ahem, excuse me. Yeah. Kickboxing. 8:00 PM every Tuesday and Thursday. It’s for all manner of talent and experience. If you think you’re interested, I can sign you up now,” 

“Well, I suppose. I’ve never done anything like that before,” Vessel smiled a bit. 

“I’ve heard it’s good for dexterity, posture and even muscle tone. Though I’m not sure you need help with that,” II ended up muttering, realizing what he had said, and immediately breaking eye contact with Vessel. But, almost instantly, he risked another glance at Vessel, to see if he had heard what he’d said. A dusting of pink colored the tops of Vessel’s cheekbones, and he was looking at his hands. “Shall I sign you up for Tuesday?” 

“Ah, uh, yeah. That would be great. Thanks, II,” Vessel resumed eye contact just for a second, and II’s heartbeat accelerated. Hearing Vessel say his name would never get old. II quickly signed Vessel up for IV’s new class. 

“Okay, well, you’re all set. Enjoy your workout!” II smiled, a big customer service smile. Hopefully, Vessel would ignore his muscle tone comment. 

“Y-you too,” Vessel’s eyes went wide when he realized what he said. “Er, uh, I mean, well,” and he jogged away without completing a sentence, ears bright red.

Chapter Text

The following Wednesday, III was running up and down a nature path, timing his sprints. He never took sprinting very seriously, but sometimes it was fun to see just exactly how fast he could go. Clouds were gathering overhead once again, and III anticipated a call from Vessel soon. Vessel was a big fan of dragging III to the gym when there was even a whisper of rainy weather. One raindrop hit the ground near III. He exaggeratedly leaped over it, making a game out of dodging the wet spots on the hard packed dirt. His music paused. Vessel. 

“Hey, III,” Vessel spoke as soon as the call connected. 

“Are we going to the gym?” III immediately asked. He said it too quickly. He could hear Vessel’s eyebrow rising. 

“D-do you want to?” 

“Oh, uh, no. Just. It’s starting to rain and that’s usually why you call me,” 

“I’ve made you go to the gym maybe twice to avoid the rain,” Vessel countered. “Besides. You like Ivy,” III scoffed. 

“I do not like him. I’m seducing him. Because he doubts me. That’s all ,” III paused. “And since when do you call him Ivy?” 

“Woah, dude, calm down. That’s his name . He told me so yesterday when I went to his kickboxing class,” 

“He’s teaching a kickboxing class? Why didn’t you tell me? I would have signed up,” 

“Um. III. You don’t even like being in the walls of the gym. Do you really think you’d enjoy an actual class, where you’re told exactly what to do?” Okay, so Vessel had a point, but III really thought he wouldn’t mind if it was Ivy telling him what to do. 

“Alright, alright fair point. I’m going to go back to running now,” 

“Well, okay. Unless you want to go to the gym with me?” 

“Ugh, twist my arm about it,” III began jogging in the direction of his car. “I’ll meet you there in 20,”

Chapter Text

“What’s this about you teaching a kickboxing class?” Vessel had brought the mustache, III, in again. And he was demanding answers from Ivy. 

“Yeah, Ives, how dare you do your job as a trainer,” Vessel threw in, kind of laughing at III. They had bonded at Ivy’s first kickboxing class, where Vessel had been one of the only people. Three young women had also come, and now they were all sort of friends. Espy, Perry, and Rea had tried to turn it into a quasi yoga class and they all ended up trying to build a little pyramid. It had been a lot of fun, even if Ivy was certain he’d actually taught exactly nothing to any of them. 

“You coming on Thursday, too?” Ivy smiled at Vessel. Vessel smiled and nodded. III asked Ivy about the kickboxing class again. Ivy cocked an eyebrow, remembering when III had called him pretty boy. 

“What do you think it is, mustache?” Ivy was feeling particularly antagonistic, in light of remembering that comment. 

“Oh, boy. Okay, III, go run,” Vessel cut the conversation off. Vessel physically moved III toward the treadmills. “Sorry, he’s like a dog with a bone when someone challenges him,” 

“It’s okay. He’s pretty cute, but I hate being called ‘pretty boy’, I’m not pretty . I’m stunning,” Ivy mock flipped his hair, drawing a laugh out of Vessel. “I’ll see you tomorrow, right Ves?” 

“Yeah, I’ll be at your class,” Vessel ventured off into the gym to do whatever he does. Ivy hadn’t really figured his routine out. 

“His laugh ,” II groaned exaggeratedly, flopping out from behind a pillar. Ivy jumped at his sudden voice. “He’s so beautiful,” 

“Were you listening the whole time?!” 

“I might have to pay a visit to your class, you know,” II ignored Ivy’s question. 

“Yeah, well, I hope the mustache shows up. I kind of want to use him as my sparring partner. Could be fun. Also, why don’t you like… talk to Ves, if you like him so much?” 

“Talk to him?! I don’t want to ruin our friendship, which might have just started, but it’s still there. He always says “Thank you, II,” when I scan him in, so we’re definitely going to be friends. Besides, what if he’s straight?” 

“Funny. I heard him freaking out over you possibly being straight,” Ivy had been waiting to inform II about that little tidbit from the pretty boy incident. II laughed. 

“Me, straight? I could never be restricted like that. Can you imagine?” II started laughing more. He looked around the gym for a few seconds, and then stopped dead. He wrapped his hand around Ivy’s forearm in a vice grip. From between clenched teeth, II gasped. “He took his fucking shirt off,” Ivy started laughing, seeing Vessel shirtless. II hadn’t blinked since he had spotted Vessel. 

“Oh, my God. Come on ,” Ivy started dragging II over toward Vessel. Vessel made eye contact with them both in the mirror, and II became a cat trying to escape. 

“No, no, Ives, we don’t bother people while they’re working out,” Ivy was so caught up in trying to keep II by his side, he missed Vessel walking over. 

“Is everything alright?” Vessel asked. 

“Uh, yes, absolutely, sorry sir. I don’t know what Ives is doing, or why he’s dragging me over here,” II escaped. 

“What the hell?” Vessel kind of laughed. Ivy didn’t really know what to say now that his captive had escaped. 

“He’s absolutely not straight,” is what came out of Ivy’s mouth. “Oil slick titanium is a good choice, by the way,” he vaguely gestured toward Vessel’s piercings. Vessel kind of smacked his hands together, one closed in a loose fist and the other open on top. 

“Er, uh. Thanks. Do you think you can spot me on this?” 

Chapter Text

III was calling Vessel before noon, which was weird. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“What, I can’t just call my friend to say hello? What happened to hi, how are you?” III retorted in a voice that led Vessel to believe that there was genuinely nothing wrong. 

“Sorry. Hi, how are you?” 

“What should I wear to our kickboxing class?” The question caught Vessel off guard enough that he actually laughed. It was a short bark of a laugh, but a laugh nonetheless. “No, seriously,” 

“You actually wanna come with me tonight?” 

“Yeah. I want an opportunity to kick that punk trainer’s perky little ass,” Vessel tsked at III, realizing the motivation behind III’s call. 

“I feel as though I, and my gym membership, are being used by you, III,” he could not keep the smile off his face, but he successfully filled his voice with mock indignation. III sputtered down the line, falling into step with Vessel’s joke anger. 

“Me, use you? Why, I never,” after a moment, they both started laughing. 

“Alright, alright, what were you thinking about wearing?” 

“Whatever makes me look the hottest,” was III’s immediate response. 

“What do you have ?” Vessel poured another cup of coffee while III ruminated over the state of his outfits. “Actually, you can just come over beforehand. I know all your gear is uh… old,” 

“Old, and the elastic is going on most of them, and just… I really need to go shopping, don’t I?” 

“Sure, but for today, you can just borrow something of mine. It’s just a class. And I got these new shorts that I think your gangly ass can fit in, they’re black with electric green flames all over them,” 

“Cool, cool. Are you making coffee right now?” 

“When am I not making coffee?” Vessel’s front door opened. “Oh, Jesus,” it was, of course, III. “I gave you that so you could watch my house last year, not so you could come over whenever you damn well feel like it,” 

“Shut up. You love it,” 

III proceeded to annoy Vessel right up to the time they had to leave for the kickboxing class. First, he was unsure about the shorts. Then, he needed to spend an hour making sure his mustache was perfect, not a single hair out of place. Then, he spent an equal amount of time fussing with his hair. Eventually, Vessel had snapped a bit at him. 

“Sit down and shut up,” he told III, taking a brush and a comb out of his vanity. He parted III’s hair down the middle, and began tugging one side up into a small bun. “You’d look hot with an undercut, I think,” he said, as an apology for telling III to shut up. 

“You think? It would make things easier to manage,” III smiled. Vessel gave III twin buns, one on each side of his head. “These look great, thank you,” 

“There. Can we go now? Please? We’re going to be late,” III practically threw himself out the door and into the passenger seat of Vessel’s car. 

II was at the front desk. Vessel smoothed his own hair down as he walked into the gym, hoping he looked presentable. III was practically peacocking next to him. 

“Vessel, hi. How are you this evening?” II then glanced at III. “Oh, hi III. Are you here for the class as well?” 

“He is. I’m good. How are you?” Vessel didn’t want III derailing the conversation. Or, the polite greeting. It was totally a conversation, whatever. 

“Good, thank you. You’re all set, you know where it is,” II seemed… off, to Vessel. So, he tried being polite again. 

“Have a good evening, II,” though it was hard, because Vessel was shy, it was totally worth it. The smile that spread across II’s face made Vessel’s heart flip. His answering smile was automatic. III did not care at all, and he was dragging Vessel away by his hand, in the absolutely wrong direction. Vessel watched as the smile on II’s face widened, revealing his teeth as he opened his mouth. 

“You’re going the wrong way,” he called after III. Vessel stopped III and set him in the right direction. III charged as soon as he caught sight of Ivy. Ivy wasn’t impressed, if his singular raised eyebrow was anything to go by. 

“Ves, you made it!” Ivy said, but he wasn’t looking at Vessel. He was staring at III, who was nearly in Ivy’s personal space. Espy appeared next to Vessel. 

“Who’s your friend?” 

“His name is III. He’s in love with Ives,” Ivy caught that, glanced at Vessel, looked back up at III and then clapped his hands. 

“Well, let’s get started. Mustache, have you ever taken a class before?” Vessel stifled a giggle, knowing III certainly had not. 

“Pfft, obviously,” was III’s predictable response. 

“Good, then I can use you to teach those of us who have only taken one other class,” Ivy cast a look around the room. Rea was already pulling on Perry’s leg, trying to get her to do something that was certainly not kickboxing related. III settled into some type of fighting stance, but it wasn’t what Ives was looking for. Vessel watched as III was physically moved into the proper fighting stance. Ivy tugged on his little space buns to move his head and shoulders down. 

“If you wanted to pull on my hair, you could have just asked,” III cracked. Espy started giggling. 

“If you didn’t want me to pull on your hair, you shouldn’t have given me such cute handles,” Ivy cracked back. His humor was dry as hell. “Okay, but you seem to be in position now. I thought you’d taken a class before,” with that, Ivy threw a soft punch near III’s head. III ducked rather dramatically. Ivy paused, stood up straight, and then looked at the four other people in the room. “Let’s work on movement today,” 

Ivy had a better handle on the class today, and the ladies weren’t messing around quite as much, though they were toward the end. Rea rolled out from underneath Espy, and kind of sent her entire body into Vessel’s ankle. 

“Oh, shit, ow,” she must have hit it at just the right angle. Pain burst up his leg, and Vessel immediately turned into a flamingo. 

“Oh, shit I am so sorry Ves! Here, here, sit down,” Rea immediately jumped up and apologized. She helped Vessel get down onto the mat. Ives and III were full on wrestling, but stopped when they heard the commotion. 

“No, mustache, get off of me, or I’ll rip all the stupid green flames off of your shorts,” Vessel’s ankle was throbbing. “Shit, okay, what happened?” 

“Nothing, I’m fine,” 

“Bullshit, you’re hurt,” III appeared next to Ivy. Of course, today would be the day Vessel got hurt. III always knew when he was trying to cover up pain and injuries. Vessel had his hand around his ankle, protecting it. 

“Shut up. Nothing is broken. Rea just rolled into my ankle. I’ll be fine,” 

“No, okay. Shit. I’ve got to get II, he knows how to help. He used to be a physical therapist. III, take Ves to the locker room, please. I’ll bring II in,” 

“Wait, no no, I’m totally fine, seriously, don’t bother II,” but Ivy was gone. III hoisted Vessel up. Vessel tried to put weight down on his ankle, but it immediately gave out. 

“Fine, my ass. Any chance you know where the locker room is?” Vessel looked out, and saw II turning from Ivy and heading into some sort of back room behind the front desk. 

“Ugh, okay, um, it’s over there,” Vessel gestured toward the locker rooms. III hopped Vessel into the locker room and set him up on a bench. “This is ridiculous, I’m fine,” III laughed. 

“Dude, you are the worst at hiding injuries. Pretty boy said II was a physical therapist before this, so, he’ll set you up fine. Just…don’t get a boner while he’s bandaging you up or anything,” Vessel felt his face flush. He hadn’t thought about that. II would have his hands on Vessel’s ankle and leg and… Vessel had to get out of here before II showed up.

“Vessel?” II rounded the corner, carrying a small black bag. “I heard you hurt your ankle? Do you mind if I take a look at it?”

Chapter Text

“No, II, I swear I’m fine. You really didn’t have to come back here and check me out,” was the first thing Vessel said to II when he got back into the locker room. The poor guy was pink, leaning against the lockers and was clearly in pain. His lips kept pulling down before he snapped them back up. II sat next to Vessel. 

“Vessel,” II smiled, and waited until Vessel looked up at him. “It’s not a bother. You got hurt at my gym. I have the training to make sure you will be okay. And I’d rather know you’re walking out of here cared for and properly stabilized than walking out of here potentially hurt. I won’t make sure you’re not seriously injured without your permission. But, if you’ll let me, I’d really like to make sure you’re okay,” 

“Um, ah, well, okay,” Vessel broke eye contact. “It’s uh, my left one,” II slid off the bench and onto the floor. He untied Vessel’s shoe and took it off. “Oh, um, uh,” 

“What’s wrong? Does that hurt?” 

“N-no. Just. Worried,” 

“Well, don’t worry too much. I did this for seven or eight years. I just quit about eight months ago,” 

“Oh, no. I don’t doubt your ability. I just.. Uh,” II looked up, locking eyes with Vessel. Vessel trailed off, and his lips parted a little bit. II smiled. Vessel was just so pretty, he really couldn’t help it. After he stared at Vessel for what was likely an uncomfortable amount of time, he shook it off and blinked. 

“Alright, love. I’m going to check your range of motion. Just tell me when it hurts,” II slowly started rolling Vessel’s ankle. About three quarters of the way through II’s manipulation, Vessel hissed. “There?” 

“Y-yeah, there,” Vessel confirmed. 

“How bad is it?” II turned his face back to Vessel’s, mostly to watch for signs of pain. Not because he was cute and sweet and definitely not because that hiss had II’s head spiraling down a path it should not have ever gone down. It was to watch for signs of pain. 

“It.. it’s not bad. I can probably walk on it,” but the edges of Vessel’s eyes were crinkled in a way that was making II think he was trying to play it off as less painful than it was. 

“It’s probably a mild sprain. If you’ll let me, I’ll wrap it,” 

“Uhm,” 

“I don’t have to if you really don’t want me to. But I’d be more comfortable letting you leave if you’d let me wrap it,” Vessel’s teeth were digging into his bottom lip. Oh, what I’d give to be digging my teeth into that lip . II physically jolted when the thought drifted across his mind. Vessel glanced up, making eye contact again. 

“Okay, you can wrap it,” Vessel’s voice had dropped half an octave. 

“Are you in pain, love?” II reached down in his bag to get ibuprofen. When he sat back up, his eyes dragged up Vessel’s body. II realized that Vessel was… excited. There was a very clear imprint showing through his shorts. Vessel was getting hard over something. And that was when II realized what Vessel was seeing. II was kneeling between his legs and continually making eye contact. Vessel audibly swallowed. 

“Y-yeah,” II consciously stopped his eyebrow from raising. He gave Vessel another smile. He assumed that Vessel was getting excited because there was someone between his legs, so he decided to distract Vessel. He didn’t want to embarrass Vessel and have him stop coming to II’s gym. 

“So, uh, how do you take your coffee?” He handed Vessel the bottle of pills and turned to start wrapping his ankle. 

“Black. Sugars. Like. Seven of them,” II laughed. “What?” 

“That’s… an abomination,” he teased. Vessel turned pink again. 

“How! Are you one of those obnoxious coffee snobs who only drinks beans picked on the third of March in the foothills of the Himalayas or something equally ridiculous?” Vessel fired back. It was the longest sentence he had ever said to II, and it made II laugh hard. 

“Oh, yes, absolutely. No, actually, I’ll take anything, so long as it’s iced and comes in a can and is Red Bull,” Vessel was staring at II again. II smiled. “Okay, you’re all set,” II grabbed above Vessel’s knee to haul himself off the floor. Vessel stood at nearly the same time. II could feel his hard, muscular body run up the length of II’s body and suddenly II was battling his own body to not react. Vessel was tall . And pressed right up against II. And II was craning his neck back to look at Vessel. They each tried to move in different directions. Vessel’s lips brushed against II’s cheek. A smile, clearer than any summer sky, burst across Vessel’s face. 

“Thanks, II,”

Chapter Text

III was rolling mats in the boxing room when he heard a noise behind him. 

“You're still here?” It was pretty boy, Ivy. III turned around. Ivy was now in soft sweats, and he looked cozy as hell. 

“Oh, uh, yeah. I didn't…didn't know what else to do. Ves drove me, so…” 

“Huh. Well. Thank you for cleaning up. I can take it from here,” III dropped the mat he was holding. There was just something about this pretty boy that made III want to just…pull his pigtails, metaphorically speaking. Ivy wasn't wearing pigtails. But he had lovely, shortish, shaggy blonde-y brown hair. Like he was a brunette, but he'd spent too much time out in the sun. Ivy stared at him, blinking. Then he squared his shoulders. He had brawny, thick, square shoulders. He looked like a rugby player or something. “Okay, actually. Class isn't over. Front of the room, by the mirrors, now,” Oh, pretty boy has claws. III grinned and strolled to the front of the room. 

“Whatever you say,” when III finally focused on Ives, he was directly in front of him. And he was in proper fighting form.

“Hands up, mustache,” III followed his instruction. “Throw a punch,” Ivy commanded. III did. Ivy had his wrist crushed in his grip before III could land anything. “Too slow,” the taunting grin that spread across Ivy’s face immediately seared itself into III’s memory. III wrenched his hand out of Ivy’s grip and tried to lunge. Ivy ducked, faster than lightning, and took III to the ground. His shoulder crashed into III’s belly, and III flopped down onto the floor. His first and only instinct was to be as limp as possible once Ivy attacked. 

“Heyyyy,” III yelled on impact. “Jesus man. You’re really fighty,” 

“I like to pin people down,” Ivy delivered the line with a perfectly straight face, but once III’s eyebrow popped up, he started laughing. He had a really funny laugh, that hitched in weird places and spoke to real delight. Ivy looked out the room's windows into the gym and stood immediately. He held his hand out to III, and III took it. Ivy hauled him up, and III looked out into the gym too. Vessel was standing there. With II. They were talking, and III saw Vessel's phone in IIs's hand. He knew the case anywhere. It was this obnoxious bright green thing that III had bought Ves after Ves had insisted he didn't need a case and that the phone looked better without one. III and IV met eyes, and they mirrored each other's smiles immediately. They both practically charged out of the room, to try and catch the tail end of Vessel and II's conversation. 

“That's um…a hell of a case,” III caught II saying. 

“How you feeling, Ves? Think you'll make it to class on Tuesday?” Ivy butted in before III could claim credit for the case. 

“Yeah. Hey, I was wondering. Why don't you have a class on the weekends? Tuesday Thursday is a weird split without a Saturday. For a class, I mean. I'm just curious,” damn, Vessel rarely talks this much. III noted just how comfortable he seemed immediately with Ivy. 

“Oh, I've usually got tournaments on Saturdays, and of course, debrief on Sunday,” III was kind of lost, but it was some sort of sport. 

“Rugby?” Vessel inquired. Ivy nodded. 

“Yep. Best sport in the world,” III felt his gaze pulled to Ivy's legs. Thighs. In those shorts. Shorts!

Chapter Text

“Yep. Best sport in the world,” Ivy started thinking about the 7s tournament that he’d be in on Saturday. He glanced over at II, who was apparently desperately trying to make eye contact with him. Before Ivy could inquire, Vessel's voice broke II’s concentration.

“So…um…are we okay to go?” Vessel asked II. He was always kind of quiet when he was talking, but especially to II. II nodded. He was using his big pretty smile, not his customer smile. Ivy was watching them. III kept inching close in Ivy's periphery. 

“When can I get your phone number?” III stage whispered right in Ivy's ear. Vessel and II both heard it. They both glanced over, and Vessel rolled his eyes. 

“Never,” Ivy stage whispered back. III made an incredulous choking noise. Yeah. I've still got it. “II, help me finish cleaning the classroom?” Ivy had been friends with II long enough to know, by his face, that he needed to tell Ivy about whatever went down in the locker room. “Ves, keep II in the loop on your ankle. I feel bad that it happened in my class, and want to make sure you recover,” 

“Oh, um, well, I can just follow you on instagram, and tell you myself if you want,” Vessel offered. 

“Nah, that’s okay,” Ivy replied. He wanted Vessel to talk to II. They were clearly so into each other it was almost embarrassing, and neither of them would ever make a move if not forced to. Ivy knew II well enough to make that assumption about him, and Vessel was just so clearly shy he thought it was fair to think the same of Vessel. 

“No but what is your instagram? Or your phone number?” III asked Ivy. Ivy wanted to laugh. Dude is desperate. And Ivy wanted to yank his chains, and his stupid little hair buns. 

“Vessel, is your dog always like this when you tell him no?” 

“I am not a dog!” III nearly yelled. Oops . III’s tone was lower, almost angry now. It lacked the playfulness from before, and Ivy sort of felt…bad? 

“Ives, seriously?!” II asked at the same time Vessel interjected. 

“Alright, III. Let’s go,” 

“Sorry, mustache,” Ivy kind of muttered. He was looking at his feet now. He never knew exactly where to draw the line, and was feeling the keen curl of embarrassment in his gut at what had clearly actually kind of upset III. 

“S’fine,” III muttered back, softly kicking Ivy’s shin. II was now boring holes in Ivy’s head with his big blue eyes. Ivy shrugged at II as Vessel and III began walking out. 

“Christ, you’re like a kid,” II rolled his eyes and walked off toward the room. 

“No, okay, I know. Sorry. What uh…what happened between you and Vessel?” Ivy watched II try to keep a straight face, but a smile broke free anyway. 

“Nothin’, nothin’,” Ivy tried to skewer II with his gaze. “What! Nothing happened. I wrapped his ankle. He was just…being Ves,” when he said ‘Ves’, he smiled again. 

“What happened! Oh my god. You are hiding something!” 

“I am not!” 

“Say his name without smiling then,” Ivy countered. 

“Whose name?” 

“Vessel’s, you moron,” 

“Vessel,” his cheeks lifted, and II could not fight the smile off. 

“Tell me!!” Ivy insisted. He began to roll the mat that III had dropped. 

“Not until you tell me what you’re smiling about while rolling a damn mat,” 

“I’m not smiling,” Ivy straightened his face. He hadn’t realized that he’d began smiling the second he grabbed the mat. He didn’t even know why he was smiling. II snorted. “I tackled him,” Ivy fessed up almost immediately when II just held eye contact with him. “Now, tell me what happened with Vessel,” 

“Nah, man, it was nothing really. Just…he kissed me on the cheek is all,” II glanced at Ivy and then giggled. 

“He did!! Oh!!” Ivy was excited for his friend, but there was a faint ghost of something. A pinch of disappointment. That's weird. “I knew you liked him since he first walked in the door,” Ivy accused playfully, ignoring that weird ghost of an emotion. II shrugged. 

“Yeah, well, I mean, he’s cute,” he tried to play it off, but II was pink in his cheeks and had the goofiest grin on his face. He also kept running his fingertips over one cheek, presumably where Vessel’s lips had been. 

“You’re in loooooooooove,” Ivy sang. Cleaning went by quickly, and eventually they were locking the doors on the gym. II had changed into road gear and his helmet in hand. 

“Drive safe!” II called, swinging one leg over his motorcycle. The helmet slid down over II’s head, and his bike roared. The matte black bike slid by Ivy, and he watched II drive away. 

As Ivy watched, he didn’t know why, but he imagined III playing backpack to II. Maybe he did like the mustache, after all. But just a little bit. And just as a friend. An annoying, tall, slender, pretty friend.

Chapter Text

Ivy was at the front desk when Vessel walked into the gym. His eyebrow crawled up to his hairline when he saw Vessel. 

“Is something wrong?” 

“Do not let II catch you here. He’ll order your ass on bed rest for days if he knows you’re here less than 24 hours after injuring your ankle,” Vessel could not suppress the eye roll. 

“Oh, yeah? What’s he gonna do to me, really?” Ivy shrugged and waved the scanner at Vessel’s phone. He sucked air in through his teeth. 

“Well… you’re all set. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Vessel chuckled at Ivy’s weirdness and walked into the gym. It’ll be fine. It’s chest day anyway. No worries here, can’t injure my ankle doing presses . He set up his bench, bag, music and training app. He wiggled out of his sweatshirt, straightened the compression shirt and sat down on the bench. Seven reps into his second set, he looked at something in the mirror. Movement had drawn his eye. He made eye contact with a visibly upset II stomping toward him. II was talking but he couldn’t hear II over his music, so he took an earbud out and looked at II. 

“Is something wrong?” Vessel blinked at II. He was angry, blue eyes gone gray. 

“ Is something wrong ? Your ankle, Ves! You just hurt it-” II glanced at his watch. “-eleven hours ago! There is no way you’re fine enough to work out right now!” II was gesturing at Vessel’s ankle. It was still wrapped, and in a high top. Vessel furrowed his brows at II and sucked his bottom lip into his mouth in confusion. 

“Um, it’s fine. I left it wrapped like you said. And put on high tops, to keep it steady. It doesn’t even hurt,” Vessel’s face was warm. II was obviously upset. “I…I’m sorry,” the tears kind of choking Vessel were totally irrational, but he really wanted II to like him and definitely had not expected this kind of reaction when Ivy had warned him. He looked down at the ground, hoping that II couldn’t see the tears gathering in his waterline. Jesus Christ, how embarrassing. He was a full grown adult, being chastised by an older full grown adult, and he was about to cry over it. “Um… do you want me to leave?” he chanced looking back up at II. II had a very different look on his face now. 

“No. No, no, of course not. Hey, I’m sorry. I just…got heated when I saw you, because I know you got hurt last night. Please, stay. Finish your workout. Forgive me, I just…,” II trailed off. He was studying Vessel’s face. Vessel imagined that he was pinker than Barbie’s wardrobe and that his eyes were turning red as well as having tears gathered. He knew if he blinked, one would spill over. “Vessel, are you crying?” shit . 

“N-no! Of course not. I’m fine,” Vessel turned away, and tried to covertly swipe at his eyes. 

“Oh, honey. Hey, look at me. Really, I’m sorry. Let me get you something, before you go back to your workout, okay?” II surprised the shit out of Vessel, by taking his chin in his hand, gently tilting Vessel’s entire head up, and pressing a soft kiss to Vessel’s forehead. “I’ll be right back, okay?” When II released his chin and turned away, Vessel couldn’t help but swoon backwards into the bench’s incline. His heart was in shambles. II’s lips had been so soft. He watched II walk away in the mirror. II reached back and readjusted the hem of his shirt, showing a tattoo on his lower back. Vessel would have to ask him about that when he got back.

Chapter Text

“You have a tattoo?” Vessel asked immediately when II came back to him with a protein shake. “Thank you,” he murmured. II was reeling. Vessel’s eyes had gone so glassy with tears the second II had raised his voice. 

“Uh, yeah,” II glanced at his arms, both completely sleeved out to his hands. 

“N..no. I um. I can see those. I thought I saw one when you adjusted your shirt,”  Vessel reached out, gesturing toward II’s shirt. 

“Oh, I see. Um, yes. Basically my whole body is tattooed,” II pulled his shirt up so Vessel could see the ink on his ribcage. From his hips all the way around his back told a story. It was the corpse of a deer, with flowers and trees spiraling up his torso, growing out of the deer’s body. It was his favorite tattoo. He was so proud of it, partly because Ivy had helped him pick it out. 

“W-wow. II, that’s beautiful,”  Vessel's eyes were roving over the ink II had exposed. He coughed and cracked the drink II had brought him. He cleared his throat. “That's good. Did the tattoo hurt?” 

“Mm, kinda. It was worth it though, I think,” II brushed his hands down over his sides. Vessel had a spacey look on his face and his gaze was locked on the tattoo. Before II could invite him to touch it, Vessel's fingers brushed against his skin. 

“It's really beautiful,” Vessel traced one long…long finger across II's back. His touch was feather light, almost teasing. II involuntarily arched into his touch. “Um…sorry,” Vessel whispered, fingers still against II's skin. He could feel just a hint of Vessel's fingernails, and goosebumps blossomed from the contact. II's mouth ran dry. 

“No…no. It's okay. I'm. I'm glad you like it. It's my favorite piece I have,” 

“I love it,” a soft smile was on Vessel's face, and II wanted to get his phone out and take a photo. II let his shirt fall, Vessel’s fingers still under it. 

“Thank you,” those pretty dark blue eyes met II's. They were glossy and bright with the smile on his face. 

“I…um… well, I should finish my workout,” Vessel chewed his lower lip again. II noticed every time he did it, and it drove II positively wild. 

“Y-yeah. Of course. I'll let you get to it. It was great talking to you. We should do it again sometime. Maybe over some black coffee with too much sugar in it?” there. II finally showed some interest. 

“Oh. Um. I'd like that. I'd like that very much,” 

“Really?” II couldn't keep the stupid grin from taking over his face. “Okay. Um. I'll DM you,” II wanted to start dancing in the middle of his gym. 

“Okay,” Vessel's own smile was large and positively captivating. He was nodding and smiling and II thought his heart might burst. 

“Okay. Um. Yay!” II clasped Vessel’s hand for a second before striding off, full of new confidence.

Chapter Text

999

Answer NOW 

DUDE 

Three rapid texts from Vessel after III missed his call. His eyes went wide, and he immediately dialed Vessel. When the line connected, III demanded to know what was wrong. 

“You are never going to believe this,” 

“Where’s the fire, Ves?” 

“No, shut up, it’s my turn. II asked me out! He asked me on a DATE!” 

“That’s impossible. I haven’t even gotten Ivy’s number yet,” III teased. 

“Well, you better get a move on. I finally got a date before you!” 

“So, you really like this guy, huh?” III inquired. He knew that Vessel had been prone to saying yes to dates with people he didn’t like, because he had always been sort of lonely. “Like, for real, I mean,” 

“Have you seen him? He’s so cute. I know he’s like… a bit older than us. But he’s just. GAH! I want to pick him up and swing him around and kiss him so hard his head starts spinning. He kissed my forehead! He has the softest lips, III. I want this. I’m going to try and like. Actually kiss him when we do go on that date. What do people do for dates these days? He said coffee, but when he wrapped my ankle, he like, didn’t like coffee. He said he was a redbull guy,” 

“Vessel. Dude. How much coffee have you had? He said he wanted coffee, so go for coffee! He’s a grown ass man, he’ll figure it out. Now. Because I’ve listened to you ramble on about your crush. I need you to help me with my conquest of Ivy’s ass,” Vessel cackled. Vessel’s laugh was one of III’s favorite things. It was rare enough. 

“So. Uh. I kind of went through II’s insta, and sorta found Ivy’s. If… you want it. Or, or,” Vessel said once III started sputtering about not yet having Ivy’s instagram. “Or. I found out where his rugby practices are on Saturday mornings. If… you still run on Saturday mornings?” 

“One guy asks you out and suddenly you’re this confident and teasing?” 

“The cutest guy in the whole world. Well, aside from you, of course,” 

“Jeez. He’s flirty too,” III’s heart squeezed at the compliment. Vessel had never been so quick, so funny, so smart. Maybe II is really good for him . “But, obviously, obviously I still run on Saturday mornings. I do have a marathon in two months. Which, um. Are you still coming?” 

“I wouldn’t miss it, actually, and how dare you think otherwise?” ah. There’s my best friend . III breathed out in relief. “Do you think you’re going to come to kickboxing tonight?” 

“I wouldn’t miss it, actually, and how dare you think otherwise?” 

*** 

“Why do you do this shit so early?” Vessel grumbled. He kicked a rock on the sidewalk in front of III’s place. Saturday had come and they were going to run past the local field, where Ivy should be. III was bouncing on his heels. 

“It’s cooler,” III responded, then started stretching. “Ivy still hasn’t followed me back,” he mentioned. It had been bugging him since he had followed Ivy, even though he knew that was probably crazy. 

“He might not have notifications on or something,” Vessel replied. He started to follow III’s movements, stretching his legs. 

“Hm. So when’s your date with II?” Vessel froze and blinked at III. 

“We uh. I uh. I haven’t talked to him about it yet. I got nervous. He almost made me cry, and I’m worried that it’s just pity,” 

“You cry when the sun rises too pink. Don’t worry about it. If he’s actually an adult about it, he meant it when he asked you out,” 

“But what if it was just-”

“Vessel,” III cut him off. He heard Vessel’s teeth click shut. “II is an adult. You’re an adult. This isn’t high school. People don’t ask you out to prank you anymore. Text the man,” 

“Fine. After we stalk your boy,” they both took off. They each had one earbud in, and were listening to III’s running mix. Sidewalks gave way to gravel and dirt, and then they heard something up ahead. Faint yelling. 

“Let’s run this one more time!” III recognized that voice. It was pretty boy. But the voice he was using was loud, full of grit and authority. III wanted to ingrain it into his memory immediately. He wanted to hear Ivy use that exact voice right in his ear. 

“III, you okay?” Vessel whispered. He nodded. His mouth was dry. He jogged forward, popping out of the tree line and onto the edge of the field. “III, you don’t have to,” III wasn’t listening. He was thinking about Ivy and his pretty boy shorts. Ivy himself came into view, way closer than III had anticipated. Those shorts were as good as III had imagined. Tight, short, black with a logo printed. Practically crawling up his thighs. 

“Hey, sorry man, this is a closed practice… Mustache?” 

Chapter Text

“Mustache? Vessel? What are you two doing here?” Ivy recognized the guys the second he got close. 

“Just uh… on a morning run,” Mustache informed him. 

“Yep,” Vessel nodded. “III is running a marathon soon. He’s getting ready,” 

“A marathon? Don’t those take forever to run?” Ivy didn’t know that much about marathons, but he knew they were long affairs. 

“I watch for him at a specific mile marker he chooses and cheer him on. If you want to, you can come with me,” Vessel smiled at Ivy. He remembered II texting him this morning, saying Vessel hadn’t yet said anything to him and he was about to text first. Ivy maintained that it was Vessel’s turn to initiate, but he never maintained that he himself couldn’t help out. 

“Must get boring. I’ll go with you, if you text II about that date I know he asked you out on,” Vessel's eyes went wide when Ivy said that and Ivy laughed. “C'mon man. Just text him,” 

“W-what? Like now?” Vessel stuttered. III was just… Staring at Ivy. 

“When else?” Ivy countered. “Mustache,” Ivy met III's sea glass colored eyes. For all the shit he gave him, he thought III was very pretty. Sweet, soft, but brash and annoying as well. It was sort of driving Ivy nuts. He imagined getting III in front of the mirrors in the gym classroom and-

“Pretty boy,” III responded. “Nice shorts,” he followed up with, bringing heat to Ivy's cheeks. III grinned. 

“Hey, coach. We finished the drill,” one of Ivy's players rocked up next to Ivy while he was still looking at Mustache. 

“Hey, I'm III,” Mustache introduced himself.

“Sam. Can we have our coach back?” III flashed a brilliant smile at Sam. Ivy's heart paused. 

“Of course. Didn't mean to keep him,” Sam jogged away. “Guess you've got stuff to do. Catch you later?” 

“Yeah, of course. Have a good jog,” Ivy smiled at III. 

“Oh, and follow me back already,” III spun on his heel then and started away. Vessel was standing there, phone in hand. Ivy met his shocked gaze. 

“I… I text him. He wants to meet… this afternoon,” Vessel was slow to speak, but he seemed so happy after the messages from II. That's my boy , Ivy almost said aloud.

“Yeah? Doesn't surprise me. Mustache is running off, by the way,” a weird, almost devious smile curled over Vessel's lips then. 

“I'll catch him. You really should follow him back, I think you'll like his antics,” 

“I never even use social media,” 

“Coach!” Echoed across the field. 

“You might try,” Vessel countered, then in a perfect imitation of III's exit, spun on his heel and jogged away. 

After practice, Ivy opened his phone. Two texts from II, the second one informing him of the date Vessel had already told him about. Then, his finger hovered over the stupid rainbow camera app. 

One new follower: 3_three_iii

He hit the big blue “follow back” button.

Chapter Text

His black short sleeved sweater slid off the hanger. It was soft, cashmere and cable knit. Vessel was in front of the mirror, making sure that the ends of his sweater were properly tucked into his dress pants. He messed with his shorter hair, which he’d been able to get cut earlier today. He had left the top longer and messy, almost enough to run his fingers through. It was a good length, not long enough to drive him nuts but long enough to style a bit if he really wanted to. He’d gotten the sides trimmed and shaved down as well, making it easier to manage. He fussed for a moment longer and then decided that he was as cleaned up as he could be. Vessel inhaled and smelled iron. Another damn nosebleed. Every time he got too stressed out or too excited, he had a small one. Just enough to ruin a white shirt. Of course he’d have one today. His phone buzzed on the counter, and he went to get it. He grabbed a tissue and held it to his nose, grabbed his phone and opened the message. It was II. 

Still on? Was all it said. 

Yes, of course. Vessel replied immediately. Shit, does he want out of it? Unless you have something else going on. 

Nothing else. See you soon :) II’s reply came in so quick, Vessel wasn’t sure how he read the message that fast. Vessel finished cleaning his nose up and got ready to walk over to the shop. II had picked it out, and luckily it was within walking distance for Vessel. For a guy who doesn’t like coffee, II had a shop in mind right away when Vessel had asked. It was one of the best in the area, but wasn’t anywhere near the gym. Is II a neighbor? Vessel wondered. He walked out of his place, found that it was in fact drizzling and sprinted down to the coffee shop. He was about 20 minutes ahead of their selected time, but he hoped to get the good table and chairs because of it. They were right by the big front window, and had giant comfy chairs instead of little wooden ones. And both were open, so Vessel sank into the one facing the door. He began to scroll aimlessly on his phone. One of III’s videos flew by, showing Vessel his own physique staged next to III’s. A bit ago, III had decided that together they could be some form of social media famous and he had been diligent about posting their bodies all over the internet. He kept Vessel’s face out of it, but he knew his own body. Vessel’s lat spread was the thumbnail, and he sent III a DM about it, saying that it looked great. III sent back a message, telling Vessel that it’s okay to put out on the first date, with about eleven winking emojis. 

Fifteen minutes slipped by. A distant rumbling grew loud, drawing Vessel’s attention onto the street. A motorcycle pulled up right in front of the coffee shop. It was black, with purple trim. The driver had a full black helmet on, all black gear and looked slick, cool and way beyond anything Vessel could comprehend. He could see the way the road gear worked, how it was new and clean and obviously well maintained. Vessel was about to return to scrolling on his phone when the driver took his helmet off. It was II. 

Vessel smelled iron.

Chapter Text

II carried his helmet into the small coffee shop. He had perused Vessel’s instagram before asking if they could meet at this one. It looked to be Vessel’s favorite, based on his “coffee” highlights. The coffee smell had invaded his nostrils the second he had parked and removed his helmet. He was sort of hoping that Vessel had seen him drive up and park. It would be an easy conversation starter. Vessel was sitting in a big chair right by the door, staring at II. Weirdly, he was holding a tissue to his face. 

“You drive a motorcycle,” Vessel informed II. II nodded. 

“I’m aware,” he deadpanned back. Vessel pulled the tissue away from his face, and II caught sight of blood on the tissue. “Holy hell, are you alright?” 

“Oh, uh, yeah. I get nosebleeds a lot,” he shrugged. “I haven’t ordered yet. I was waiting for you,” Vessel changed the subject from the bloody tissue. 

“How do you take it, again?” II thought he remembered seven sugars, but also wondered if that was completely absurd. 

“Hot, black, and just… usually I just grab a bunch of sugar packets and do it up however suits my fancy on a particular day,” 

“Noted. What on earth should I get?” 

“Um… oh! Try a cappuccino, but if you’re lactose intolerant, I recommend oat milk as a sub,” II walked up to the bar, and ordered both. 

“They’ll just be at the bar,” the barista smiled and nodded toward the end of the counter. II glanced at her nametag. 

“Thank you, Darya. I like your eyeliner, by the way,” II flashed what he thought was his most winning smile and walked back toward Vessel. 

“That’s my favorite barista,” Vessel smiled at II, causing his heart to skip a beat. II cocked his head, pretending he didn’t know that Vessel came here a lot. 

“You’ve been here?” 

“Oh, uh, yeah. I live basically around the corner. I actually walked here,” wonder if he’ll let me drive him back to his place . 

“What a coincidence,” 

“Ves, your coffee!” the barista hollered, and II shot up. 

“Stay here, I’ll get it for you,” he was worried about Vessel and his nosebleed. He grabbed the big cup. The tendrils of steam warmed his face as he carefully carried it back to Vessel. “Oh, and the sugar,” he had it in one hand, but wasn’t sure how many it was. It felt like too many, which II kind of thought it may be correct if it was just on this side of too much. Vessel’s smile was still there, gorgeous as ever. II went and picked his own coffee up off the bar. He really had no experience with coffee, and just hoped it wasn’t awful. It was rather milky looking, with a layer of foam. 

“I hope you like it,” Vessel was stirring his sugar into the coffee. 

“Do you have a favorite book?” Vessel lit up, and he immediately dove into the topic. As they spoke, it felt as though II had known Vessel forever, and as though he could perhaps have these conversations, and even drink this kind of bitter coffee thing, forever. It felt good, natural. It felt like the friendship he’d struck up with Ivy all those years ago, but better . More. Sweeter . He couldn’t stop smiling, and neither could Vessel. 

“We have to do this again,” II couldn’t help but say. Vessel was nodding immediately. “This has been really, really fun,” II dropped his voice down a touch, hoping that Vessel would catch his rapidly growing interest in going on several other kinds of dates. But if he didn’t catch it, it wasn’t noticeable or creepy. Vessel’s tongue flicked out and wet his lower lip. Jesus fuck, he’s so pretty . 

“It’s still raining. You shouldn’t drive all the way out to wherever you live with just your bike. I live just around the corner. You can just wait it out there. Drive me home?”

Chapter Text

III had nearly chucked his phone across the room when he got a notification that coach_ives had followed him on Instagram. He texted Vessel about it, but got no response. Probably due to Vessel being on an actual literal date. III was still nearly in shock over that, but he was also so proud of Vessel for actually following up on it with II and going out with him. III checked Vessel’s location, and saw that he had gotten II to go to one of his favorite coffee shops. Nice. Good man . He thought for a minute and then III then did something that he wasn’t incredibly proud of, but he had to make sure Vessel did not get stood up, had to make sure Vessel was alright. 

III stood across the street from the coffee shop, and could see Vessel in his favorite chair, by the big bay window. II was across from him, in the opposite chair. III could see Vessel’s heart eyes, and also saw II absolutely mirroring his expression. Vessel’s body language was relaxed, but engaged. II was leaning forward, disgustingly invested in every single word Vessel was saying. It was nauseatingly adorable to III, who definitely wasn’t jealous in the slightest. Why would he be? Pretty boy had followed him back. Though there had been no further activity after that… He checked his phone again, but still nothing. From Ivy anyway. He had about two hundred notifications. When he glanced up again, Vessel and II were outside, in front of the motorcycle that was parked in front of the coffee shop. II was affixing a helmet to Vessel’s head. Never thought I’d see the day where Vessel let someone else drive him. III checked his phone again. 

There was nothing new. Someone tapped his shoulder. 

“Mustache! Twice in one day,” Ives was standing in front of him. “What are you doing? Checking on them?” He flushed, his eyes wide. 

“Uh, no, definitely not. That would be super weird,” 

“Really? I must be super weird then,” III remembered when he had first met Ivy, when Ivy had been the flustered one, and he thought this must be karmic payback for that. “I wanted to make sure II made it safely. He never takes his bike in the rain, but he said he wanted to impress Vessel. If you’re not checking on them, what are you doing here?” 

“You followed me back, finally,” III tried changing the subject. Ivy wouldn’t allow it. 

“It would appear that I also followed you, to the coffee shop, where our best friends are on a date. What are you doing here?” 

“And you called me a dog,” III mumbled. He looked at the ground. No one had ever caught him doing anything he didn’t want to be caught doing before. “How’d you know he’s my best friend?” 

“Well… you were both out at 7:30 this morning, together, running. I don’t think people who aren’t best friends generally do that, but I could be mistaken,” 

“Well, yeah. He is my best friend. This is his favorite coffee shop,” the roar of II’s engine cut III off. III watched. Vessel was plastered to II, likely holding on for dear life, while II’s laugh echoed after his engine. “Guess they’re fine now,” III met Ivy’s eyes. He scrambled for something to say. “Didn’t you say you had a tournament today? What are you doing here?” Ivy’s smile stretched wide over his face. He had one bottom tooth that overlapped another, just slightly, right in front. It was endearing, and III couldn’t help but look at it. 

“Starts in two hours. Figured I had enough time. I’m surprised you remembered,” this is my chance. 

“I’ve never been to a rugby game before,” Ivy looked positively shocked. 

“Well, in that case, cancel whatever plans you had this evening. You’re coming with me, right now,” I can’t believe that worked. III laughed then. 

“Yes, sir,” he threw a mock salute and Ivy’s smile was heartstopping. 

“I’m so fucking pumped now. I love it when someone has never been to a game before,” Ivy grabbed III’s hand and dragged him away from the coffee shop. III didn’t know where Ivy was taking him, but he didn’t really care. III didn’t have any plans to cancel, so he just let Ivy lead him around by his hand. Ivy had calluses that III could feel, and he found that he liked the way Ivy led him. They stopped in front of a tricked out matte black Jeep Wrangler. III looked at it warily. He was not used to SUVs in general, let alone ridiculous and ugly ones. Ivy made a face at him, like “what’s your problem?” and opened the passenger door. 

“What’s the issue, dude? Get in, we’re going,” 

“This…this is yours,” where’s a Mustang when you need it? “It’s…a box,” 

“Yeah? You never seen a cool car before?” Ivy fired back. III stepped back “Get in the fuckin’ car, Mustache, before I put you in it,” 

“Put me in it? I’d like to see you try,” III watched that fire light in Ivy’s eyes, and the man lunged at III immediately. Before III could dodge, Ivy had him in his arms. III was now bridal style in Ivy’s arms, and Ivy was looking at him ever so smugly. 

“Doubt me more often,” he smirked, placed III in the front passenger seat and buckled III in . He then proceeded to ruffle III’s hair, and slam the door. He jogged around to the driver’s side and jumped in. “Ready?” but he threw the box into reverse before III could answer and took off.

Chapter Text

Ives kept glancing over at III while he drove out to the field. After messing with his hair until he was satisfied, III was watching the world go by. But that wasn’t enough, and he opened Ivy’s glove box as well, and began digging around. 

“Why the hell do you have a rubber duck,” III asked, holding up the silly little duck. Ivy couldn’t keep the shit eating grin off of his face. 

“It’s a Jeep thing,” he found III’s reaction to his truck to be absolutely hilarious. He’d never seen a man so put off by a vehicle before. “What do you drive, by the way? Since you seem to hate my truck,” 

“This isn’t a truck,” III put the duck back and closed the glove box. “I drive a Mustang,” 

“Bet it’s one of the shitty new ones,” 

“Do you take me for a fool?”

“Well, go on. What is it then?” 

“1967. Candy red. I’m not an idiot,” there was a grin on III’s face. He loves his car. That, Ivy can relate to. And a vintage Mustang? Mustache may just be his dream girl. “I can’t believe you picked me up,” 

“Light as a feather, babe,” Ivy saw III whip his head to stare at Ivy out of the corner of his eye, and then he realized what he had said. “Er, uh, I mean,”

“Too late. You said it. I’m your babe,” Ivy rolled his eyes as he drove up into the parking lot. 

“Well, in that case, babe , I guess I’ll have to carry my own bag out to the field. Can’t have a babe carrying my shit around, can I?” Ivy cackled and jumped out of his Jeep. He popped the gate, so that he could change into his rugby gear. III also got out and came round to the back while Ivy was standing there in just his underwear. Ives watched III’s light blue eyes cruise down the length of his body, pausing at his crotch, then his tattoo. “Like what you see?” Ivy could not resist taunting III. He was so enjoying their back and forth. III dramatically licked his lip, twirled his mustache and looked up at Ivy. 

“More than you know,” his voice was pitched deeper, rich and full. Ivy felt a hot stone of pure arousal drop down in his stomach. But he did his best to brush it off. He pulled his shorts on. 

“Bold, mustache. Bold,” 

“Always, pretty boy. Now, give me your bag and tell me where to go. I’m your bag boy and cheerleader now,” 

“Never had a cheerleader with a mustache before,” Ivy could not stop smiling. “You’re a lot of fun, aren’t you, mustache?” 

“I think I like it better when you call me babe,” 

“Alright, I’ll make you a deal. Stop calling me pretty boy and I’ll call you babe instead of mustache,” III’s grin seemed permanently etched onto his face. He looked to be having as much fun as Ives was with this ridiculous banter they had going on. 

“But you are pretty, and I never let a compliment go unpaid,” 

“Ives!” one of his teammates shouted down the field, jumping and waving. 

“Alright, c’mon babe. I’ve got to get down for warmup,” Ivy hauled his bags out of the back of his Jeep, set them down on the ground and locked the gate up. III reached down and grabbed the bags before Ivy could. 

“Meant what I said,” III hauled the bag up his long arms. Ivy kind of really liked seeing III draped in his rugby colors. 

“If you like this, I oughta get you your own jersey. Be my cheerleader for real,” another shout rang out across the field, and Ivy took off. III was close behind, but he wasn’t running. Damn long ass legs. 

“Hey, since I’m here, you gotta come to my marathon in a couple of months, don’t you? Tit for tat and all,” Ivy slid into his rugby player mindset and fired back without thinking. 

“Maybe we oughta cut all this foreplay and just fuck, huh, babe?” it was only after he said it that he realized he was serious. 

Chapter Text

“Vessel, hi,” II smiled at him. It was so different from the first time II had smiled at him. There was a knowing tilt to it. That tilt said “I know how you kiss” and it was sort of making Vessel feel like he wanted to kiss him again. 

Having II in his space was making Vessel crazy. II was sitting at his breakfast bar, hands wrapped around Vessel’s favorite mug. Vessel had made the tea for himself, actually, but II had said his hands were cold, so Vessel ordered that he hold the mug to warm them. Vessel felt weird. His stomach kept doing flips, his heart was stuttering and he felt compelled to sit right next to II. He had just been pressed against II, and all he could think about was doing it again. 

“Did you have a good weekend?” Vessel inquired. II’s smile turned into a grin, nearly blinding Vessel with its dazzle. 

“Yeah. Went on a date. Guy was cute. I think I’ll ask him out again,” Vessel felt his eyes go round. 

“You think you will?” excitement shot through Vessel at II’s soft smile and contemplative look. II nodded. Someone came in behind Vessel. 

“Enjoy your workout,” II smiled at Vessel one more time before turning to whoever was behind him. Vessel waltzed off, ready for a workout. Until Ivy caught him and started talking to him. 

Vessel scooted his own stool right next to IIs's. II smiled at him, and it made his heart skip several beats. 

“You honestly have the darkest blue eyes I've ever seen in my life,” II observed. His eyes were the purest version of blue Vessel had ever seen in his life, so he thought it was fitting that II thought his eyes were unique too. 

“Can I kiss you?” The words flew out of Vessel's mouth without anything even resembling permission from his brain. 

“I thought you'd never ask,” II's smile got even wider, if that were possible. 

“Vessel?” II was in front of him. “Hey, sorry, I don't mean to interrupt you, but you've been staring into space for a full twenty minutes,” II's eyebrows were furrowed, gentle concern painted over his face. His hand was on Vessel's knee. 

“S-sorry,” the object of his daydream was directly in front of him and his heart had started up in a crazy rhythm again. 

“S'okay, love. Just wanted to make sure you're okay. You are, right?” 

“I'm okay, thank you,” Vessel wondered if he could kiss II right now. He looked exceptionally kissable. 

“I'll text you. Get back to your workout,” 

“Yes, sir,” Vessel winked when II's cheeks turned bright pink. II then actually giggled . Vessel wondered if it was possible for a man's heart to stop three times in as many minutes.

Chapter Text

Vessel's lips were so soft against II's. II wanted more, so much, so badly. He slid one hand up into Vessel's hair and felt him shiver against II. II wasn't sure what sort of shiver it was, so he paused and looked at Vessel. Vessel. Lips glossy with spit, eyes so dark they could have been mistaken for black, flushed cheeks, nose dusted with freckles. 

“You're excruciatingly adorable,” II breathed. Vessel’s breath was coffee and tea. It had never been something II had thought would be nice, but because it was Vessel he thought he could get used to it. There was something like fear on Vessel though. So II put a stop to everything. “But I don't put out on the first date, love. You'll have to get to know me first,” II watched Vessel relax immediately. Noted. Take it slow. Vessel shifted backwards and the light caught his hair. II also shifted back, and tucked his hair behind his ear. 

“Get to know you? What a nightmare. Tell me everything ,” Vessel folded his hands under his chin and grinned. II could have gotten lost in his gaze forever. 

Vessel had been staring at the floor for twenty minutes, turning pinker with each tick of the clock. II knew he shouldn't do anything while someone is working out, but he couldn't possibly just let Vessel blow his entire workout time. II went over, said Vessel’s name twice and watched him not hear a thing. He touched Vessel's knee. His head swept up and II was paralyzed by the depth and clarity of his gaze. He couldn't wait to text Vessel again. He nearly asked him out then and there. As he walked away, he looked back one more time. Vessel was watching him, grinning.

“Hey, wait,” Vessel called. He walked back to Ves. 

“Yeah, love?” 

“Did you know III went to Ivy's rugby game?” 

“No, what? He did? Tell me everything you know right now,” II crouched, intent to hear every word Vessel had to say. 

“Well… III won't talk about it. So either it went really poorly, or really well,” II's head was spinning. Ivy hadn't said a single word to him about his rugby game. He didn't even know if they'd won or lost. That's suspicious as fuck . 

Chapter Text

Rugby is so fucking cool. III was watching Ivy's every move. Ives was shouting, sprinting, catching, running and tackling, and all of it looked effortless and light. He'd never been so glad to have been quasi abducted and taken somewhere he'd never have known to go on his own. They did…something. And they all went into an uproar, cheering and tackling each other. A cheer left III as well, though he wasn't even sure what it was for. Ivy seemed to have heard it, because he looked over in III's direction and grinned. He did the thing that guys do on the TV all the time, pointing at III before diving back into the game. A stupid grin remained on III's face. 

The sun was going down, and the game seemed to be almost over, but III couldn't be sure. A man with a young kid had packed their chairs and walked away a minute or two prior, so III thought that meant the game might have been over soon. III was starting to wish he had more than his little rain coat. He shivered. Ivy's shout rang down the field again, this time calling for III. 

“Mustache!!” He was jogging toward III and III had to fight to keep his jaw from hitting the ground. He was covered in sweat, blondy brown hair plastered to his forehead and spattered with mud. A mud stain also splattered artfully up his thigh, where his shorts were bunched up tightly. Those thighs were flexing hard as he ran, and he was grinning. III didn't feel the chill looking at that grin. It was devilish, charged with adrenaline and almost a little naughty. “Hey, babe, I can see you shivering from across the field,” he rearranged the bags, shuffled and ended up bent at the waist in front of III. That ass . His leg muscles were completely pumped up, his ass was a genuinely perfect peach and III could not look away. Ivy turned and then III couldn't see anything. Something was covering his entire face. He grabbed it and pulled it away. A sweatshirt. Ivy's sweatshirt. III looked back up at Ivy. 

“Thanks, peaches,” III slid right into the sweatshirt and immediately felt better. It smelled like laundry, which smelled like home, and III inhaled deeply. Ivy was watching him. 

“Is that better, babe?” III nodded. 

“I didn't realize it was obvious I was cold,” 

“Well, we're almost done. I'll warm you up soon,” Ivy winked and jogged back into the game. III was more than happy to snuggle into Ivy's sweatshirt and watch the man get dirty and sweaty and…III pulled the sweatshirt down over his crotch. He had to do something about this mind shattering desire he had for the guy on the field. He's just strong and so competent and watching him do something he so clearly loves was turning III on to the nth degree. 

Ivy's team scored as the timer went off. III had moved off the bleachers and was standing near them. Those bleachers were terrible for his posture. Once again, they all gathered around one another and were screaming and cheering and Ivy's face surfaced from the crowd for a moment, joy written across it in a way that made III's own mouth stretch back out into a grin. Ivy was sprinting toward him again, cheering and shouting. He barreled into III and grabbed III before III could even brace for impact. Ivy had him, and he fucking dipped III like a bride. His eyes were lit up, he smelled like sweat and metal, and then Ivy's lips were smashed against III so aggressively it was almost uncomfortable. III unraveled into the kiss completely, melting in Ivy's strong, sweaty hold. Ivy's hand spread out along III's back, stabilizing him as his head spun. All of the blood in his body rushed south, so fast he didn't think he could see if his eyes were open. Ivy pulled back, holding III, and was bright pink. He was breathing as hard as he had been during the game. 

“If I give you my keys, will you go start the Jeep and wait for me?” He was talking practically right into III's mouth, and III wanted to swallow his every word. 

“Only if you don't make me wait til we get to one of our houses,” III winked. Ivy stood him upright and then vanished, back near his bag. A bright flash of metal came flying at him and III barely moved in time to catch the keys. 

“I promise you won't have to wait long, babe,” the words dripped warm desire down III's throat and he nearly tripped over himself running back to Ivy's car.

Chapter Text

Ivy sprinted. He was flat out running, thinking of exactly what awaited him in his Wrangler. His bag was swinging around, almost slowing him down. He hadn't had a single thought sprinting off the field other than celebrating, and that had manifested in him kissing III as aggressively as he could. He'd just barely come to terms with the fact that he wanted this man in his bed, and he wasn't about to wait for him to realize that he was the off brand version of II. He was going to take III to heaven. Now. Or the back of his Jeep. Whichever came first. It's gonna be III if I get my way. His thoughts were running as fast as his legs. He finally made it to his Jeep and ripped the gate open, flinging his bag into the trunk. III lunged at him, swinging around the gate and cornering him against the body of the jeep. 

“III,” His voice came out almost wrecked, heavy with desire. III was wrapped around him, caging Ivy with his body. 

“IV,” III returned the tone, tenor and energy. His face was against Ivy's, and Ivy wanted to pull all of the air he exhaled right into his own mouth. Ivy flung his hand out, scrabbling along the back of his backseat before finding the release. The whole bench flung toward the front of the vehicle, rocking it with the force. 

“Get in,” he kissed the corner of III's mustache. III didn't move. “I mean, unless you want to wait the forty minutes it takes to get to my place,” III moved. Ivy followed, hands on III's thighs. He pushed those thighs wide, making room so he could sit between III's legs. His hands ran patterns down III's legs. III, the fucking minx, wrapped a leg around Ivy's lower back and pulled. Ivy happily surged forward, the material of his shorts sliding against III's jeans and causing vibrations to run down the length of Ivy's dick. Heat and hardness was rubbing right against him, and III's hands were in his hair. He slid his hands down around III's cute little ass and yanked. He pulled all of III, who really was light as a feather, against him so that he could keep both feet on the ground. 

“I've wanted this…” III panted, dragging a line of wet, open mouth kisses down Ivy's throat. Goosebumps blossomed, but Ivy wasn't sure if it was from desire or from III’s mustache. Ivy was feeling everything at a heightened level. He was full of adrenaline, and really wanted to just get anything from III that he could. III's hands were everywhere. Squeezing his ass, running up his back, rucking his jersey up to trace over his belly. Ivy was amped up. He couldn't stop running his hands anywhere he could reach, almost mirroring III. The familiar fabric of his sweatshirt, wrapped around the object of his desire, was driving him to push up against III harder. His hips were pumping, rubbing his dick against III's, in an almost mindless manner. He realized he was actually chasing an orgasm, and started to slow down. III wasn't having it. He kept moving, increasing the friction against Ivy. 

“Shit, God, you feel so fucking good,” he kissed III again, nipping at III's lower lip and making him gasp. Ivy used the opportunity, sliding his tongue against III's and making III sing. A high pitched, needy, bitchy little moan coming from III had Ivy humping against him like a mutt. Oh my god, wait. Shit. I'm gonna cum. “Hell, stop, slow down, just…one second,” 

“I don't wanna,” III groaned, burying his head against Ivy's throat. He bucked his hips one more time and Ivy. 

“Baby, please, I'm gonna cum if you don't give me a second,” III then bit into his throat and slammed forward, erratic and scrambled. Big hands wrapped around Ivy's ass once again as III jerked Ivy's hips more firmly into his own. III then froze.

“Shit,” III whispered into Ivy's throat. Ivy pulled back a bit to look at III. He was pretty sure he knew what had just happened, but he wasn't certain. III avoided his eyes, looking at the ground. “Um…m'sorry…” 

“Sorry? Do you not want to…,” it might be cruel, but he wanted to hear III say it. 

“No, I just…um…,” III's hand ran down Ivy's arm, grabbing his hand and guiding it to the front of his jeans. “Um…sorry. It just. You just. It felt really good ,” Ivy could feel that his jeans were damp. He could also feel that III was pretty damn big. He wanted that in his mouth. 

“Baby… did you..?” III pulled his head back up, and his face was fully red. He nodded, and made a little noise. Ivy tried to, but couldn't stop the smile from taking over his face. An idea popped into his head, a way to get III in his bed. “Can I tempt you into coming to my place to clean up?” III nodded in response. 

“Um…do you have pants I could borrow?” III's voice was small, adorable. Ivy grinned more. He couldn't help it. Around III, his cheeks hurt because he was smiling so often. 

“Yeah, babe,” he pulled back so III could shuffle out of his way. 

“Also I'm keeping your sweatshirt,” III giggled, and then spoke again. “Thanks for kidnapping me,” 

“It was fun. I'm glad you came,” a shiteating grin on his face, he turned back to III with sweats in his hand. III was staring. Stone faced. Indignation written on his face. “Uh…too far?” Then III cracked up, cackling to the sky. He looked so beautiful, Ivy wasn't sure he was breathing. He was disheveled, in Ivy's sweatshirt and cum stained jeans, laughing. I could fall in love with him . Ivy's eyes went wide at the thought, and he shifted.

“Alright, very funny. I'm just gonna...uh... is there a bathroom?” 

“Oh, uh, it's locked this late. Just stand behind the gate, angle it like this,” Ivy adjusted the gate so that it would hide III while he put on the sweats. He thought about trying to see, but decided against It. 

“Err…okay,” III sounded unsure but he could hear him shuffling around behind the gate. Ivy averted his eyes only because he could see just how embarrassed III had become from cumming so quickly. It was seriously adorable, but III didn't seem to think so. “Okay, I'm done. Can we go to yours now?” 

“You're in my clothes,” that was doing things to Ivy's brain. III was in his clothes. 

“Yeah, I guess I am,” III laughed. “I'm cold. Can we go?” 

“‘Course, babe,” 

The drive was pretty long. But III kept telling Ivy stuff. He was on Ivy's phone, selecting songs. He showed Ivy a band, Alpha Wolf, that Ivy really liked. 

“Vessel stole my hoodie of theirs, and I haven't seen it in two years,” III tried to sound annoyed. It didn't really work, but Ivy understood. 

They finally pulled up to Ivy's place. Small. Bricks. Clean. It was home for him. Had been for years now. 

“Are you hungry? I could make you something if you wanted,” Ivy offered into the dark silence of his Jeep, now turned off. 

“You can cook?” 

“A bit. Mostly easy stuff. Like stir fry. I've got some flank steak I really need to use… if you like beef and broccoli?” 

“That sounds amazing,” III nearly moaned. It reminded Ivy that he had not cum, and his dick was perking right up at the noise. Together they went inside. Ivy threw his bag down and cornered III in the entryway. “Hi,” III smiled down at Ivy, who was pressed up against him. “Need something?” III looked down that beautiful aquiline nose at him, and Ivy just couldn’t help himself. He lunged, swooping down and throwing III over his shoulder. 

“You’re coming with me,” he marched III down the hall and into his bedroom. He threw III down on the bed and crawled up on top of him. III was grinning like the Cheshire cat. 

“I think I know what you want,” and III moved faster than Ivy was processing. He grabbed Ivy’s hips, and flipped them both so that Ivy was against the bed. “D’you like. Well. Can I suck your dick?” III asked, point blank. Ivy’s eyes rolled back in his head at the blunt question, because all he could think of was that hot mouth around his dick. “C’mon pretty boy. I wanna make those eyes roll back again,” 

“Y-yeah. Okay,” he lifted his hips and III ripped his rugby shorts down. “I’m sweaty though,” 

“Perfect,” III ran a finger just under the waistband of his boxer briefs. He leaned down and ran his nose over the ridge of Ivy’s cock, still trapped. Ivy could hear him inhale, and his dick had its own heartbeat now. He could hear a noise, and when III looked back up at him, he realized it was him . He had whined. Jesus . Then III ripped his underwear down. Just a second later, heat engulfed the head of his dick. He groaned, pushing his hands into III’s hair and pulling. 

“Shit, I’ve wanted to pull your hair so bad,” and he did pull. III hummed, driving vibrations up Ivy’s dick. Tightness gathered in his belly. Shit. Shit. “What is it about you? I’m so close already,” he mused aloud. With that, III took all of Ivy into his mouth, into his throat and swallowed. Once. Twice. III looked up, meeting Ivy’s eyes. Big sea glass eyes had Ivy going absolutely crazy. Ivy did not stop himself from fucking into III’s throat as he began to cum. Stars burst behind his eyes. A hand was against his, and he automatically loosened his grip on III’s hair. It was soft. III swallowed again, and his nerves started to spark, oversensitive. III eased him out of his throat. Long fingers wiped at the corner of III’s mouth. Ivy was entranced. III put his middle and ring finger against his tongue, cleaning the spit and cum off. He flashed that grin that had first infuriated Ivy. 

“You said something about dinner?”

Chapter Text

Vessel's front door opened not five minutes after he'd walked in it himself. It was III, poking his head in. 

“Hey, III,” he called out, so that III wouldn't leave. 

“Oh, you're here, good,” III came into his kitchen and started making coffee. “How was your weekend?” III was acting suspicious, not looking at Vessel. 

“It was good. What'd you do? Ives?” he snickered, especially when III threw a devious grin over his shoulder at Vessel. “Oh, you did do Ives, huh?” 

“You went on a date with II, right?” 

“Yes. You know that, you stalker,” Vessel had seen III checking up on him, and had seen Ives standing next to him as well. “You went to his game, right?” 

“You always see too much, Ves,” III turned around, sitting at his breakfast bar so he could look at Vessel. III took in a dramatic breath and then opened his mouth. “So what if I did ‘do’ Ivy, anyway?” Vessel’s curiosity sparked. He had just been gossiping with II not twenty minutes ago, both of them speculating on this very thing. 

“So, you did ,” He leaned over the breakfast bar, folding his hands underneath his chin and grinning at III. “Spill,” III took a sip of coffee and met Vessel’s gaze. A wide, satisfied, mischievous grin spread across III’s face. 

“What do you want to know?” III also leaned forward, resting his cheek in his palm. III was close to Vessel, and it reminded him of kissing II. Something he’d so badly wanted to do again this morning. He really wanted to take things slow, wanted to properly date II before taking him to bed. But having another attractive man mere inches from his face was reminding him of just how badly he wanted II in his bed. 

“Well… do I need to make tea for this? Because honestly I want every single detail,” III nodded and grinned. He immediately began making tea. In just three minutes he was back, mug in hand, waiting for III to start talking. 

“I think he won his game. But, bleachers are hilariously uncomfortable and I was so cold. Oh, actually, he came off the field at one point and gave me a sweatshirt. He smells like laundry,” Vessel knew just how much III liked the smell of fresh laundry. It made him feel safe, he’d told Vessel. “He drives this ridiculous box of a car, a fucking Wrangler. Who drives a Wrangler ? They’re ludicrous. But he loves it, and the trunk has some space when you flip the back seats up,” 

“And why did you flip the back seats up?” 

“Doesn’t matter. He did take me home,” 

“Why’d you flip the back seats up, III?” Vessel had sensed that something had happened that III wanted to gloss over. “Gotta be something good with how fast you’re trying to blow by it,” 

“Ugh, no, nothing. We just got a little hot and heavy is all, but then he decided he wanted to take me to his house, after I changed,” Vessel furrowed his brow and III covered his mouth. “Uh, I mean, after he changed,” but Vessel caught it. 

“III, why did you have to change?” III mumbled something. “What?” 

“I…might have cuminmypants,” he mumbled a bit louder. Vessel heard him. 

“He’s that good, huh?” III’s eyes rolled back in his head. 

“Oh, Vessel, you have no idea. I could be in that man’s bed seven days a week and not get enough. He begs . He begs and whines and is so fucking messy. He picked me up twice. Once he stuffed me in his Jeep, but when he had me at his house, he threw me over his shoulder and then tossed me onto his bed. He’s so strong , he didn’t even breathe hard when he was literally throwing me around . But I gave it back good. I got him under me,” III was gazing at the countertop now, obviously reminiscing about whatever had transpired the other night. 

“You got him under you?” Vessel prompted, when III had been silent for several minutes. III looked up from the counter with half lidded eyes and a disgustingly self satisfied smirk. 

“I sucked that man’s soul out. He has such a fat fucking cock, dude. I nearly choked, and he was using my hair like handlebars. He came really quick too, and then he made me dinner, isn’t that just nuts. He’s not half bad at the cooking thing either, but he likes his beef a bit more on the rare side, which was mildly off putting,” 

“It’s not his fault you’re a freak that likes steak medium well ,” 

“Oh, how fucking dare you, you fucking vampire. You like your cow still walking , it’s so disgusting,” 

“Rare is not still walking . I’m going to talk to Ives about this, see if he can make you understand,” Vessel always ended up arguing with III about steak. It was their most contentious disagreement. 

“Ugh, you are impossible ,” III threw his hands up. Vessel scoffed. But then he dropped it. 

“So, you got that man in your bed…or his bed. But, I think I went on my date first,” 

“You did, but, I still fucked him first,” 

“I’m not going to fuck him. I’m going to make him see stars, after he falls in love with me,” Vessel laughed. He was sure that he was already halfway in love with II. He could only hope II felt even an ounce of the same. 

“Oh, after he falls in love with you, of course,” III was laughing too. “When do you think you’ll go out with him again?” 

“I think I want to take him on a real date. Probably to a steakhouse,” he couldn’t help himself. 

“Careful, he might not want to date a vampire,” III snickered. They lapsed into a conversation about what they would be doing this week. Vessel told III about a gig he’d gotten for Saturday. III updated him on marathon training. III also showed him how many followers that III had gained over the last two weeks. Vessel’s phone vibrated on the counter. III peered at it. 

“Oh, it’s II,” Vessel lunged for his phone.

Chapter Text

II watched his personal trainer best friend, who he had not heard from in two days, saunter into the gym at about 9:30 AM. His hood was up, and he was slinking around like he didn’t want to be seen. 

“IV!” II thundered as he stalked across the gym. “Where have you been?” 

“At home,” IV retorted. II was pissed off, especially after hearing that III had attended IV’s game. 

“I haven't heard from you in two days, IV! What the hell! You didn't even ask how my date went! You're the one who caused it! Where have you been!” IV finally turned around to look at II. IV had an iced coffee in hand, glazed eyes and was clearly trying to keep a grin off his face. II searched for any other sign of what the hell happened. Like a line of dark, mouth shaped bruises…hickies. Hickies and he couldn't have been bothered to return my texts. “Who did you spend the weekend with?” the smile that ripped across IV’s face nearly made II forget he was mad. For a second. Then he remembered. 

“Why? Jealous?” Ivy sipped his coffee. 

“Jealous? You’re an idiot, IV. I was worried about you. And you were… what? Fucking around?” 

“Woah. Watch your language there, it almost sounded like you care,” rage. II hated it when Ivy hid something behind a facade of aloofness. He was tired. 

“Ives… dude… I just worry about you, okay? You don’t have to be a dick. You could have just let me know you were with someone,” Ivy always did this when he was afraid to tell II something. “Was it III? You know I’m not going to get mad, he’s not even a member of the gym. And I’m dating a member of the gym,”

“You’re dating him now?” they walked into the staff offices, and Ivy began getting ready to teach a yoga class. 

“W-well. Yeah, I think. I mean. We’re going to go out again. I kissed him. Or, well, um, he kissed me,” II thought about how cute Vessel had been. Even this morning, when they had been talking. He was just so sweet, so cute. II wanted to squeeze him. 

“Yeah, III and I kissed too,” jealousy reared its ugly head. 

“You guys are whores,” 

“Yeah? Explains why he’s so good at it all,” Ivy cackled. “C’mon, II. Don’t be mad. Just get your man,” 

“I want to date him. I don’t want to just fuck him,” 

“Hey! I don’t want to just fuck Mustache either,” Ivy seemed to think about it for a moment. “Well, I’d definitely like to do that again,” 

“O kay ! I get it. You sealed the deal. But do you know anything about him? Are you going to take him on a date?” 

“Dude, you know that never works out for me. No matter how much I want it. They just want me for a night. I’m fine with it,” Ivy rolled his eyes. This was the thing that II hated the most about Ivy. He was always thinking no one truly wanted him . His ex had done that.  

“Hey man. He’s not Roxy. If you want to, you should go for it. I know Vessel, and if he thinks III is a good friend, I think that III will be better for you. If you want to. I think you’re just holding back,” 

“I didn’t ask for a psychoanalysis,” Ivy stared at II. He’d nailed it, that was exactly what Ivy was afraid of. “And it’s only a matter of time before he realizes you’re… you,” 

“He’s not Roxy, dude. He likes you . He’s known me the exact same amount of time he’s known you, and he’s never taken his eyes off of you,” Ivy sighed. He threw a shoe backwards. 

“I don’t want to talk about this, II,” 

“Fine. Go on a date with him though. Give him a real chance. You both deserve more than just one night,” 

“Why would I do that? Just to set myself up for heartbreak? It doesn’t matter how much I’d love to take him on a picnic, or see him watch a planetarium show, or go to a concert with him. We had sex. That was it,” 

“I highly doubt that. He’s been pining after you for weeks. He wants you to go to his marathon, doesn’t he? Why don’t you just keep talking to him and see what happens. If you’re really worried about it, I’ll ask Vessel to loop III in,” 

“If he texts me again, I’ll.. I don’t know. I guess I’ll try, but only if he shows interest. I don’t want to set myself up for it again,” II sighed. He was so sad for Ivy, for his desire to protect himself to the point of missing out on relationships. “I’m going to teach yoga now. Do not tell Vessel a thing. I can handle myself,” Ivy left the room and II pulled his phone out. He just… couldn’t help but think that III could be good for Ivy. He sent a quick text to Vessel. 

Is III going to ask IV out?  Vessel replied less than a minute later, in four consecutive text messages. 

He already has

Ives hasn’t replied yet

He sent it on IG

since Ives won’t give him his phone number 

Dammit IV!

Chapter Text

“No, Vessel, I swear I sent him a DM an hour ago. See, it’s right here,” III pulled his Instagram messages up and showed Vessel. Vessel nodded, pressing his lips together and going back to texting II. “If he doesn’t reply in like an hour, you’re taking me to the gym, or I’ll go myself,” 

“Oh, I can’t. I have to get ready for-,” 

“Right. Sorry, I don’t mean to cut you off. But I won’t have him thinking I’m ignoring him after we slept together. I might be a whore, but-” 

“You’re not a whore. You just know what you want,” Vessel cut him off. 

“I’m going up there,” III squared his shoulders and grabbed his keys off Vessel’s counter. “We had an amazing night and I want at least a reasonable nine hundred and sixty seven more,” 

“Very reasonable,” Vessel smiled. 

“Good luck tonight, V. I know you’ll kill it,” III used his lucky nickname for Vessel, hoping it would stay with him for later. “I’m taking him out. Tonight,” he spun and walked out of Vessel’s house. Determination lined his limbs. He was almost upset, because II was texting his best friend, checking up on him , because his potential boyfriend wouldn’t turn on his IG notifications for shit. He slid into his Mustang. The scent of old leather enveloped him, and he smiled automatically. I’m going to go up there and be perfectly reasonable. I’m not asking for much. I just want… his phone number. That’s normal. Showing up at a guy’s place of work to get a phone number because he won’t reply to my DMs. Normal as hell. Yeah. I’ve got this. He pulled into the lot, hearing his engine rumble off the wall of the building. Ivy was inside. He just had to walk in there, without Vessel. Totally cool. No big deal. 

“III?” II was behind the desk. He smiled, a little confused. III could immediately see why Vessel wanted to be with him. He was just… inviting. His face was inviting, and sweet. “Is uh… is Vessel with you?” 

“Oh, you are down bad for him aren’t you?” it was good to see, because Vessel was also clearly so into II. “You guys will be in love by October,” II sighed dreamily and he cocked an eyebrow. 

“Ahem. Uh, well. How can I help you? You finally here to get a membership of your own?” 

“I need to take Ivy on a date. Like. Right now. He won’t respond to me, or give me his phone number,” 

“So… you thought you’d show up here?” II laughed. “Ivy is teaching right now, but it should end in a few minutes. Do you want to sit in the office, so you can have a minute with him when he gets out?” 

“Only if you know his phone passcode,” 

“Oh, yeah, it’s twenty seven sixty four,” III grinned at II and II led him into the office so he could wait for Ivy. It occurred to him that he didn’t really have a plan, other than breaking back into Ivy’s phone and texting himself. After doing that, he thought about what he would say to Ivy. He didn’t have more than twenty seconds before the door opened again. It was Ivy. For some stupid reason, III nearly stood up and then sort of flopped back down on the chair. It must have looked like a dumb little jerky motion. 

“Mustache!” Ivy’s surprise was clear. 

“I DM’d you,” was the only thing he could even think to say. “Er. I mean. Hi,” Ivy’s eyebrows were in his hairline. 

“Hi, babe,” Ivy stayed near the door. “I don’t have my notifications on,” 

“I want you to be my boyfriend,” III blurted out what he’d DM’d Ivy with. “That’s… that’s what I said in the DM. I had a lot of fun with you, and I wanna do it again. If…if you want to,” shyness overwhelmed him, and he looked at the floor. 

“Did II put you up to this?” the question caught him off guard. 

“What? II? What’s he got to do with anything?” 

“Um, nothing, I guess. Sorry. Boyfriend? That’s kind of serious, isn’t it,” 

“Well, um, it doesn’t have to be that serious. But… I wanna like. Do stuff with you,” he doesn’t want to be my boyfriend. And why’d he bring II up? 

“Y’mean it?” was Ivy’s response. 

“Yeah, I fuckin’ mean it. I wouldn’t just. Say that. I wanna be your boyfriend. But, you don’t want that,” he trailed off. He heard Ivy moving around. He was way closer now, stepping right into III’s space. 

“I wanna do it again too, then. If you mean it,” 

“You’re kinda hung up on me meaning it. I’ll prove it to you right now. I’ll take you on a real date and everything. When do you get off work?” 

“5:30,” 

“Okay, I’ll be here at 5:30 to pick you up,” shit, I have got to find something cool to do between now and then. 

“What will we be doing?” Ivy’s question felt like a test. III figured out what to say in a split second.  

“What do you like to do, peaches?” he called Ivy by the nickname, hoping to bring some brevity. 

“I’ve always wanted to go to a planetarium show,” planets? Well, I can do that. 

“Well, then we’re going to a planetarium show tonight. I’ll get tickets,” this was the weirdest way III had ever asked someone out, and he thought that Ivy might actually be really put off by it, but he was going to take this beautiful boy to a show about planets and show him a good, weird, fun time. “I’ll take you to get dinner too. Do you like gyros? I know a great place,” 

“I love gyros,” Ivy was smiling now. He’d been nervous and wary when he’d first come into the office, but he seemed on board to go out with III tonight. Ivy’s smile was making his heart squeeze a bit. “See you at 5:30 then?” 

“I’ll be here at 5:30. I’ll show you a real car,” Ivy scoffed. 

“Get the hell out of my office. Real car. How dare you. I’ll see you tonight,” Ivy smacked his ass. III was grinning hard. He set out to get a date with Ivy and he succeeded on getting a whole damn date with Ivy. He texts Vessel. 

I got my date 

Now he just had to figure out what to do with his hair.

Chapter Text

At 5:24, Ivy watched the bright red Mustang slide into the lot. At 5:26, he watched III stride into the gym on long confident legs. Legs that had been wrapped around him not three days ago. At 5:27, he watched III chat animatedly with II, little braided buns bobbing when he spoke. By 5:28, he couldn't focus and dismissed the class. He slithered into the back office, hoping III hadn't seen him. He slid into the nicest clothes he had on hand, which was just jeans and a black shirt. At 5:31, Ivy gathered his bag and walked toward III. III was in pants that were almost casual, but almost dressy at the same time. He had a black button down with dark gold designs on as well and Ivy knew he was underdressed. 

“Should I go home and change?” III turned to him and checked him out. Those pretty blue eyes slid up and down Ivy's body in a slow observation. 

“Nah, you look good,” III grinned. He stepped forward then and enveloped Ivy in his long arms. “I'm happy you said yes,” III whispered into Ivy's hair. It was sweet, III looked romantic and Ivy could feel his anxiety rising. This is gonna hurt , he realized. “Are you alright?” III asked when he looked at him again. 

“Uh, yeah, totally,” II was looking at him now. 

“III, can I please steal Ives for just a moment?” II had a warm, firm smile on his face as he guided Ivy back into the office for a second. The smile dropped from II’s face. 

“I can see the self sabotage glimmering behind your eyes. You promised you'd give this a shot if III was interested. Which, he IS! He literally showed up here because you didn't reply to an Instagram message . I don't know what you learned when you were in school, but if you genuinely think III is going to hurt you, you need to get your money back. A banana could intuit that he likes you. A BANANA!” II tapered off on his tirade. He ran a hand through his hair and Ivy could see just how tired he was of his shit. 

“Alright. Alright. I just… it's hard. Ever since she-” 

“She's gone. She didn't want you. He does . Go get him, go on this date and just have fun. Please. For you,” he looked at II. And nodded. 

“Okay, fine. Just this once,” at that, II rolled his eyes. 

“Yeah and I'm only ever going to go on one date with Vessel. Fuck off, man,” Ivy took that as a dismissal and walked back out to where III was waiting. 

“Did he give you the safe sex lecture?” III laughed. He then offered his arm out and Ivy threaded his arm through. 

“No, he thinks I'm in my head about this,” 

“Oh, don't worry. I'm not a first date you need to be jittery about. We're just going for gyros and then I'm taking you to a planet show,” planet show ? 

“Sounds great, honestly,” Ivy inhaled and tried to push all the bad thoughts away. III led him out to the red Mustang. III opened the door for him and cupped his head as he got in, so he didn't bang it on the door. That act kind of made Ivy's heart melt into a puddle of goo. III walked around to the driver’s side. While he did that, Ivy inhaled the scent of old leather. And something sweet like vanilla. III was next to him, and started the car. It roared, almost as loud as II's bike. 

“So, what do you think?” III asked, turning toward Ivy. 

“Of..?” 

“The car! Her name is Candy,” 

“Oh, cuz of the color? Um. She's cute,” Ivy replied, awkwardly using the vehicle's pronouns as III had. III grinned. He was always grinning. It made Ivy's chest feel tight. III leaned over and kissed Ivy's cheek. 

“Thanks, peaches. Let's go get some food. I'm starving,” III threw the car in drive and took off on one of the most harrowing rides of Ivy's life. III clearly knew his car, and knew exactly how to drive with a perfect carelessness that terrified Ivy. When they arrived at the restaurant unscathed, Ivy wondered if he should kiss the ground.

“Wait here, I'll open your door,” III jumped out of the vehicle and came around to open Ivy's door. It was romantic. Just. Plain. Romantic. Ivy could feel his fear about this fading. III was just so kind, he was starting to see why II yelled at him. I am not going to let Roxy ruin another good thing . Ivy resolved as III opened the door. 

Dinner went by quickly. III was a talker, and Ivy loved to listen. He peppered III with questions so that he would continue. He was almost soothed by III’s voice, animated and happy. It was nice. Things felt… normal for the first time since she’d told him she was leaving him for his best friend. He still remembered II calling him to say he’d thrown her out onto the street, and that he’d never do that to him. He still remembered everything afterward. Crying in II’s arms for days. 

“Ivy?” III broke into his thoughts. “You’ve been staring,” shit . 

“Ah, sorry, babe. You’re just so nice to look at,” III turned pink. He bit his lip. 

“Well, the show is going to start soon. Are you ready to go?” Ivy nodded. Now he was excited. A real planetarium! Excitement shot through him as III took his hand to walk to the car. 

The walk to the auditorium was lined with giant, sparkling rocks. III pointed at one, tugging Ivy to the side to look at it. 

“This one matches your eyes! It’s a..um.. Paraiba tourmaline,” III read, and looked back at Ivy, clearly pleased with his find. Ivy thought his heart was going to combust. He couldn’t take III being any sweeter. 

“The one next to it matches your eyes,” he pointed out, to distract from how hot his face was getting. He was actually starting to feel guilty about all the negative things he’d thought about today. III was kind of oblivious to all the darkness in his head, and guided him away again. They were almost to the auditorium, when the floor changed to a plush, squishy carpet that Ivy could feel even with his shoes on. “This floor is nice,” 

“Super squishy. Are you excited for the show?” an attendant asked as they approached the doors. “Kinda quiet in there tonight, but we’re still going to show you the heavens,” just like I showed him the other day . Ivy giggled at his own thought. 

“What are you giggling about?” III asked, again right in his space. His mouth hovered near Ivy’s ear, damn height difference. 

“Nothin,” he whispered back. They found their seats. The show was projected onto the circular ceiling. It showed them what they would be seeing through the telescope in twenty five minutes, and then showed about two thousand years worth of constellations. Ivy was getting more and more excited. He was going to be looking through a real telescope. Once the show ended, they followed the small group down several hallways, including one that had a bunch of pulley and lever systems, like a big Rube Goldberg machine. They must have crossed half a mile before finding the actual planetarium. Once Ivy saw the telescope, he looked up at III. Man it’s actually really nice to look up at someone. He knew he was smiling ear to ear. 

“Thank you,” III shrugged and smiled again. 

“It was nothing,” Ivy wished he could explain that it was kind of everything.

Chapter Text

It was just Vessel tonight for boxing. Ives strolled in about five minutes before, while Vessel was fussing with hand wraps to stabilize his wrists for punching. 

“Hey, Ives, do my wraps look okay?” 

“I'll look in a second, just need to put my bag down,” Vessel wanted to ask Ivy about a million questions about the date with III the other day. III had briefly texted him about it but he hadn't been able to get any details. He refrained. He thought that Ives was his friend, but they'd never talked much. He was more of a teacher than anything. 

“I can see the steam coming out of your ears. What are you thinking so hard about?” Ivy asked, hands readjusting Vessel's wraps. Man, I wish II were here. 

“Um. Just, form stuff. I think I need some help with my stance,” chicken shit. 

“Well, since it's just you, we can work on anything you like,” Vessel thought about it for a second. Conversation can come later. He actually was really enjoying these classes and he didn't want to let his worries get in the way. 

“Okay, well, I'm not sure about this ,” and Vessel tried to settle into a stance, but he knew there was something weird about it. Ivy circled him, looking up and down at his entire form. 

“Can I touch you to reposition you?” 

“Oh, sure,” Ivy proceeded to tap Vessel's knee from the back so it popped out even with his toe, and tucked his elbows closer into his body. 

“How's that feel?” But before Vessel could answer, Ivy moved his leg again, repositioning him in a way that felt way more stable. 

“Better,” 

“Your legs weren't quite far enough apart, which would lead to you being easier to topple,” Vessel nodded in understanding. “So, do you think you'll go out with II again?” Was Ivy feigning disinterest? Vessel couldn't quite tell. 

“I'd like to. I think we've both just been a bit busy. Why do you ask?” 

“Well, because I went out with your guy, III, the other day,” 

“And how'd that go?” Where the fuck is he going with this? 

Ivy threw a punch. Vessel blocked. He threw a return punch. 

“It was good. But I don't know if we're going to go out again,” 

“No?” Fuck, that'll break III's heart . “You'll break his heart if you tell him that,” 

“Break his heart? We went on one date,” oh what is this? Vessel rolled his eyes. 

“Yeah, and he told me he wanted a, quote unquote, “very reasonable nine hundred and sixty seven more”. If you ask him out, he'll be at your door within an hour,” 

“Why isn't he here with you?”

“Oo, careful now. Sounds like you like him,” Vessel teased. Ivy flushed red to his roots. “Oh, you do like him, like, a lot, don't you?” Ivy mumbled and then threw a more vicious punch into Vessel's kidney. 

“Never leave your sides unguarded,” 

“Fine. He's not here because his marathon is in 2 weeks,” 

“Why does he do that to himself, run marathons?”

“If you ask him, he'll tell you,” Ives just nodded then, clearly sick of Vessel shoving him toward III. “Look, it's not my place to say why . It's sad. And if you guys are gonna go out, you should show interest in him anyway. Or he'll think you don't like him. None of this is my place, But I know III, and if you don't text him or call him or something, he'll think he did the date wrong and you don't like him,” 

“Okay,” was all Ivy said in return. Thay pissed Vessel off and he flung a punch into Ivy's kidney. The class carried on for a while, til both of them collapsed in a sweaty heap when Ives tackled him. He had gone pretty hard on Ivy, partly for III who had been a wreck for the two days he hadn't heard from Ivy. Partly because he hadn't heard from II in a few days and he was starting to worry that II had lost interest. 

“Does II like dinner?” oh that's a stupid question. 

“That's a stupid question. Who doesn't like dinner?” 

“I guess I mean fancy dinner,” 

“You let that man put on nice clothes and pick you up at eight, and you'll have a ring by the new year,” Ivy clearly meant it as a joke, but Vessel's mind ran away with it anyway. 

“I'm gonna text him right now,” Vessel walked toward his bag and his phone. But II was walking past the boxing room. So Vessel decided to just poke his head out the door and ask. 

“Vessel, hi!” II seemed happy to see him. Nerves got him for a second but he spit it out. 

“Would you want to do dinner next week?” 

“Oh, yeah, that'd be awesome. Did you have some place in mind?” 

“Yeah, but it's kind of fancy,” II lit up. Vessel nearly swooned. He was completely over the moon for II and his smile was worth more than any gold or gem. 

“I love fancy. Send me the details?” II winked and then continued on. Vessel watched as he walked away, until he was out of sight. He's so pretty. 

“Hey, III,” Vessel heard Ivy behind him and turned around, knowing damn well III wasn't here. Ivy had his phone jammed up against his face. Man of action, I guess . Ivy waved Vessel off, grinning and listening to III through the phone. “Bye,” Ivy mouthed at Vessel. Vessel took that to mean class dismissed and gathered his things. He sent II the restaurant and then called said restaurant to make a reservation for two. The hostess was cheerful and excited to help Vessel get a secluded booth. He scheduled it for Friday, so he could go on a run with III on Saturday. III was really winding up his training. Vessel texted III to make sure he was still running in the morning. 

Chapter Text

II looked the restaurant up. It was fancy fancy. He had time to kill. It was 6:03 AM, no one ever bothered to come in before 7. 

The door chimed. Well, except that guy. 

“II,” Vessel. 

“Vessel,” ugh, he's completely adorable . His hair is all messed up from sleep, his jaw is shaded by a light dusting of auburn facial hair, his eyes are soft and almost unfocused. 

“You uh…wanna work out with me? I know it's really early,” Vessel cut himself off with a big yawn. II was going to combust. He looked so snuggly ! His sweatshirt was huge, and it extended past his hands even. He had it haphazardly pushed up on his right arm, so he could hold his phone. 

“Yeah, I wanna work out with you,” II had a pretty, sleepy boy all to himself. He was ecstatic. 

“C'mon then, it's leg day,” II came out from behind the desk and watched Vessel lead him to the Smith machine. Vessel looked comfortable and II wanted to like…chew on him or something. He wasn't sure.  Vessel was drinking something out of one of those annoying shaker bottles every person has. He rubbed at his eye and smiled at II. 

“You're here so early,” II commented. He wanted to know what Vessel was doing here when normally he made his appearances at night. 

“Uh huh… helping III out. Got a couple gigs too,” 

“Gigs?” 

“Yeah, events. I'm doing a couple today and tomorrow, and helping III finish training,” events? But II didn't ask. He figured that if Ves wanted him to know, he'd tell him. Vessel was setting the bar up, putting plates on. II kind of wished he would take his sweatshirt off so II could watch his muscles move. “Are you thinking of coming to watch III too? At his marathon?” 

“If you’re inviting me, I’ll be there,” was II’s automatic reply. Anything to get closer to Vessel, to spend more time with him, to just… be around him. 

“It’s a lot of waiting around, but, um, I think it’ll be fun anyway. I know III either already has or will be inviting Ives as well. Speaking of… what’s his problem? III says he barely texts him back,” 

“Are you serious? That boy…,” II remembered that Ives had promised he’d give III a shot if III expressed interest. 

“Well, okay, but he did call III when I asked him about his not replying,” Vessel informed II. Almost like he didn't want him jumping on Ivy again. 

“And he barely texts III back, you said? He may just prefer calling,” II tilted his voice up in a questioning manner. 

“Oh, man, is III an idiot?” They laughed together. God does II love laughing with Vessel. Even at 6:10 in the morning. Vessel proceeded with his workout. II got lost in watching him. At one point, he had to stand behind him to assist. Feeling Vessel so close to him had him thinking dirty, dirty, filthy thoughts. It took a fair bit of willpower to not act on said thoughts. He realized he was getting hard at 6:30 in the morning over a guy doing squats and thought maybe he was down way too bad for Ves. Then he decided he didn't care. And they had a date next week, maybe they could do more than just kiss. If Ves wanted to. II realized that if he didn’t want to, he still wanted to go on another one hundred dates. Oh, I should get him flowers . 

Chapter Text

“I'm telling you right now, you're in love,” Vessel's stare was hard. III was in the middle of his second lateral raise set. His arms were starting to shake. Vessel had his arms folded, an eyebrow raised, and his gaze set on III. “Also, II said I should tell you that Ivy is allergic to texting. He loves phone calls though,” 

“I'm counting. And I gathered that,” III's teeth were gritted. Vessel waited. He kept his form in check by staring at himself in the mirror. As he completed the set, he felt a bead of sweat roll down his spine. Laterals should not be so damn difficult . He put the weights down. “Staring at me won't make me move any faster,” man he was in a bitchy mood. Vessel had dragged him to the gym because it was pouring rain. Did not mean he liked being there. He hadn't caught one glimpse of Ivy, but Vessel had been spending a good sixty percent of his time watching II in the mirror. 

“Are you being a bitch because Ives isn't visible?” damn Vessel. He always knows too much. 

“I'm being a bitch because you're not even working out. You're just ogling II,” Vessel rolled his eyes. Then he whipped his head and said “Look, it's Ives,” III immediately jerked his head in the direction Vessel was looking. No one. Vessel snorted. “Gotcha,” 

“Ass,” III retorted. “I'm not in love. I just like him. He looked so pretty when he was looking at the stars last weekend,” he felt the wrongness. He knew he was lying. He just thought anyone normal would think he was crazy for thinking he was already in love. He'd been on two dates with the guy. He sat on the bench next to him. “How many dates have you been on with II?” 

“Um. Not enough,” 

“Have you told him about work?” 

“Have you told Ives about why you run marathons?” 

“No,”

“Then, no. I'll tell II in due time,” 

“Fine. Then I'll tell Peaches in due time,” 

“Tell me what?” Ivy came up behind III, wrapped his arms around him. 

“W-where the marathon is,” III said the first moronic thing that popped in his head. He also immediately melted into Ivy's hold. 

“Wherever it is, I'll be there. You will too, right, Ves? We could carpool,” Ivy kissed the side of III's head. “You're sweaty,” Vessel had his piercing eyes fixed on III's face. 

“Mhmmm,” III turned so he could look at Ivy. 

“You excited about your marathon?” Ivy asked, fanning minty breath over III's face. This was kind of weird. Ivy had not been super affectionate on their second date, and now he was hanging on III in a public place. III wondered if something was going on. 

“I am, yeah,” III smiled. Ivy smiled back, kissed III right on the nose and then stood up straight. 

“If you want to carpool for real, I'm down. Just let me know,” 

“Only if you'll bring II,” Vessel fired the words back so fast, it was as though he'd been rehearsing them. III was certain he had been, actually. 

“I'll bring your boyfriend, don't worry. He is your boyfriend, right? You asked him, right ?” Oh, Ivy being protective of his friend. III could die. The look on Vessel's face was hilarious. 

“I'm asking when we go to the chop house,” he mumbled. “I wanted it to be romantic,” Ivy made an approving noise. III looked up and could see his neck. It looked so fucking kissable, he had to loop a leg around the bench leg to keep himself from attacking Ivy with kisses. It was thick and roped with muscle and sinew, and he wanted to dig his teeth into it and give Ivy hickies.

“Good. Don't fuck him over,” Ivy sauntered off. III glued his eyes to his ass, watching that perfect sway for as long as he could. 

He spent the rest of his workout looking for Peaches in the mirror. 

Two days later. 

On an impulse, III text Ivy instead of Vessel when looking for an early morning run partner. His phone lit up. Ivy was calling. The man was like…ninety. He preferred calling, and it drove III crazy. He could have just text yes and then come over. It would be so simple. 

“Do you always run this early?” okay, but, that morning rumble… III could handle a phone call or two for that . 

“You appear to be awake, peaches,” III replied. The back and forth was something he unashamedly lived for. 

“Your text woke me up,” 

“So when will you be here?” III fired back. 

“III, baby, it’s… 5:47,” 

“And you’re awake. Come run with me. I’ll be lonely if you don’t,” he heard Ivy let out an exaggerated groan and knew he had won. 

“I'll be there in twenty,” the gravel of Ivy's voice was making III think of all the ways he could get Ivy to pitch his voice that low again. Or what it could be to wake up to that voice rumbling in his ear. He needed a cold shower. Now. 

Chapter Text

No one who was going to rip my heart out would beg for my company on a six A.M. run, would they? Ivy readjusted his sweatshirt. His heart was racing. III had been perky over the phone and really had asked him to come run. Maybe it was because he’d been openly affectionate when he had seen III a few days ago. Thoughts circled his head, and he could hear II talking about being able to see the steam coming out of his ears, so he stopped. He made sure his running shoes were tied and strode out the door so he could get to III’s place. III actually, funny enough, only lived about a ten minute’s drive from Ivy, so he was pulling into the space next to the Mustang within almost exactly twenty minutes. III was leaning on the trunk of his old car. He looked edible. He had those loose running shorts on, and a thin jacket that outlined his torso. Ivy had noticed the other day as well, though III was pretty much stick thin, he had well defined arm and back muscles that were now pushing against the wind breaker fabric of his jacket. He wanted to test the limits of III’s strength. He wondered who would win in an actual fight, and wondered if III would let a fight dissolve into sex. Ever since he’d slept with III, kind of, he’d wanted to sleep with III all the way. He was just, as always, worried about getting hurt again. On that morose thought, he jumped out of his Jeep and walked over to III. III stopped the morose thoughts. 

“Morning, beautiful,” III immediately embraced him. “Thanks for coming over here,” 

“You’re making me coffee later, right?” III snorted. 

“You’re just like Ves,” he then leaned down and kissed Ivy right on the mouth. It was sweet and affectionate and Ivy loved it. 

“Nothing wrong with being like him. He’s nice,” 

“Well, I didn’t exactly set out to date my best friend,” III fired back. He was always so quick. Ivy loved it. 

“Well, maybe when you get sick of me you can give him a go,” III shot him a look when he said that. Oops . 

“I’d never get sick of you, honestly. I like you far too much for that,” III’s voice had dropped into a more serious tone. Ivy felt suspiciously like he was being scolded. “But, I wouldn’t be opposed to adding Vessel into the mix,” he flashed a delicious grin at Ivy and then started his run. 

“H-hey! Wait! What the hell does that mean?!” Ivy took off after him. Damn his irritably long legs . Ivy had to focus on catching up, and he couldn’t interrogate III anymore. 

“C’mon slowpoke!” III shouted back at him. He huffed as III led him into one of the local nature trails. III had to slow down just a bit to dodge an overgrown root, and that gave Ivy the window for him to catch up. “Do you want to know why I run marathons?” 

“Is there a reason?” Ivy was thrown off. He still wanted to ask about what III had meant by ‘adding Vessel’, but now he was curious about this. 

“Um, yeah, there is,” III sounded nervous. “But..um. It’s kind of sad. And heavy for so early in the morning,” 

“Well, you don’t have to tell me. Damn, how do you run and talk so smoothly?” he felt like he was huffing and puffing his words out, but III sounded like he was sitting still and talking. 

“Well, but I want to. I mean, if we’re going to be dating and all. Oh, also, do I have to ask or are we just dating?” 

“You have to ask. I demand a big rose wall, a neon sign and everything,” he snorted at his own joke. “No, I mean. We can be dating, if you want to be dating,” 

“Well, yes. I want to be dating,” 

“Okay, then we’re dating,” III stopped running, turned and kissed him. He could feel his head spinning, and his heart racing. III seemed to be taking this really seriously. Like he really really liked Ivy. Like this could even actually go somewhere. That was equal parts thrilling and terrifying. “So, tell me then. Why do you run marathons?” Ivy remembered to return to the earlier topic. 

“Oh, right. I forgot I said that,” III gave him a soft smile, and squeezed his hand. “I have to run while I tell this story,” 

“Okay, then we’ll run,” they pressed on, but III stayed at his side now. 

“So, uh, when I was sixteen, my mom was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. She had been given about six months to live, and she was forced to stop training for a marathon of her own. Me being sixteen, I decided I was going to run it in her place. I did. I got a real taste for running too. Cleared my head, you know? I was so scared, I mean, I was going to lose my mom. Then, I heard about one where you could collect donations for people with cancer. So, I jumped on that one too. Now, I run at least two marathons every year, always to somehow raise money or awareness for cancer,” 

“I…holy shit, dude. Um,” III cut him off. 

“Yeah, no one ever knows what to say to the ‘my mom had cancer’ story. She did make it, by the way. That time. I got another seven years with her before a recurrence. Medical miracle,” III squeezed his hand. “She was ready, you know? By the end. It hurt, but. Well. She was ready, so she went,” he inhaled and tugged III to a stop. III’s eyes were dry - this was a story he’d told before. 

“I’m sorry won’t be enough. So, thank you for telling me. I can’t wait to see what your time is on this marathon,” III squinted at him then. Ivy watched tears well up in those beautiful eyes. Oh fuck . 

“You’re like the only person who has never treated me like I’m made of glass when I tell that story. You’re weirdly perfect. Where did you come from?” he blinked back a tear or two of his own. He knew he couldn’t respond to that. Perfect was essentially the opposite of what he was.

“Let’s finish your run,” good job man. Not saying a single self deprecating thing.  

The rest of the run was spent in an oddly comfortable silence, for the heaviness that III had just spoken on. The air was heavy with the rain that would be around later. Birds were waking up. It was serene. He could understand how this sort of thing would help III clear his head. Toward the end of the nature trail, III slowed for a second. 

“What do you say to a little wager?” 

“Wager?” he could feel his rugby instincts flaring. 

“Bet I beat you back to my place. You can see it, right?” Ivy nodded. Immediately, he shifted gears and was so ready to send noodle boy marathon runner packing. 

“I’ll win,” 

“You win and I’ll let you do anything you want to me,” 

“I’m so gonna win,” Ivy took off before III said anything else. He had a devious little prize in mind already, and he was going to win it against all odds. 

“Hey!” III shouted as he scrambled to catch up. III almost pulled even with him, but he dug in hard and sprinted. He made it to the door a whisper before III did. “Jesus, man! I had no idea you could run like that off the field,” III was panting. He was sweating. He could smell the sweat coming off of III. A switch flipped inside of him and he lunged, slamming III up against the door. He buried his nose in III’s neck and inhaled before kissing every inch of skin available to him. Sweat and rain and body wash flooded his senses. 

“You smell so fucking good,” he groaned into III’s neck. III fumbled with the key, trying to open the door with arms full of Ivy. 

“Is this the prize you want, Peaches?” Ivy thought he knew exactly how to make III crazy with want. He turned up the begging tone, the groaning, the whining. 

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Please, just, you smell so good, and you look so good, and we’re dating now, and you’re my boyfriend, and I wanna be inside you so bad right now, I’ll do anything, please,” he begged into III’s neck. III exhaled a soft laugh that made him harder. III got the door open, and then basically hauled him into a messy bedroom. 

“Well, when you put it that way,” III threw him onto the bed. He immediately turned the tables and got III on his back. 

“I wanna look at you,” he ripped III’s pants off. “Is this okay?” he paused, realizing he hadn’t exactly asked if III was fine with being manhandled. III blew a strand of hair out of his face and assessed Ivy. 

“I’ll stop you if something isn’t okay,” he nodded at III and continued tearing his clothes off. III reached over and threw something at him. Lube. He winked at III. He coated two fingers in it, thanked any god that was listening that he’d freshly trimmed his nails back so he wouldn’t hurt III, and started stretching III open. He tried to take his time. He really did. III was so hot and tight and he was writhing on his fingers. “That feels so good,” he added more lube anyway. No such thing as too much. “I want your cock though,” III grinned. It was so sexy, and hearing him ask for that was almost enough to make Ivy cum then and there. 

“Yeah, babe? You want me inside you? Ask nicely,” III huffed, annoyed. But he changed his face so he had a pout and big eyes. He leaned close to his face then, kissed him, licked along the seam of his mouth and begged right into his mouth. 

“Please put that fat cock I’ve been staring at for the last fifteen minutes inside of me right now, before you cum. I can see you fighting it off and I want it inside of me,” 

“ Fuck ,” he couldn’t help groaning. He pushed forward then. III was hot and wet and the slide was perfect . He wasn’t going to last very long at all. III’s eyes rolled back in his head and then Ivy lost it. His hips snapped all the way forward, and III whined. He had to hear that noise again, right fucking now. He slid out slowly and pushed back in, listening to III get more unhinged with every thrust. 

“You need to go faster ,” III nearly snarled. 

“As you wish,” Ivy did exactly as he asked. He also wrapped a hand around III and jerked him in time with his thrusts. Neither of them lasted particularly long once he set up a rhythm. His orgasm came about five seconds before III’s. 

After, in the early morning sunrise, III turned to him. 

“Would you want to go see an opera with me?” 

“An opera?” kind of out of left field. 

“It’s this coming weekend. Vessel is coming to my marathon the weekend after, so I always make it a point to go to one of his gigs,” 

“This coming weekend? I can’t,” he did not remember II mentioning Vessel being in an opera. Does II know? “I have a rugby game down south, I’m so sorry,” then he got an idea. “Take II,” 

“Ivy, my love, that may be the best idea you’ve ever had,”

Chapter Text

Vessel was more nervous than he’d ever been. He had not been this nervous the first time he had played for the opera house. His mouth was dry. A knock on the door made that worse. It was II. It was thirty five minutes before they needed to leave. He straightened his tie. If II was in a suit he knew he may as well lay down and die. He didn’t think he’d be able to stand him all cute in a button up, tie and suit coat. If I don’t rip the door open now I’m never going to open it. Vessel turned the knob and pulled the door all the way open. II was standing there. He was holding red roses. A lot of them. He smiled at Vessel. Vessel's heart dropped into his stomach. II was in a black suit jacket, a black button down and a red tie. 

“Y-you,” he swallowed his words before he could be any more embarrassed. “Hi,” he finally settled on. 

“I hope you're not allergic,” was all II said in response as he handed the roses to Vessel. They were perfect, just bloomed and that dreamy red you always see in the movies. Vessel counted then. Twenty four red roses. “I cut the thorns off for you,” 

“You cut the thorns off?” 

“Yeah. I don't believe in breeding thorns out of roses, it's not my thing. But I didn't want you to get hurt either,” he was overwhelmed by the gesture. II cut the thorns off so that he wouldn’t get hurt. II cared that much for him, and he wasn’t even his official boyfriend. They’d only been on a couple of dates, and only one was official. His eyes welled up immediately. He blinked against the onslaught of tears, but it only made one slip out of his eye. 

“I… I'm sorry,” he whispered as a tear rolled down his face. God this is embarrassing. He’s never going to want to be with me if I can’t like. Stop crying. He tried to swallow the tears back, but there was a fair number already lining his waterline. II stepped into the house, took the roses back from Vessel and set them on the decorative ledge next to the front door. He let II take the roses because he was far too willing to follow II’s every direction and gesture. II’s hands reached up and cradled both of his cheeks. They were delicately calloused and his thumb caught the tear. 

“Never apologize. Your emotions are one of the things I love about you,” love about me? Vessel's heartbeat kicked into a gallop. Love about me ! II had those blue, blue eyes trained on the tear escaping Vessel's other eye. II's lips turned up in a soft smile. He leaned up, must have nearly been on his toes, and kissed Vessel. It was soft. Vessel could feel the slightest tack of II's aftershave, could smell the lavender that must have been in it. He couldn't help it, he had to look. He flicked his eyes open for just a second. He’d remember the image forever. II's eyes were closed, long lashes nearly touching the skin under his eyes. His eyes had lost that perpetual crease that indicated II was always mildly stressed, or maybe tired. He pulled back and grinned at II, feeling his tears dry in the wake of II’s sweet kiss. II flashed a returning grin and then picked the roses up again. 

“The roses need water,” I'm going to preserve these . 

“Do you have a vase?” Vessel walked toward his kitchen and II followed. 

“Yes, it's just up here,” Vessel pulled it down from the top of the fridge. He looked back across the kitchen and saw II leaning on the breakfast bar. He looked so… right , standing there. “You look good,” he smiled. II flushed a pretty pink color. 

“Y-you do too,” Vessel glanced down at his own clothes. He had agonized over his choices before II had come over but hadn’t thought about them since he’d set eyes on II. What he had landed on was a plain black suit with a white button down. It was a chop house. He hadn’t wanted to be in all black, though II looked devastating in his all black affair. Vessel crossed the kitchen and wrapped his arms around II. 

“You look stunning, actually,” 

“Th-thank you,” II was blinking up at him now. He couldn’t help himself. He kissed II right on the nose. II giggled. I could drown in that sound. 

“And thank you for the roses, they’re very beautiful,” he turned then, letting II go so that he could cut the stems and put them in water. “Do you want a glass of wine before we go?” he could use one himself. It would steady his nerves a bit. He could not believe that he was this nervous for a damn steak dinner. We’ve already done a coffee house date. The only difference is I’m asking if he wants to be my boyfriend, my partner. That’s the only difference. 

“Wine would be nice. What do you have?” 

“I have a pinot noir open,” he snagged the bottle off the countertop and handed it over so that he could continue with the roses. II took the wine. 

“Where are your wine glasses?” Vessel pointed toward the far cabinet. He watched II for a second. II was able to snag the first one. He was up on his tiptoes, suit coat riding up to reveal his cute little butt. He couldn’t get his fingers around the second one, it was just too far back. Vessel slid up behind him, reaching over him to grab the second glass. “Thank you,” II huffed as he lowered his heels back to the ground. Vessel liked feeling II’s body against his. II was just the perfect height for him to wrap right around. He kissed II’s warm cheek and took the other glass from him. II watched as he poured the wine for both of them. They sat together at Vessel’s breakfast bar, and he remembered they’d done exactly this after their coffee date as well. II just looked so good in his kitchen. He wished he could cook, so that he could keep II here tonight. It was amazing to have someone who it just felt so natural to be with. He could not wait to see II in the dim light of the chop house. He sipped the wine, only to stop himself from asking II to be his boyfriend right then and there.  

Later, II led Vessel out of the house. Vessel did not see his bike anywhere, but he saw a jet black BMW M2 sitting behind his cute little Kia. It was sleek and almost angry looking. It was so II.  II hit the fob and the headlights nearly seared his eyes. II got the passenger door for him. The stupid car was luxury . It smelled like brand new leather and he fought to keep his hands to his sides. He was afraid he’d mess something up if he touched anything. II slid into the driver’s seat, and with a practiced ease, leaned his hand on Vessel’s seat so he could look out the back window and rolled out of Vessel’s driveway. The way II drove and handled traffic was so impressive, it made Vessel’s mouth run dry all over again. He was clearly enjoying himself. Re: Stacks played softly as II pulled up to the chop house. Vessel would remember his smile forever.

Chapter Text

He had never been to this restaurant before. But he had scoped out the parking situation before going to get Vessel. The wine had warmed his blood just enough to take most of his nerves away. Once they were both out of the car, Vessel grabbed his hand and tucked it under Vessel’s bicep, making him melt into a puddle. Ves was just a big, soothing presence, holding II as they walked into the restaurant. It felt like Ves wanted to be seen with him and that felt so good. Watching Vessel practically saunter across the restaurant’s foyer and inform the host of their reservation was revving II’s imagination. He was loving the cool confidence. Vessel was so confident about this date he’d donned a white button down. II would never , not to a steakhouse. He loved a steak smothered in mushrooms too much and was just enough of a messy eater for that. 

“Follow me,” the host flashed a smile at both of them as they followed. Vessel was holding II’s hand as they weaved between tables. The host led them to a secluded booth in the back. “Is this to your liking?” 

“Yes, thank you,” Vessel answered. He was at ease here. Watching him was getting II all dizzy and warm and sweet. 

“You’ve been here before?” he wanted to know. He slid into the booth. It was cushy and high and really nice. The host was waiting near the table. 

“Water to start?” 

“Yes, please,” Vessel replied automatically. 

“Also, um, do you have a gluten free menu?” II jumped in. He hated the question, it always felt like a bother, but he’d much rather be a bother than deal with the effects. 

“Of course, sir. I’m Will, if you need anything else,” 

“Thank you, Will,” Vessel smiled. He then looked at II. “You never told me you're gluten free?” 

“Ah, no. I don’t think about it until I’m actually eating,” 

“Is it serious?” 

“Uh, it’s not the worst. It’s not as bad as someone with Celiac, but it’s no walk in the park. It’s an allergy,” 

“I wish I had known that. I would have found somewhere safer for you to eat. I don’t know what this place has to offer,” 

“It’s steak, I’ll be fine,” the concern in Vessel’s voice made his heart squeeze hard. The host returned and handed II a menu, as well as setting bread on the table. II thought about asking if it was gluten free, but realized that was ridiculous.

“If that is not gluten free, you can take it away,” Vessel jumped in immediately. 

“Yes, sir,” the bread was removed from the table. II turned to his menu, though he felt his face go hot. He was used to being an inconvenience when it came to food, and watching Vessel immediately jump to his defense was making him fall in love with the tall, pretty man. II enjoyed falling in love, and found it too easy with Vessel. 

“Next time, we’ll go somewhere that’s better for you,” he smiled then. II flushed again. He focused his attention on the candle on the far end of the table. It was almost too much. He was sure he was falling for Vessel. He wasn’t sure that he was entirely in love, but he knew he was close enough to almost say it. 

“Next time? I’d love that,” 

“Um. Yeah, actually, I kind of have a question for you,” he met Vessel’s eyes, which now looked nervous. 

“A question?” 

“Hi, good evening. Have you guys had enough time to look at the menu?” Vessel’s eyes flashed then. 

“II, have you looked enough?” 

“Um, just order, and I’ll figure it out while you’re ordering,” 

“If you need a minute, I’ll come back,” 

“Yeah, give us a minute, thank you,” Vessel has a question for me . He flicked his eyes down at the menu, and realized he needed his stupid reading glasses. He slid them out of his jacket, put them on and saw mushroom smothered hanger steak and went for it. He looked back up at Vessel then. “You are adorable ,” Vessel exhaled in a dreamy sigh as II looked at him over the lenses. He must mean my glasses . II actually hated them, thought they made him look older than he was. But Vessel was looking at him with hearts in his dark eyes, clearly enamored by him. 

“I don’t normally need these, but it’s just too dim here for my eyes. Your question?” 

“Have you decided what you want to eat?” 

“That’s not your question,” 

“No, but I want to make sure you get something you want to eat,” 

“Well, yes. I have decided,” II set the menu on the table so Vessel could see and pointed at the steak he wanted. Vessel frowned slightly. 

“I don’t think you can pick the temperature on that one,” 

“Oh, that doesn’t really matter to me, as long as it’s got mushrooms on it,” Vessel made another face.

“I can’t stand steak that isn’t rare,” just like Ivy! 

“Ivy is kind of like that. He’s a medium rare guy. I’ve just never cared that much,” the waiter came back and took their orders then. True to his word, Vessel got a filet mignon, rare. II ordered the mushroom smothered hanger steak. It was only available cooked medium, and II assured the waiter that it was fine, even with Vessel making a face about it. 

“Oh, also, bring us your wine list. Thank you,” they had the wine list a moment later. “Do you mind if I pick? I know a really nice, buttery red for steaks,” 

“Sure, love. This is your restaurant, it seems,” 

Later, they had a glass of wine each. They’d been quiet, giggling every now and again, and II kept touching his foot to Vessel’s. It felt nice, and good, and fun. II was feeling good, and then he remembered. Vessel had a question for him. 

“You had a question for me,” Vessel finished his sip, licked the wine that lingered on his lip and nodded. The wine left his lips glossy. II was captivated. He wanted to lick the wine off of Vessel’s lips. Vessel’s eyes were such a deep blue. He could get lost in them forever. 

“Yes, I do. I want to…formalize this thing between us. I want to officially ask you to be my partner,” a grin overtook II’s face. He was powerless to stop it. 

“Y-yes! Yeah. Of course. I want to know where this goes. I’d love to be your boyfriend, absolutely,” 

“Really?” Vessel grabbed II’s hand from across the table and squeezed it. He was earnest and cute and II absolutely wanted this. II wanted to tell him that he was falling in love, but thought that was way too strong for someone who’d just asked if they could be in a formal relationship.

“Yes! Absolutely. You’re just… I have so much fun with you, and you’re so kind to me, and you’re gorgeous and yes. Absolutely. I want to date you,” Vessel was smiling then, and there were tears in his eyes. 

“And, also, will you come with me to III’s marathon next weekend? 

“Yeah! I’ll get some staff to cover the desk,” II was excited. Vessel was excited too. He spent the rest of the evening enjoying a great steak, grinning at Vessel and laughing with him. At the end of the night, Vessel stopped him as they walked outside on the way to his car again. 

“I’m so glad you said yes,” then Vessel leaned down and kissed II hard. He tasted like steak and wine. One hand was anchored low on II’s back and sent sweet shivers up his spine. He pressed his body against Vessel’s as Vessel deepened the kiss. Vessel softly flicked his tongue against II’s lips in these little maddening licks that made him gasp. One huge hand almost brushed the top of II’s ass, and he felt himself leaning hard into Vessel’s touch. Vessel’s mouth was warm and wet and so inviting. When he pulled back, he felt like he could barely breathe. 

“I'm so glad you asked,” II whispered right into Vessel’s mouth. He was comfortable in the gentle cage of Vessel's arms. His boyfriend's arms. 

Chapter Text

“So, I know you don’t have any plans tonight,” that was III’s great opening line. 

“How could you possibly know that?” II retorted. 

“I know Vessel is busy and Ivy is out of town. So we’re going to hang out,” 

“What makes you think I don’t have a nice night planned for myself?” He was quick. Witty. Funny. III was going to have fun. 

“Cancel it. I’ve got something better,” 

“You cannot know that,” 

“It has to do with Vessel,” III played his card, hoping II would take it. He did. 

“Oh. I guess I can shuffle my plans, if Vessel is involved,” 

“Hell yeah you can. Alright, I’ll be back again at 7:30 for you,” III paused and considered. “You’ll need to dress up,” 

***

At 7:30, III was positively giddy. He knew Vessel was shy about being an opera singer and pianist. He knew that Vessel would never tell II. He was going to tell II for his best friend. They had arranged to meet at the gym, and II was standing on the sidewalk outside of the gym. III pulled up and stopped right in front of II. II opened the door, nearly smacking it against the elevated sidewalk. 

“Dude, be careful,” 

“ Dude , get a car from this century,” II was in a button down and a pair of slacks. III had made sure they had front row seats, which hadn’t been hard. This opera was not something III was super familiar with, but then again, operas weren’t even his thing. It was something about a poet and his trio of lovers. He sped off, II in the passenger seat. They pulled up to the venue and II looked around. He looked, but didn’t see what II was looking for. Apparently, II didn’t either. 

“I thought you said Vessel was involved. I don’t see him,” oh . 

“Oh, well, I’m certain he’ll show up. Let’s go in,” II was super short compared to him, and it was actually really cute. III grinned then, realizing that II genuinely thought Vessel was going to meet up with them to watch the opera. This was going to be fun. 

“Oh, front row, follow me. Do you know the performers?” II furrowed his brow then. 

“Uh, no. III, how’d you get front row?” II turned to III then. 

“Don’t worry about it. Come on,” III nearly gnawed through the inside of his cheek to stop himself from smiling while II was looking at him. The minute they got seated and settled, the house lights went down. III had timed it perfectly, so that II couldn’t interrogate him about any of this. II kept craning his neck to look in the aisle, likely to see Vessel approaching. The music began and a woman was singing. After her solo, Vessel walked out onto stage in an overcoat and three piece suit, tilting a hat to her. III felt II stiffen beside him. III couldn’t help it, he glanced over at II. Vessel, on stage, was placing his overcoat on one of the many chairs surrounding him and sitting down. After the brief staging, he opened his mouth and began to sing while gesturing with his character’s cane. II slammed his hand down on III’s forearm and held it so tightly III nearly yelped in pain. II was digging his nails through III’s shirt. Vessel was, as usual, absolutely blowing it out of the water. II was leaning almost all the way forward in his chair, ripping III’s sleeve with his nails and his jaw was ajar. III couldn’t resist annoying him. 

“You’ll catch flies that way,” he hissed in II’s ear. II batted at him, but did close his jaw. He was glued to the stage. Glued to Vessel. He did not say a word until the house lights came up. The end of act one. 

“I- you- he- what!” II finally turned to III with those brilliant thoughts on his tongue. 

“Precisely,” III teased. “He was never going to tell you. I thought you deserved to know,” II smiled then. He surged forward and kissed III right on the cheek. 

“ Thank you ,” he whispered. Once the house lights went down again, II eased back into his seat and III watched him from the corner of his eye. He was clearly enjoying this, watching his boyfriend kill a performance. He hadn’t known, but he was clearly over the moon about Vessel’s career. Vessel was, as usual, completely stunning. His performance was emotion, evocation, joy, sorrow and pure talent all in one. He was a carefully honed performer, and III enjoyed being carried away on his vocals. 

After the show, III took II backstage. He kept II directly behind him for a minute, so that Vessel wouldn’t know II was there. 

“You were perfect, as always,” III said once Vessel came into view. He dazzled with his post performance adrenaline powered grin. 

“You know how I love that story,” III was holding II behind him. “What’s behind your back?” Vessel noticed immediately that III was standing weird. He knew he would. 

“Uh, don’t be mad, okay?”

“Mad? Why would I-” II cut him off by throwing himself at Vessel. “II!” 

“Vessel that was incredible I had no idea you were a singer you are amazing and I-” 

“Dude, breathe,” III interjected. Vessel was clutching II, staring down at him as II talked animatedly in his arms. Vessel looked almost dazed, having II in his arms. III had known he wasn’t going to tell him, he never did tell anyone that this was his career. 

“II… you’re here… how,” 

“III!” II exclaimed, grinning back at III. Vessel then looked at III again, a shy and grateful smile on his face. There was love in the air, and it was palpable as they both stared at III. With both of their attention on III, he felt a swarm of butterflies erupt in his stomach. What the fuck … 

“I…I knew you’d never tell him. But I know you wanted to, so…,” III trailed off. He wasn’t able to take both of them staring at him. He looked down at his shoes. II thanked him again. III looked back up at his voice and they were staring at one another. III could see the hearts floating around their heads. Not literally, but it was visceral and he was aware that he was watching them fall in love right before his eyes. III’s heart squeezed in response. He needed Ivy by his side right now. Almost without thinking, he had his phone in his hand, dialing Ivy. He thought the game would be over by now. Thankfully, the call connected. 

“BABE!” Ivy shouted down the line. Post game adrenaline. “I’m SO happy you called! How are you!” 

“I miss you,” III replied, still staring at Vessel and II. Vessel was raining kisses down on II’s face and II was squirming in Vessel’s grip. They were talking, but III could only hear Ivy’s reply. 

“I’ll invite you next time. I miss you! You should be here. We’ll hang next weekend, right? At your marathon?” 

“You’re still coming?” 

“Of course! Hang on, let me get outside, so I can hear you better,” a shuffle, and III heard the noise behind Ivy’s voice die down. 

“We need to do dinner. Before then,” 

“Aww, babe, I miss you too,” Ivy teased in reply. III swallowed, hard. He swallowed his words. He was feeling overwhelmed. 

“Did you win tonight?” he finally decided on as a reply. I love you wasn’t the most sensical reply. III had to swallow it though, it was all he wanted to say. Which is crazy , right? He barely knows Ivy, but he knows he wants a million more dates with him. He wants him in his arms right now, like II is with Vessel. III wants .

Chapter Text

“Yeah, I won. We won. It was awesome, we kicked major ass,” Ivy was overjoyed, he was talking to III. He was murmuring into his earbuds, because he was on the back of a really nice charter bus back to the hotel. III had called him a few minutes after he had settled in for the thirty five minute drive. III was speaking to him, telling him about Vessel’s performance. 

“He killed it, he always does,” 

“You’re gushing,” Ivy laughed then. He listened to III kind of choke. Then, III was talking to someone else. 

“Yeah, that’s fine, I drove so I can get myself back home,” he said, and Ivy recognized II’s muffled tenor. “II wants to go home with Vessel,” III relayed. “No, it’s Ivy,” the phone shuffled and then Ivy could hear II. 

“He’s a singer ,” II laughed, and then Ivy heard who must have been Vessel speaking. He couldn’t discern any words. 

“Give me my phone back,” III was only kind of muffled, and then Ivy could hear some sort of scuffle and II’s laughs. “Oh, god ,” III groaned right into the phone then. It made Ivy sit up straighter. “They’re kissing , Ives. In public ,” he was being dramatic, and Ivy couldn’t help the bark of laughter that escaped him. “That’s gross!” he called out then. Ivy was giggling listening to III. He knew exactly how much III liked to kiss men, and that he was just giving Vessel a hard time. “They’re in love,” he confided then. 

“I wondered how long it would take,” Ivy felt a knot of tension, one he’d forgotten he had been carrying, release in his chest. II was in love. That meant that Ivy would get to keep III, that III wouldn’t fall for II. 

“So, uh. Go on any good dates lately?” 

“Mm, yeah. You?” Ivy shot back immediately, grinning. He knew III just didn’t want to hang up. Once he had gotten around to calling regularly, he never seemed to want to end a call anymore. Ivy loved it. 

“Yeah, but the guy I’m seeing must be kind of crazy. He actually agreed to come out on a run with me at six in the morning. I got to take him home after, so, worth it,” 

“Take him home?” Ivy looked around the bus. He was alone, hidden, and underneath a blanket. Everyone else was either in their own earbud land, or simply passed out. “Whatdid you do when you too him home?” Ivy heard his voice pitch downward, knew he was going to get hard from III’s response. He didn’t really care. He actually found himself reaching down and palming at his cock. III laughed, soft and low. It sounded like he was in his car now. 

“Well, I took his pretty, fat, pink dick all the way up my ass,” 

“I bet you’re tight,” Ivy interjected, sliding a hand beneath his waistband. He was getting hard. He wanted to get inside of III again. 

“You know I am,” III dropped the pretense. Ivy slowly jerked his dick once, twice. Just enjoying listening to III. “I would really, really like to do that again. Maybe I can fuck you, too,” 

“Maybe you can,” Ivy groaned. He thought he might die then. III wanted to fuck him. And get fucked by him. It was insanely hot. 

“Yeah, but, you’re not here right now, and I know you’re on a bus, so I’m not going to torture you,” 

“What!” Ivy couldn’t help his little outburst. III kind of cooed at him then. 

“You want me to torture you?” 

“Well, uh, obviously not. But, I’ll be home in an hour or so, if my estimate is right. There’s a key in the back garden, just jiggle the gate and it should come open. Let yourself in, make yourself comfortable. I want you in my bed when I get home,” III laughed at his desperation but he didn’t care. “I’m serious. We need to do that, we need to fuck,” he couldn’t help the words, the near begging, coming out of his mouth. 

“If you’re sure,” III started his car. Ivy could hear it.  

“I’m sure,” 

“Okay, I'll see you soon. I love you,” and the call disconnected. Wait…what the fuck did he just say? 

Chapter Text

Vessel watched III walk away, his heart squeezing for his best friend. III was on the phone with Ivy, and clearly happy to be. He’d brought his boyfriend here. Taken the burden off Vessel, taken away the fear of being laughed at, of being told “that is not a real career”, taken care of all of it. Now, II stood in front of him, eyes so blue and big and starstruck and happy . He was in his boyfriend’s arms, was staring down into his eyes and noticing his pink cheeks and delighting over everything. Vessel would have to figure out a way to thank III. For doing this for him. 

“Do you want to go home?” Vessel asked II, wrapping his arm around II’s slender waist. 

“I’d like very much to go home with you, actually. I think I could use a glass of that wine we shared,” II met his gaze, startling him with his boldness. II’s lips were glossy, bitten and pink. 

“A glass of wine? I think I can manage that,” adrenaline was still lining his limbs, giving him a certain confidence he normally lacked around II. Vessel steered II out the back door, swung through the dressing room to grab his things, and led II to his car. He inhaled, kissed the back of II’s head and then pulled his passenger door open for II. 

“Thank you, handsome,” II grinned. Vessel flushed at the sweet compliment. He felt some of his normal nervousness around II come back then. But, he saw one of his co-stars smile and wave and was reminded of just how much he’d just wowed II. He slid into the driver’s seat, looked over at II and pulled out of the lot. He was pretty good at driving, he thought. He hoped II felt safe. 

“So, we actually did drink the rest of that wine. But, I’m wondering if you want a better one? I’m happy to open a new bottle, we can share it,” the drive back to his home took just a few minutes. 

“I’d just like to share a nice glass of something delicious with my incredibly talented partner,” II’s voice was low in his quiet car. 

“I think we can handle that,” Vessel replied, pitching his own voice lower to match II. He was taking his beautiful boyfriend back to his house, at one thirty in the morning, for a glass of wine. The idea of what could happen next had Vessel’s hands tightening ever so slightly on his steering wheel. He thought he was ready. II knew his big secret now, and hadn’t run away, had in fact asked to come home with him. Vessel nodded to himself. All too quickly, he was in his driveway. Nerves were slowly crawling up his spine, mixing with the adrenaline, leading him to grab II’s hand. 

“I thought you were amazing, if you couldn’t tell,” II licked his bottom lip and smiled softly at Vessel. 

“You only said it six times,” he joked back, feeling his confidence again. 

“Allow me to say it again then,” they held hands as they walked up to Vessel’s door. “You are an incredible talent, and I had no idea you were hiding all of that under your stunning personality and incredible physique,” II’s boldness was turning him on. Once inside, Vessel flicked a switch, turning on all of the lamps on his first floor. He toed his shoes off. II followed suit.

“I hate overhead lighting,” he said by way of explanation. 

“I think I’m in love with you,” II responded with a big smile on his face. So he agreed about overhead lighting. Vessel grinned. II followed him as he went into the kitchen. He pulled a nice red he had been saving, along with two glasses. II perched on the barstool. 

“Um, do you want to actually sit on the couch?” Vessel asked as he poured. II nodded. 

“I’d like that,” Vessel handed II a glass, and led him to his living room. He put out two coasters on his coffee table, and set his wine glass down. He heard II sink into his couch. “I love the red,” II commented, touching the soft fabric of his couch. 

“Thank you. I thought it stood out against the walls. You can’t tell right now, but they’re actually a forest green,” 

“Sounds cozy,” II sipped his wine. “It’s good wine. When were you going to tell me you’re an opera singer?” Vessel froze. He wasn’t exactly prepared for that question. Quickly now. 

“When it came up,” 

“That’s a cop out,” Vessel sipped his own wine, staring at II. He shrugged. 

“It would have come up eventually,” he replied, after swallowing a bigger gulp. He leaned back then, kind of leaned into II. “Hi,” II was so close to him. He wasn’t entirely sure if nerves, adrenaline, confidence or just joy were driving him right now, but he let them take the wheel. 

“Hi,” II whispered. II sat up a bit, grabbed his own wine, and took a few swallows before putting it back. “I’m glad I know now,” 

“Me too,” faster than he had expected, Vessel finished his glass. He put it down on the table and leaned back into his couch, just relaxing. He thought he wanted to shower, but he did not want to do anything except hang out with II. When II leaned back again, Vessel reached up and traced his cheek, guiding II’s head so he could look at him. “You’re beautiful,” 

“ You’re beautiful,” II kind of fired back. Vessel didn’t care, he liked it when II was a touch feisty. He leaned in and kissed II. Every single time he kissed him, it was like the world set itself right. II kissed him back, and he ran his hand up into II’s cute little topknot. He found the elastic and released II’s hair. II made a soft, surprised noise. Vessel swallowed it. II’s hand landed on his thigh, kind of squeezing. They both shifted then, lips still pressed together. II shifted more, and came away from Vessel. He opened his eyes, saw II. His pupils were dilated completely, his lips were shiny. Vessel pushed forward again, his eyes shutting as his lips met II’s once more. He trailed one hand down II’s body, finding his leg and pulling it so II kind of slid into his lap. He kissed II harder, nipping at his lip and making him gasp. II was in his lap, and he wrapped his hands around II’s thighs, tracing around back to his pretty little ass. He pulled II toward him, feeling II’s growing hardon press against his own. II moaned then. It was so soft, Vessel almost missed it. He pulled back and kissed down II’s neck. “ Vessel ,” II gasped. 

“II,” he replied, gently tugging on II’s earlobe. II’s hands snaked up under Vessel’s shirt, one finding his nipple barbell and pulling. Not hard, but enough to force a real whine out of him. Electric zings traveled from where II’s fingers were touching him. 

“I’ve wanted to do that since I first saw those,” II did it again. Vessel shifted, grabbing II firmly so that he could stand up. “Are we going somewhere?” 

“My bedroom,”

Chapter Text

Vessel’s hands were wrapped around his ass, and his dick was throbbing against Vessel’s belly. Vessel was marching with a singular purpose through his home and even up the stairs. His balance while carrying II was making II even harder. Vessel was just…so… capable . He could sing like an angel, could lift a ridiculous amount of weight, and somehow liked II. II was overwhelmed, and he began to kiss up Vessel’s neck to cover for it, wanting to just burrow his head into Vessel's neck and let Vessel take care of everything . Vessel craned his neck, allowing II to better kiss Vessel’s warm skin. It was musky and a little bit sweaty, likely from performing and then their makeout session on the couch. Vessel dropped II and he landed on a bed. Vessel’s bed. Vessel flicked a lamp on. Then, Vessel leaned right down in II’s face and moved forward so that II leaned backwards, down onto the bed. II realized he was allowing Vessel to run this show. Part of him wanted to let it continue, but part of him wanted to wrench control from Vessel's capable hands and ruin him. Later… or now. He reared up and bit Vessel’s lip, already slightly swollen from earlier. 

“Hey,” Vessel chastised, and a deep heat blossomed in II's belly. It tightened his muscles and warmed his abdomen. 

“Hi,” II breathed. 

“Smartass,” Vessel rolled his eyes and then laid completely on top of II. He used his knee, sliding it under II's leg and forcing II's whole leg up and out. His belly clenched again at the change in position, feeling Vessel open his legs for him. “Look at you,” Vessel breathed, almost to himself. He sat back and just…put a hand right on II's dick. The contact, even with his clothes in the way, made II jump. Pleasure danced up his body as he watched Vessel continue to touch him. “You’re perfect,” Vessel moved quickly then, hand breaking II’s waistband and actually touching skin. He flushed at the new contact, feeling blood pooling…everywhere. He looked up at Vessel’s face then, and saw that Vessel had turned the prettiest shade of pink he’d ever seen. He remembered the first time he had seen that deep blush, when he’d been on his knees in front of Vessel, wrapping his ankle up. Vessel made contact with his hard dick, jolting him out of the memory. He bucked into Vessel’s touch, almost moaning. Vessel moved his hand, grabbing II’s pants and trying to pull them off. 

“Hang on, there’s a button on the inside,” he knocked Vessel’s hand out of the way to get to the inner button and help get his pants off. Vessel chuckled at him knocking his hand away. A deep, low, throaty chuckle that made II rear back up and kiss him again. This time, he hooked both legs around Vessel's waist and flipped both of them. Vessel gasped and then moaned when he rolled his hips against Vessel. He did it again and watched Vessel’s beautiful eyes roll back. He ripped his pants off, unable to take it for another second. Then he went after Vessel’s as well. Vessel was not equipped with a secret button, just sweats. II tore his pants down and short circuited. Vessel did not have anything else on. He was perfect . II's eyes were glued to Vessel's dick. Every single inch. All uh…seven. Maybe. II had never been awesome at measuring. He was definitely noticeably bigger than him. He leaned down to take the head into his mouth, but Vessel stopped him. An embarrassingly high pitched whine fell out of his mouth when he met Vessel's gaze. 

“There will be time for that later. I need you inside of me. Now,” this wasn't exactly what he had expected when Vessel had brought him up here. Normally, he was the one taking it, because he was shorter and smaller. But…Vessel's eyes were clear. He wanted II. 

“Yes, sir,” II breathed. Vessel launched backwards, flailing one arm toward the nightstand without looking. He snagged what he had been looking for. Lube. II pulled it out of his hand, and uncapped it. Vessel spread his legs then. It was obscene, it was beautiful, he thought that Vessel deserved to be absolutely ruined. He wanted to make him cry . He wanted his dick in his mouth. Vessel widened his legs slightly, making his asshole visible, in a clear invitation. II dripped lube on his fingers. A sinister little idea struck him, and he spit on Vessel’s cute pink little asshole. Vessel groaned, throwing his head back and showing II his gorgeous neck. Then, he began to work Vessel open. One finger at a time, but before he really got both his middle and ring finger in, Vessel was squirming around on his hand, begging for him. II could not believe he was here. Could not believe he had Vessel worked open and splayed out for him, begging for him. 

“II, please, I'm ready, I swear, I just want your cock inside of me, I can see how hard you are, just, please give it to me. I did so well tonight and I deserve it,” Vessel's tone was begging, pleading, and reasoning all at once. He pushed his hips down, swallowing up three of II's fingers in one go. “See?! I'm ready,” 

“Alright, yeah, yeah, you're ready,” II could hear desire rumbling in his own voice, which had dropped an octave or two because of it. He slid forward, arranging Vessel's pretty, creamy thighs over his own. “You sure?” He asked one more time. Vessel sat up, nose to nose. 

“Wreck me,” he bit his throat and laid back down. Yes, sir . II thought. He pushed closer, lining himself up. The second he was in position, the moment his dick was notched inside of Vessel, Vessel pushed down. He took II all the way in. II thought he might cum then and there. 

“Shit, fuck,” he thrust up in response. He was buried in Vessel. Vessel was so hot, so tight, slick from lube and his spit. That thought had him fighting an orgasm back. His spit. His boy. His Vessel. 

“Ah, you feel so good,” Vessel's voice was higher now that he was stuffed. “S-so good,” his hand moved, almost as if he was going to start jerking himself off. Perfect idea . II took his lubed up fingers and wrapped them around Vessel. Vessel bucked up into his hand and then back down. “Shit, move , please,” 

“As you wish,” II smiled. Then he found a rhythm, one that Vessel liked. He paused when Vessel's dick thickened in his hand. 

“Hey!” Vessel's eyes snapped open, glaring at him. He laughed then. Vessel's dick twitched when he laughed. II raised an eyebrow. “What? I like your laugh,” Vessel put a hand over his face. 

“Oh, no. No hiding from me,” II grabbed his hand and pinned it down by his side. He brought Vessel to the brink once more. 

“Are you…are you edging me?” Vessel seemed incredulous. Shit, whoops. 

“Uhh…maybe a little bit?” Vessel bucked down then, and clenched. 

“Make. Me. Cum.” He demanded. II smiled, Vessel made him smile all the time. 

“Who am I to refuse?” He resumed his original rhythm, this time with no intention of stopping. Vessel was pretty keyed up and it just didn't take long for him to spray pearly strands of cum all the way up his broad chest. That sight. Vessel spread out, speared on his cock, still rolling through his orgasm. That took II over the edge. He buried himself hard in Vessel and came. A lot. His dick pulsed and twitched. Vessel hummed. A deep, low, resonating note, just for a moment. II leaned down and licked every inch of Vessel he could reach. Salty, tangy, thick semen, distinctly Vessel. He showed it to Vessel, pearls on his tongue, who stared slack jawed. He grinned, made a show of swallowing. Vessel groaned, his spent dick jumping at the sight. 

II did not remember falling asleep. It was dark out still. He must not have been out for long. Vessel's alarm clock said 5:39 AM. Vessel was asleep, flat on his back, and had kicked all the sheets off. II could just barely see by the clock light. The room smelled like sex. II wanted to make it worse. He rolled over and kissed Vessel's cheek. Vessel didn't stir. He kissed his neck. Vessel stirred. He moved, opening his neck. II kissed, opening his mouth and licking. He worried the skin of Vessel's neck between his teeth, just a little. Just enough to leave a red mark, but no lasting bruise. 

“II…?” Vessel mumbled in the dark. 

“Yeah, babe,” II shifted. He put a hand on Vessel's chest. Vessel mumbled. 

“S'early,” 

“I know…,” 

“Whaddya want?” Vessel was still three quarters of the way asleep and slurring accordingly. II said the words before he could choke them down. 

“I wanna suck your dick,” 

“G'ahead, love,” Vessel replied. II did not wait for anything else. He moved down the bed as fast as he could. Vessel's dick was mostly soft, but that didn't deter him. He took the soft cockhead in his mouth and enjoyed it. He sucked softly, feeling it, the texture making him groan deep in his throat. “M’gonna watch,” Vessel murmured, turning the lamp on. Vessel moaned above him, cock rising in II's mouth. He felt a giant hand in his loose hair. Vessel was slow to harden, and II loved it. Ves pet his hair, gathering it into a short ponytail. II sucked more vigorously. Vessel was hard. II was happy. He had his pretty pink dick in his mouth, just barely getting salty precum out of him. He sucked harder, pressing his tongue to the flared ridge on the underside of Vessel's dick. Vessel was moaning, pushing II down on his cock more. That giant hand in his hair was doing things to his mind. He wasn't in a rush to make Vessel cum. He was just enjoying the full feeling in his mouth, enjoying the texture and smell. Vessel and sex. Vessel seemed to be enjoying it as well, and when II snaked a finger into his mouth to make it wet, Vessel moaned. He felt II’s finger, no doubt. II used the spit to gently ease one finger inside of Vessel, finding his prostate easily. Ves bucked hard then, involuntarily. II choked. He pulled off, making a really unattractive noise. 

“Awh, too much?” Vessel put a hand on II's cheek. 

“N-no,” II pulled Vessel back into his mouth. He had taken that second to rearrange so he could hump against a pillow while blowing Vessel. Now he wanted to make Vessel see stars. He gathered his spit off the base of Vessel's dick, and used it again as makeshift lube. Lucky he was so messy about it, and was able to get enough spit to actually push inside. He found his prostate again, and this time was prepared for the movement. He worked hard, hollowing his cheeks and swallowing. The head of Vessel's dick popped into his throat and he swallowed around it. He humped against the pillow like a damn dog, hearing Vessel enjoying everything he was doing. Vessel's hand was buried in his hair again as he showed no mercy to his prostate. Vessel howled, calling II's name out and cumming down his throat. 

Neither of them saw III watching from the hallway.

Chapter Text

III opened the door into the darkness of Vessel’s place. It was early, but he really wanted a running partner. He had been spiraling ever since he had accidently said “I love you” to Ivy last night. He needed to talk to his best friend. His best friend, who had never made him give back the key to his house. His phone lit up again . He had been ignoring Ivy since last night. He just…needed to talk to Vessel. He couldn't face Ivy alone without Vessel making it clear first. Vessel always helped. III walked up the stairs, lost in thought. Vessel’s bedroom lamp appeared to be on. Weird, normally he's never up without plans . Really weird for Vessel to be awake and have the light on at 5:50 without III having planned a run with him. Really weird. He heard something, but couldn't make it out. He walked to the door and froze. 

Holy. 

Fucking. 

Shit. 

Vessel's hands were all over a hot brunette, who's flawless ass was arched right toward III.  A constellation of moles dotted his ass, and III could see a ton of tattoos all over him. This brunette was working REALLY hard. Slurping and sucking and gagging and…III shouldn't be here. He looked from…who he realized was II. Up to Vessel. Vessel's face looked exceptional in the low lamp light. His eyes were almost completely closed, just open enough to be gazing at II. III felt wrong standing there, but… he was. He got distracted by the movement of II. The way Vessel looked, and then… II did something. He choked and moved. When Vessel crooned at him, III felt his own dick jump. For a split second, he wondered what it was like to be II. For a second, he wanted Vessel in his mouth. Or II…he bet II had an adorable cock tucked under that sweet ass of his. I. Should. Not. Be. Here . II derailed his thoughts by placing a pillow in such a way that III could watch him thrust into it while he continued blowing Vessel. Vessel groaned II's name like it was a prayer, thrusting up into his mouth. He watched Vessel's eyes close completely, actual bliss crossing his features. He was…beautiful. He was as beautiful as Ivy. III found himself feeling completely conflicted, and was hard as a rock. III heard II swallow. He knew what II had swallowed. Felt a strange, jolting shock of…jealousy. That shook him out of his strange, wrong, voyeuristic trance. 

“My god, you're perfect,” II’s voice was nearly unrecognizable. It was low and deep with sleep or pleasure or something. III backed away slowly, slipping down the stairs and out of Vessel's house as quietly as he could. 

“I can…I can finish prepping for the marathon on my own. Five days to go…,” he wasn't really talking. He was just trying to not think about what he'd just seen. It kept intruding. He kept seeing Vessel's eyelids fluttering shut. Kept seeing the way his throat worked as he watched II. And…II. II was hot . He hadn't been able to see that, had always thought he was cute and sweet. Accidentally seeing him in that light was leading III in a whole lot of directions he couldn't go in. He leaned on the hood of his car, closing his eyes tightly. He wanted to stop thinking about it. Didn't want to think about how badly he wished he had been invited, how much he suddenly wanted to unravel Ves on his own fingers and tongue. And…oh. Ivy . What if Ivy had been there? What if he had been the one with Vessel in his mouth? What if III had his face buried between those perfect cheeks, lapping II's cum out of Ivy's gorgeous hole. His phone went off, pulling him out of his filthy daydream. It was Ivy. Of course it was. But, it was just a text this time, which was weird to III. 

I'll give you some space. But I'll see you at your marathon. 

III didn't know what to say. He felt like a dick. He had ignored Ivy, because he had fucked up and said "I love you", and was now lost in disgusting fantasies about him, and Vessel, and II… III wasn't thinking. He left his car and began to run. 

He ran until his thoughts cleared. He'd deal with this after his marathon. 

Chapter Text

Ivy had found himself at the gym really early, working off a lot of tension, every day since III had said he loved him. Or, that’s what Ivy thought III had said. He had replayed it so many times, he had convinced himself that he’d made the whole thing up at this point. Today, as he had all week, he was at the gym by six. He still hadn’t heard from III since Saturday. It was once again Saturday, the day of III’s marathon. He needed to work out, badly, so that he was calm when seeing III. He was going to see III. He could hear II and the last time they had talked. 

“You promised me you wouldn’t give up on him,” II’s voice was sharp. As always. Ivy was always pissing II off. This time, he fought back. 

“I don’t know what you expect me to do here, bro. He has ignored all of my calls for the last three days. He even ignored my TEXT! You know how much I hate texting,” II blinked at him. 

“You even…text him?” 

“Yes, ugh, that’s what I’m trying to tell you. He’s done with me,” II swallowed. Ivy tossed a boxing glove at the wall. 

“Well… he didn’t say ‘don’t bother’ when you said you’d see him on Saturday, right? So… maybe take that as a win, and just…see him on Saturday?” 

“Oh, fuckin’! Easy for you to say!” Ivy was angry now. “Your life is perfect now! Your boyfriend is fucking famous, your gym just hit a record membership! You got railed sixteen ways to Sunday by your perfect super star fucking opera singer boyfriend! Mine won’t even pick up the damn phone…I don’t even know if he’s still mine,” 

Ivy shook off the conversation. This was all… this could all be sorted this afternoon. At the marathon. At III’s marathon. He was going to see III. And he was going to fucking…steel his spine and ask if they were still boyfriends. He was NOT going to address the fact that he thought III may have said he loved him. NOPE. 

“Hey man,” a gruff voice caught Ivy’s attention. He turned and saw Vessel. 

“Ves,” 

“Getting a workout in before standing around all day?” Ivy grunted in affirmation. “Me too,” Vessel fidgeted while he set stuff up before turning to Ivy again. “You uh…you heard from III at all this week? He’s been ignoring me,” 

“No, I haven't, not since my rugby game ended,”

“Oh..yeah. That was Saturday, right?” Ivy nodded. “Did you guys win?” 

“Yeah, it was a really good game. Close. But we pulled it out,” 

“That's awesome, man,” 

“You haven't heard from III either?” It finally clicked in Ivy's head, what Vessel had said. “Aren't you guys best friends?” 

“Since third grade, yeah,” Vessel turned toward him. “What…what did you do to him?” he looked up at Vessel’s face. He furrowed his brow and began to defend himself. 

“Genuinely…nothing,” he trailed off quickly, thinking about everything. “Uh…when our phone call ended, on Saturday night. I think… I think he said that he loved me? But there’s no way, you know? Since that, I haven’t heard from him at all,” 

“Have you tried to talk to him again? Or did you fuck off the second he got vulnerable? II told me you would do something stupid,” 

“Woah, hey, what the fuck! No. I have called him a hundred times, I even texted him!” Ivy needed to defend himself against Vessel..and II. He was starting to get really fucking annoyed with II and all of his “I know more than you about everything” attitude. He ripped his phone out, opening his call log and handing it to Vessel. 

“Why are you yelling?” think of the damn devil.

“What the hell are you doing telling Vessel I’m going to ‘do something stupid’?” II blinked at him, blue eyes vacant. 

“Oh, you mean about III?” 

“Fuck you, man,” he snatched his phone out of Vessel’s hand and put his headphones on. He watched II for a second, thought he caught “grow up”, and turned away. Music took over his thoughts and he worked out as hard as he could. He worked everything to failure, didn’t bother splitting into his normal sections or anything. He was mad at II. Insufferable, know it all, hot, perfect partner II. Fuck him. Fuck them both, actually. Except…shit. He didn't know where he was going. He looked around the gym, looking for Vessel. He was officially avoiding II. He'd decided as much. Today was going to be weird. Vessel was up on the stairmaster, running . Up the fucking stairs. Freak of goddamn nature. Wonder what that does for his stamina . Vessel slowed as Ivy approached. He was pouring sweat, topless now. 

“Ivy, hey,” he seemed to be on a runner’s high, flashing a devastating grin. 

“Hey, um… I don't know where Mustache is having his marathon,” 

“Oh, well, we can ride together,” Vessel had a solution immediately. Ivy could see exactly why II was attracted to him. Dammit. II. 

“Will II be with you?” Vessel squinted at him, eyes slightly narrowed. 

“Are you fighting with him?” Man, III was right. He really did see too much. 

“N-no. Of course not. I just…wondered,” 

“He’s going to show up a bit later on. I'm headed over early,” 

“Okay, well, we can ride together. Should I give you my address, or meet you somewhere?” 

“Yeah, send me your address,” Vessel nodded, rattling his number off once Ivy got his phone out. 

***

A sleek black sedan, the very same one Ivy had seen when he'd first seen III, pulled into Ivy’s driveway. He slid his hood up and went out the door. The window rolled down, revealing Vessel. 

“Hey, ready?” Ivy opened the door and dropped into Vessel’s passenger seat. 

“I’m worried about III,” Vessel inhaled through his teeth before replying. 

“I think maybe he just got caught up in his final preparation for the marathon. He hasn’t dated anyone in a while, and he might have just…forgotten he has a phone,” 

“I don’t think it’s that,” 

“Well, if it’s not, then maybe there’s something else going on. He might have accidentally called his mom-”

“Isn’t she…you know?” 

“Yeah, but he calls her. The voicemail. He still pays for the phone. So he can hear her voice,” Vessel told Ivy this as he set off toward wherever III was going to be running. 

“I…wow. He’s really sweet,” 

“Losing her was the hardest thing he’s ever had to go through,” Vessel replied. Ivy’s lip pouted out involuntarily - he hated that anytime he heard something sad he made a pouty sad face. 

“I just wanna hug him, man. It’s so weird not hearing from him. We talk almost daily,” 

“I know. He gushes about you endlessly,” Vessel paused, glancing at Ivy when he pulled up to a traffic light. “He probably did say he loves you. Do you think you’ll say it back if you get the chance?” his eyes narrowed then, eyebrows pitching down into something almost angry. Who was Vessel, and why did he think he could interrogate him like that? He doesn’t know anything about him. He noticed that Vessel had said “if” also, which concerned him. 

“I don’t think that’s any of your business, actually,” he snapped. Vessel held one hand up, off the steering wheel, in surrender. 

“Okay, you’re right, sorry,” 

The ride continued, plunged into an intense silence, until they saw a gathering of people and an arch. 

“The finish line,” Vessel informed him. I gotta say something. 

“Look. I appreciate that you’re looking out for III, but we’ve only been a couple for a few weeks. I think it’s way too early to say anything like that, and I don’t think he meant it at all. I think it was just a slip of the tongue, or a force of habit. His silence is proof he’s embarrassed by it. I just want to see him, tell him to forget it ever happened and go back to dating him like normal,” Vessel’s face was flat, impassive. He did not respond. It made Ivy nervous, brought him back to… he tried to push it out of his mind. 

“I never wanted you, not really. And when I met your friend…I realized just how much better he is for me,” her face was cold, hard. Her eyes a flat, lifeless slate gray. 

“You mean II?” defeat swamped him. Just…defeat. She’d been with him for the better part of the last two years and she was just… throwing it away. Like nothing had mattered. Like he didn’t matter. 

“Yes, of course. He’s everything you’re not. You’re just a personal trainer. You need to grow up . He did. A physical therapist, investments, even sold his stupid bike. I think it was all to please me. He wants me. I know he does. You can’t keep me, I don’t want you. You don’t have any real drive, don’t have a direction. You’re like…his silly little shadow. A lovesick dog, following his every move. The off-brand version of him. Everyone who ever wants you will end up wanting him, in the end. You know that, too, don’t you? I can see it in your face, in the slump of your shoulders. I’m going to get him, and you’re going to watch,” ice slid down his spine. Cold, uncaring. 

“He’ll never want you,” was all IV could think to say in return. He knew II better than that. II wanted people who were kind. Not someone who would say this. 

“Doesn’t matter. I get what I want, and that’s not you, IV,” her features did not move, even though she was ripping his heart out with her teeth. “He ended our relationship by being better than you. I am going to thank him,” it was unfair. It was cruel. She arched one perfect eyebrow. “Nothing to say?” 

“What would be the point?” 

A clap in his face brought him back to reality. 

“Where did you go?” Vessel. 

“Shit, sorry. I zoned out,” 

“Are you okay? You look like you might be sick,” 

“Bad memory,” he shook it off and jumped out of the car. He walked around, followed Vessel. Silent, lost in thought. Memories of Roxy were drifting through his mind, followed by the contrast that was III. III was such a contrast. He didn’t want III to ignore him anymore. He did not want this to end, he was realizing. He was starting to hope that III had said “I love you”, or at least would someday. He checked his phone again. Silence. 

“Hes running by now. Won't be able to send you anything,” Vessel spoke. Ivy had damn near forgotten Vessel was standing next to him. He tried to start a conversation. 

“So, you're…an opera singer? How'd you get into that?” Vessel smiled. 

“Well, when I was really young, I started playing my dad's old piano. And it just…blossomed? I guess, from there. I wanted to be a pianist, and I am, but I found that singing in operas is a bit more steady. And when you've got the pipes for it, why not, right?” Ivy nodded. 

“That's really cool. Are you any good?” he joked. Vessel laughed, and they talked a bit more about his career, his favorite pieces to play, his favorite opera to perform, how he couldn't stand the Phantom opera.  

Later, when they were standing by the finish line, after the conversation had faded peacefully, Vessel bumped into his shoulder. Or…no. II had come. 

“Stop thinking about her. She means nothing,” He mumbled at Ivy, low enough that Vessel wouldn’t hear. 

“How’d you know?” but he heard it in his own voice. He only sounded like that, looked the way he must look, when he was despondent. He had thought the conversation with Vessel had taken that away, but apparently not. II just gave him a look and squeezed his hand. 

*** 

III ran back, after crossing the finish line. He was the sixth person to finish the race. Ivy was cheering and he ran to meet III. III grabbed him. He was being spun around and hugged. 

“You’re here!” he was elated to have III around him. He inhaled the deep, rich, heady scent of III’s sweat, of rain. It took him back to that last morning run they'd had together. 

“You’re sweaty,” III cocked his head, looking down that incredible nose that Ivy loved so much. He smiled, but it had a sad edge to it. 

“I’m sorry I haven’t talked to you,” 

“Don’t. Don’t even worry about it. It’s forgotten. Just talk to me again,” III nodded, grinning more. Ivy noticed then…”You got a haircut! Oh my god!” He ran his fingers against the soft buzzed parts of III's head. III had cut a ton of his hair off on the bottom. The top was long still, tied up. “You look so good,” 

“Someone told me I'd look “hot” with an undercut, so i decided to go for it,” 

“Well, I need to send them a thank you note, because they were right. Who was it?” 

 III looked up and around, started to say something that might have been “Vessel” but the color drained out of his face when he saw something. “You oka-?”

“Excellent work, III,” II interrupted. 

“Oh, you guys came too?” his voice sounded weird, stilted and kind of high. He was turning a bright red color. Must be from running . 

“Yeah, and what the fuck is up with this ignoring me for a damn week thing?” 

“I just ran a marathon, why are you interrogating me?” III’s hand squeezed around his, hard. There was something on III’s face, but Ivy couldn't figure it out. 

“Yeah, leave him alone, Vessel,” III grinned at him and his heart skipped a beat. Genuinely skipped a beat, like they say it does in the books. 

Maybe he could say it back. 

Chapter Text

Someone knocked on his door. He wasn't expecting anyone, so he approached warily. III stood outside his door, shoulders hunched. Why the fuck is III knocking? He opened the door and III looked up from the ground. 

“III, what are you doing? Don't you have a key?” III ignored him, sliding into his house. Something was wrong. “III?” 

“Do you have coffee?” 

“Of course, but,” he stopped talking when III just walked away, into his kitchen. III grabbed a mug, made himself coffee and then plopped down on one of Vessel's stools. 

“I need to talk to you,” 

“O…kay,” Vessel could feel III's tension. “What's wrong?” 

“I don't know how to start,” 

“Well, just tell me, and we'll go from there,” III took a really deep breath. He was scaring Vessel. Is it his dad? Does he have cancer? Does III have cancer? 

“I watched II blow you last weekend!” He blurted out. Vessel short circuited. 

“Dude I thought you had cancer or something! Jesus…,” he trailed off, thinking for a second. Then he realized exactly what III had just shouted. "You watched...you saw II blowing me?"

 “I swear, I didn't mean to. It just...happened. I was scared, because of the thing with Ivy,"

 "The thing?" Vessel was confused. What thing? The phone call that Ives had told him about?

"You know. Where I told him I love him," oh, so he did say it. Vessel shook his head, trying to clear the confusion. 

"Right. The thing you haven't told me about because you've been ignoring me for a whole week. You're a mess, III," Vessel wasn’t even shocked, that was the thing. He knew . The minute III had told him about the way they’d clicked when they had first slept together, he knew. 

"I knoooooooow. I just... I wanted to apologize, is all. For seeing that," III looked so guilty, it was twisting Vessel’s heart. He was almost starting to feel bad for having sex in his own bedroom. He didn’t want III to feel guilty. He had to fix it somehow. A dirty little thought swept through Vessel. He thought he might know a way to get III to stop feeling so guilty. And he…he wanted III to like II, he thought. At least approve of II. He didn’t know why , but he asked. 

"Well...what'd you think?" III stared blankly at him. Like a computer crashing. 

"Of what?" 

"II,”

“I-” III cut himself off. He blew air out of his nose. Then he folded his arms. “Is this a trap?” 

“Well, no, not really. What did you think?” Vessel realized he really, really wanted to know and couldn't explain why. 

“I thought… I thought it was very nice, I guess,” III shrugged, looking down into his coffee. 

“Nice? Bro sucked my soul out,” but III was staring at the wall, ignoring Vessel. “It was a joke,” Vessel sighed. III mumbled something. “What?” 

“ You looked really nice,” he got louder so Ves could hear. “You're…hot. I guess. Like…I noticed but I never noticed ,” blood pooled in his cheeks. III thought he looked nice. 

“M-me?” Embarrassment mixed with flattery in his blood. III thought he had looked nice while he was getting head. He was staring into space, flattery overtaking embarrassment. III thought he was hot. III, who had been his best friend for decades. 

“Sorry, I overstepped… I uh…,” III slid off his stool. Vessel thought. III thinks I’m hot. Do I think III is hot? I mean…look at him. That undercut suits him well. Pretty eyes. Soft looking lips. He’s always so cute when he forgets his contacts and has to wear glasses. Yeah… III is hot. Seriously hot. He thought as III walked away. He snapped out of his assessment of III, realizing he was gone. 

“Stay,” he shouted, hoping III hadn’t walked out the door. Silence called back to him. He immediately text III

Come back

The door opened again a moment later. 

“III, it's okay. You didn’t overstep,” Vessel said the moment he could see III again. “Really…I mind less than I thought I would,” he meant it too. Which surprised him. But…it was III. It felt…kind of natural? They were best friends, after all. It did seem…weirdly…correct to think to share II with III. 

“He seemed…really…talented,” III stuttered out. Vessel grinned, remembering. He shifted his stance. “I…,” but III trailed off. He had something to say, and Vessel was going to get it out of him. 

“Tell me,” Vessel wanted to know everything. 

“I wish that I had been there, with you guys. If that's okay to say? Me and Ivy…oh…I wanted Ivy there so bad. I swear I didn't watch long but I've been dreaming about it since then,” 

Vessel thought about it. Wondered if II and Ives would ever want that. 

“It's fine to say. I…,” he warred with his own feelings. He tried to understand in a nanosecond and busted out with what he was thinking. “I think that would be really hot,” 

“I wonder if they'd be into it,” III mused. 

“You think I'm hot,” Vessel realized. It clicked again. III thought Vessel was hot. It was making Vessel look at III differently. In a different light. 

“Don't get a big head about it. I think your boyfriend is hot too. I think my boyfriend is hotter,” 

“Well…,” Vessel was going to say he thought III was hot too. Nerves struck him about it, almost as many as when he’d gone on the big steak date with II. Then, one of the first things III had said popped into his brain. “Wait. You just told me you told IV you love him. III, that’s huge!” 

“It was an accident. It slipped out. He’s probably terrified ,” Vessel laughed, remembering IV proving the way he had called and texted III. The actions of a man desperate for his boyfriend to call him back. “What’s so funny?”

“He’s not. Scared I mean. Well, I think he talked himself out of believing what he heard. It was on the phone call you guys had after my show, right?” III nodded. “He was so worried about you not talking to him, but he wasn’t worried about that. I’d say he may even love you back. He showed me his phone, before your marathon, to prove that he had tried calling and texting. But II says he’s not…super emotionally in tune. He might not even know what he’s feeling, and that you should be patient with him,” Vessel was proud that he had remembered all II had wanted to tell III. 

“I thought II used to be a physical therapist,” Vessel cracked up. 

***

Vessel and III found themselves heading to the gym, on Vessel’s orders. Thunder ripped through the sky. Rain was coming down in sheets. They'd spoken about it for a while, and Vessel had decided they each needed to discuss it with their respective partners. Vessel had hope. He knew that if II said no, he'd respect it, but he…thought it would work out for them. 

Chapter Text

“Vessel!” II called out on seeing him come through the gym door. He was soaked. It was raining hard out. A big raindrop slid off his lashes. III came in behind him. He smiled, seeing them together. He knew that Vessel had been stressed out recently, because III had been ignoring him for reasons unknown. “III, Ives is in a class right now, but he should be out in about ten minutes if you want to see him,” III nodded and walked deeper into the gym. I really should make him get a membership at some point . 

“Do you have a minute, love?” Vessel didn't normally ask to chat. Not when he had a workout lined up. 

“Um, yeah, I have a moment,” he flagged down one of his employees, a new guy that Ives had brought on from his team. The guy pulled his headphones off one ear. “Can you watch the desk for a second?” 

“Yep,” he leaned on the desk, watching the door and popping his headphone back over his ear. 

“Back office?” He asked, turning to Vessel and holding his hand out. Vessel took his hand and followed. Once they were alone in the back office, he turned to Vessel. “What’s up?” 

“III saw us together, after my opera. That’s why he’s ignored me for a week,” 

“What do you mean? He brought me to your opera. Why would he ignore you after that?” II was confused, and kind of angry. III took him there, he doesn't get to be mad that they were together after the show. Hell, he took him backstage. “I can’t believe he would bring me there and then get upset about it,” Vessel giggled once, twice. He held a hand over his mouth, trying to compose himself. 

“N-no,” another giggle. His giggles are so cute. “He uh…let himself in the next morning. Around six?” 5:39 AM in soft red light . II could not help his outburst. 

“He watched me blow you?!” Vessel flinched at his volume. “Sorry, sorry. Um. He watched me blow you?” he brought his voice down into a reasonable range. Vessel nodded. 

“He did, apparently. He came to my house today to talk to me about it,” 

“What was there to talk about?” II was relieved - III hadn’t gotten mad at Vessel for his own actions. He didn’t think III or Vessel would take to his lecturing the same way Ivy did… though Ivy did not seem to be tolerating it as much as he used to. III had given him a lot more spine than normal, he thought. But…then again. III watched him pleasure his partner. What fucking business did III have doing that? Why was he just waltzing into Vessel’s home? 

“Well…apparently he has a fantasy about it now. He wished he’d had his boyfriend there, wished they could have joined us,” Vessel met II's gaze, still almost giggling. II stared at Vessel. He watched for any give away as to what Vessel thought of that idea. He wouldn’t say anything. Held his face in check. “He also thought we were hot. Said you were talented,” Vessel laughed then. He followed that with a shrug. “I guess…I think he’s hot too. I like the idea anyway,” Vessel got shy when he said it, looked down at the ground. II wondered about it. Thought it would be hot, actually. He had ignored it, but he did think III was attractive. Though, he was really annoyed that III had silently watched him blow Ves. But Vessel had mentioned Ivy being there too. He tried to downplay the thrill starting to run through him at the idea of having more men, especially Ivy, in his bedroom. The idea of being at the center of all of that? II felt his face warm. Letting himself think about Ivy, remembering Ivy in all the maddeningly attractive states II had seen him in. The shorts… the smile. Drenched after a game. Relaxed on a couch on a Sunday, reading. Ivy … He'd look perfect, sex drunk and curled around Vessel. Vessel . Vessel was looking at him. He must have been staring into space. 

“I don’t mind that he watched us. Or wants more. He can think we’re hot,” II shrugged, downplaying his interest. The thought of Ivy on his knees, of Vessel in Ivy’s mouth… his own mouth ran dry at the prospect. He had never really considered it before, but with the idea in front of him. He desperately wanted to try it at least once. 

“Vessel, please leave,” the voice came from behind II. Ivy’s voice was so twisted with anger, II just barely recognized it. The last time II had heard that voice, it had been the day Roxy had tried to assault him. In some misguided attempt to hurt Ivy, she had broken into his place, made Ivy sit with her until he got home and then tried to fuck him. In front of Ivy. It was horrific, the cops had been called, it was a mess. 

“Oh, um, hi Ivy,” 

“Leave. Now.” Vessel shot a look toward him. II looked over at IV, saw anger twisting Ivy’s face into something pained.

“Go, Vessel. I’ll talk to you later,” Vessel slunk out the door, shooting a nervous glance between the two of them. The second the door clicked shut, Ivy unloaded. 

“ He can think we’re hot !? Are you fucking serious? Why do you always have to take someone away from me? First Roxy, and now III? You know I love him!” II wanted to rear up in self defense. He hadn’t meant that. Ivy hadn’t caught a majority of the conversation. He didn’t, though. He bit every word back. Ivy was spitting mad, raging at II now.  

“Ivy, please. Calm down. That’s… it isn’t like that. How much did you actually hear?” 

“I heard you saying my boyfriend can think you’re hot! How the fuck could you ever find that appropriate? Especially after Roxanne?” II’s head snapped up when he heard Ivy use Roxy’s full name. He never normally did that. That meant he was beyond angry. Shit. 

“Roxanne wasn’t my fault,” was all II could think to say. He didn’t explain, couldn’t explain, needed to explain. He didn’t know how to tell Ivy that it was III who had said it, didn't know how to tell Ivy that III had wanted Ivy there too. 

“I could fucking kill you,” IV snarled. He was at a loss. Ivy turned away, throwing his hands up and storming out of the back office. II knew he had fucked up this time. 

Nevertheless, he put one foot in front of the other, running to catch IV. 

Chapter Text

Vessel left the office, shock written on his face.  III was leaning on the desk, talking to the guy II had asked to cover it. III was talking to him about music, since the guy had big over ear headphones on. He’d asked him questions, but the guy hadn’t really responded until III had asked about music. 

“It’s called WATER, it’s by Black Dresses,” III pulled up YouTube and looked it up. 

“I’ll listen to it,” he turned to Vessel. “Hey man, you seen Peaches?” 

“He's…He's in there with II. He kicked me out of the office. He was…angry,” 

“Oh…shit,” III looked at Vessel. “What did he say?” 

“He just told me to leave, and I did,” 

“Should I…should I wait for him?” Vessel looked scared. 

“I honestly don't know,”

“What do you mean you don't know? You're Vessel. You always know,” 

“Well I've never seen anything like that. Ives was like…shaking. II always says he's gonna do something stupid, but I think… I think he ate his own words just then,” III started thinking. Why would Ivy be so damn mad? What the hell did II say? 

“What do we do?” III couldn’t help but ask. He was used to Vessel knowing. He was used to being able to ask a question and get an answer. 

The door to the office slammed. Ivy literally ran down the hallway, and through a door. He didn't look for anyone. III had no chance to catch his gaze. III looked at Vessel, Vessel looked at III. 

II followed Ivy. 

“We follow them,” Vessel answered him. Vessel’s face took on a determined set. Vessel grabbed III's hand and they began to follow II. 

Chapter Text

“Ives, wait!” II's voice echoed behind him. He stormed out of the gym into the sheeting rain, making his way toward his jeep. 

“No! Fuck you! I quit!” he shouted over the pouring rain. His heart was shattered. II wanted III to think he was hot. After…everything. After crying his heart out to II about the way Roxanne had made him feel. After that horrific incident at II’s place. After staying by his side through all of his shitty moments, through all of his “I know more than you”, after quitting his former training gig just to help II with the gym… II had betrayed him. It was enough to make each breath feel like sawdust in his lungs. It hurt. It hurt so bad. 

“Stop, IV, you don’t mean that! Talk to me, please,” II’s begging was more like yelling. “You don’t have context, or anything, please. You’re misunderstanding entirely. Let me explain!” he shouted, approaching IV, nearly cornering him by his Jeep. 

“Back the fuck up!” 

“No. Let me explain,” II was in his face. Rain was streaming down into his eyes. He blinked it out hard. II’s giant, beautiful blue eyes pinned him to the ground. “III saw me with Vessel the night after his opera. When we were…together. He was talking to Vessel about it, and said that he liked our…performance,” IV hauled off and slapped him. II”s head wheeled to the side. 

“How dare you. How fucking dare you, II,” he was seething. Rage boiled his blood. II couldn’t let him have this. Couldn’t let him have one person that loved him . It had to be II and IV, always. IV couldn’t exist without the model onto which he projected himself. The ever perfect, always better II. 

“How dare I have sex in my own partner’s house?” II’s voice had that distinct edge of rage to it. Well controlled, simmering, lying in wait rage. IV wasn’t having it anymore. He wanted a fight and he wanted it now. II had crossed every single line this time. He was trying to take III, the man IV loved. Loved more than he’d ever loved anyone…other than II, but he was too angry with II to give that thought the credit it deserved. 

“NO! YOU LUNATIC! HOW DARE YOU ! How dare you think it’s okay for MY partner to think you’re attractive! How dare you shrug! How could you think it’s okay, after all I’ve been through with you? You can’t let me have anything! You’ve been talking wicked shit to Vessel about me, and now this? You two what…put your perfect heads together and conspired to take my boyfriend from me? You’ve been a really shitty friend lately, II,” IV heard the vitriol creep into his voice. He knew he was going to regret it before he said it, but he said it anyway. “Why can’t I have anything without you, II? Are you obsessed? Is Vessel not enough?” 

II’s punch landed in his chest. It knocked the wind out of him. 

“Maybe you’ll listen to my fists,” the fight was short and brutal. II threw him into his Jeep. He grabbed II’s shirt and slammed II back into the body of his vehicle. They were both soaked through, slipping out of each other’s grasps, landing punches on each other. IV ended up on the concrete after one brutal swipe to his knee. II busted his lip. He returned the favor, driving his fist into II’s nose. II tried to pin him, but he slid against the ground, escaping his grasp. He was so angry. He thought he had lost III to II and his shit hot boyfriend. Shit hot, stupid ass, perfect fucking Vessel. II tried to grab him again, tried to stop him from swinging. He swiped, sending II crashing to the ground again. They were both bleeding, II’s nose running blood like a faucet. He was going to be bruised, scratched and jobless in the morning. And…it felt good. It felt good to just wail on II, and get wailed on in return. II popped up, grabbed IV’s shirt and hauled him up as well. He then slammed him into his jeep again. He was scrambled by the impact, and II could tell. “Vessel and I want both of you. We’re not trying to take III,” he growled, beyond pissed now. The fight ran out of IV. 

“Both?” 

“Yes! If you’d listen to reason instead of fighting me, maybe we could have known that before we both got black eyes,” II spit blood onto the ground. He was breathing heavily and II was staring up at him. The rain washed down both of them. II caught his breath, keeping IV pinned to the Jeep. 

“Like…for sex?” he felt stupid, but exhilarated. Coming off the fight always felt good. His ribs throbbed, II had gotten a good hit in. Vessel wanted…him? II wanted him? It was almost incomprehensible. Vessel had II, why would he ever want IV? 

“We haven’t discussed all of that yet,” II was breathing hard, trying to recover from the fight. He inhaled roughly. “You…you can have stuff without me. If you don’t want any of that, we won’t do it. Of course, you have a choice. I’ll tell Vessel,” I have a choice . It was empowering. II was giving IV a choice, the direction was all his. 

“I…I don’t know. I want to talk to III,” he decided. 

“Of course. We need to all talk. But we won’t do anything unless you’re okay with it,” IV nodded. 

“I’m sorry,” 

“I’m sorry too. I’m sorry that you heard that, that you had to feel that way. I would never do anything to hurt you, Ivy. You’re my best friend in the world,” 

“Yeah…you're my best friend, too,” 

“I think we've got a lot to talk about,” 

He spit blood out of his mouth and nodded. II wiped the excess off his lip, though it would have been gone in a second. II looked at him in that paralyzing, big blue eyes, soft smile way he had. The way he looked at Vessel. IV stopped breathing under the force of that gaze, sent into a spiral by it. Then, II made sure he was completely dazed. II leaned up, grabbed the back of IV’s neck, and kissed IV. 

Chapter Text

“Kind of hot, don’t you think?” III asked, under the rain noise. II and Ives were ripping each other to shreds out in the lot. 

“I didn’t expect them to fight,” Vessel wanted to stop them, but III stopped him. “I don’t think he’s taking it well,” 

“I think it will work out. Well, I mean, I hope. I want to get to keep my boyfriend, anyway,” III smiled at Vessel. He looked out into the lot again, fear marring his features. Vessel was still coming to terms with the fact that he liked the way III looked, in more than just “That’s my best friend” way.  “Was this a bad idea?” III had fear in his eyes. Vessel felt the same. 

“Honestly…it might have been,” they watched the fight. They watched II slam IV into the jeep, which rocked on its shocks. 

“I made the Jeep rock once too, but it was a lot more fun than this,” III joked, but he could hear the pain in III’s voice. “I’m worried,” 

“It looks like they’re talking now?” It was kind of hard to tell, but it looked like II was in Ivy’s face, but their bodies had lost a lot of the fight tension. 

“I wouldn’t call that talking,” III retorted. They were kissing. 

“Wait, oh my god, they’re kissing? Did it work?” Vessel had expected to feel some sort of jealousy about his partner kissing someone else, but he just wanted to smile. 

“That or we both just lost… Are we boyfriends in law now?” Vessel laughed. Then he groaned. They have a lot to talk about. 

“We have so much to talk about,” Vessel sighed. He had watched his best friend's boyfriend grab his amazing partner and slam him into the jeep. And he had liked it. What did it all mean? How would this work? 

“Maybe we can go get them now,” III started. He grabbed Vessel's hand again. Vessel noticed the way his hand felt in his, and wondered if they'd be more than boyfriends in law someday. The rain battered them both. Ivy was crowding over II. III tapped his shoulder. He spun. 

“III. Oh my god,” Ivy sounded scared. Vessel snagged II's hand and pulled him into his now soaking wet chest. III and Ivy were talking, but Vessel only had eyes for II. Soaking wet, drowned rat looking, clearly near tears II. 

“I thought I'd lost my best friend,” he began rapidly explaining himself. “I didn't know what to do, I panicked, I needed to talk to him and he just wouldn't listen. He tried to quit, he thought III had left him without telling him, had gone after me, I was so scar-” Vessel kissed him. He kissed him, licking raindrops off his gorgeous mouth. He imagined he could taste Ivy on his mouth. He wanted to taste Ivy on his mouth. Ever since III had brought it up to him, he had wanted to see it all. To feel it all. 

“Whatever this is. Wherever we're going. I want to go with you,” Vessel whispered against II's mouth. Right now, he didn’t need to talk about it any more than that. He knew they’d need to talk, to set boundaries, to decide what this was going to be. But, right now, he just needed II to know that he just…wanted to go with him, wherever they went. It was so clear to him that II had feelings for Ivy, and that he didn’t know it. That he hadn’t worked it out. For all those brain cells, he was still an idiot.

Chapter Text

II was locked in Vessel's dark, rain stained gaze. Vessel wanted to do this, whatever it was, together. II wasn't sure exactly what he wanted, except he knew he wanted to kiss Ivy again. Knew he wanted more with Ivy, something like what he had with Vessel. And he honestly couldn't believe it. He felt like a moron once he'd kissed Ivy, once he had realized exactly why he was always bothering him, always trying to keep him safe and sane and calm. Of course he had feelings for him. It made sense. He worried though, so much. Vessel was holding him, his face buried against Vessel's chest. III stamped his foot into a puddle, splashing II. II's heart rate felt like it was still above 170. His ribs throbbed, shin smarted, and his nose was hot. Like a rugby player had punched him in the face. Vessel pulled his face up with one finger under his chin, and kissed him again. 

“Stop sucking his face and can we PLEASE go inside!” III kicked up a fuss. “It's raining!”

“You like running in the rain, you annoying brat,” Vessel retorted. 

“Well, if you haven't noticed, I'm standing here, not running. So I would like to go inside,” he grabbed Ivy's hand and began to drag him away. 

“Alright, let's go in. I think we have a lot to talk about,” II grabbed his partner’s hand. He needed to apologize if Vessel saw him kissing Ivy. He needed to apologize anyway, really, for kissing Ivy without having spoken to Vessel about the specifics. He was nervous as fuck. He’d just…kissed someone else. Vessel was right there - Vessel had seen it most likely. What if Vessel was mad? Vessel didn't seem mad but what if he was? He didn’t really know what all of this was going to be. He wanted to know how this was going to work. Needed boundaries and guidelines and definitions. He needed to talk to Vessel, badly. 

“You're thinking too hard,” Ivy said, when he had to go unlock the door with a key. “I can see it on your face,” 

“Shut up,” he responded, holding the door. The gym was empty; it had been closed for thirty minutes. III yawned dramatically. Vessel looked at all three of them, standing in the hallway. 

“We should discuss later. It's late,” Vessel suggested. “I mean…if you really want to hash it out, fine. But I'd like to clean II up and make him sleep,” 

“Hang on,” II stopped him. He wasn’t going to let Vessel have all of the control. “Ivy, did you mean it when you said you quit?” 

“That was before I knew what was actually going on,” Ivy paused, turning red. “I'm sorry I assumed all of that,” 

“So am I still your boyfriend?” III asked, grabbing Ivy's hands. He blew on them. “Your hands are cold,” 

“Say yes, before he starts pursuing you again,” Vessel groaned. II recalled the way Vessel had described III's obsessive pursuit of Ivy. How it had started with a scoff. How…of course Ivy wanted to be pursued like that. Doggedly, relentlessly. 

“I…kinda like being pursued…,” Ivy kicked III's shin, softly. He looked at the ground. II felt himself melt. 

“ I'll pursue you,” he mumbled. He had kissed Ivy, and basically everything had made sense. He needed Vessel and Ivy. He didn't know why, felt like it was greedy to need them both, but it didn't change it; he needed them. III could come too, but he knew they'd have to spend more time getting to know each other. He did find III pretty annoying, but he was Vessel’s best friend. He was cute, too. Especially when he had finished his marathon. He realized he’d spoken aloud when three raised eyebrows turned toward him. “Um...uh… I mean,”

“Shut up until we work this out,” Ivy startled him. He furrowed his brow. 

“You’re telling me to shut up?” 

“I think Ives is right. You’re not thinking straight, and you don’t know what exactly to say, because we haven’t worked it out,” Vessel interjected, his tone gentle. That tone made II’s abs clench, almost with guilt, almost like he’d done too much all at once and needed to pause. He had done something wrong, kissed Ivy. He could not bear the openness on Vessel’s face, but he couldn’t have this conversation in front of Ivy. He needed to get out of here, needed to tell Vessel everything in perfect order so that Vessel would understand. 

“If you want to keep your job, you'll close down tonight?” II tried to sound mad, but he just came off vaguely pleading. 

“Don't worry, I'll make sure shit’s locked up,” Ivy nodded. 

“Let’s go home,” II muttered to Vessel. He didn’t know which home he meant, but he needed to talk to his partner. He glanced over at Vessel, who was walking beside him, and could see that Vessel was grinning to himself. He did not know what that was all about, and it really only made him more nervous. He didn't know where they were going, or what they were going to do. He just knew he needed to get home, and sliding into the plush leather of his own car was going to have to be enough relief for him for now.

Chapter Text

“I’ll stay and lock up with you?” he offered as soon as Vessel and II were out the doors. 

“So… you saw them hook up?” he looked over at Peaches and saw nothing but worry. And a bruising eye. 

“Right, uh, yeah. I did. That's what started this, I think,” he swallowed, his mouth dry. “You…why’d you fight him? Did he fight you? What happened?” 

“He threw the first punch,” Ivy walked off to the desk. He began shutting the computers down. “Sorry, I’m not ignoring you. I’ll answer, just, I also want to go home,” 

“Why’d you fight back? I thought you guys were best friends,” Ivy sighed at his questioning. 

“II is a good guy. But we have a lot of history,” Ivy replied. History? Did they date? It hadn’t sounded that way earlier but… “My ex-girlfriend left me for him,” III’s jaw dropped. 

“Why the fuck are you still friends with him if he stole your girlfriend?” 

“N-no. It wasn’t like that. It was more she wanted to be with him? And he had no idea?” Ivy took a breath. “This is hard to talk about,”  

“I think I kind of get it, but…okay…so he kissed you? You kissed him?” III was trying to control his thoughts, but he had a lot of questions. “Er. I mean,” he was distracted. Ivy was also walking around, doing stuff to close the gym. “Okay, um, can you stop? I know this might be hard, but I did just watch you kiss my best friend’s boyfriend, and you’re my boyfriend, so I’d like to get a handle on what’s going on,” 

“Okay, fine! I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know why he kissed me, or why he fought me, or why he said he wanted to pursue me. It’s all fucking weird, and Vessel isn’t helping. He seems way too happy about this whole damn thing, and I can’t figure you out either, since you aren’t breaking up with me right now for kissing II, even though I didn’t really kiss him. He kissed me. I just-,” he broke off, lip trembling as he looked at the ground. It looked like he might cry. “Why do you like me?” III was caught off guard by the question. 

“Well,” he began, after thinking for a second. “You’re…you. You’re beautiful, talented, and I can’t get you out of my mind,” he shrugged. He wasn’t one for a ton of words, nothing poetic or flowery, nothing like what Vessel could effortlessly pluck out of thin air. “You’re you. We work, I think,” 

“Even though II kissed me?” III grinned then. 

“Peaches, I’d love to see a whole lot more of that,” Ivy’s eyebrow shot up. 

“Seriously?” 

“I’ll show you everything I wanna see you and II do to each other,” his voice turned salacious as he thought about it. Ivy giggled, but then he gasped. 

“We’re alone,” 

“We are,” he wasn’t sure where Ivy was going with this. 

“You want to show me everything you want to see me do to II?” he began walking, beckoning III to follow. III did, curiouser than ever about where his boyfriend’s pretty brain was going, how being alone was connected to his fantasies about II and Peaches. Peaches’ ass swayed in front of him as he followed. He watched it, grateful to not be having a serious conversation for a second. He still wanted to figure everything out, but now he was lost. Thinking about all the ways Ivy could pin II down and ravage him. “Show me,” Ivy commanded. They were in the dark classroom, the one where Vessel had hurt his ankle. The one lined with mirrors. Ivy lowered the mechanical shades, so no one could see in. Not that there was anyone to see. 

“Show you?” 

“Now,” Ivy commanded. III listened.

Chapter Text

The fight was still running in his veins. Ivy was so…confused about everything. He didn’t think there was a way for III to have these competing desires all at once. If III were being honest, and he wanted II, and he wanted Ivy with II, then there was no way he wanted Ivy alone. There was no way he could be satisfied with just Ivy anymore. He was spiraling. He was desperate to have some sort of proof that III still wanted him. He couldn't believe that III wanted to see him and II together. He couldn't reconcile that III wanted that and wanted him. Stupidly, he had allowed the conversation to veer. He knew why , but he didn’t want to admit it. He had pushed it toward sex anyway. It was easier. It was proof that III still desired him. It was something to get lost in. He turned to III.

“Show me,” 

“Show you?” III was always asking questions. He didn’t have it in him to say “show me that you still want me”. All he could say was, 

“Now,” 

III stepped forward, one hand sliding around his hip. III tugged him into his body. Against him. 

“I want to show you,” III began, but he kissed Ivy before continuing. A long, slow, lingering kiss that had Ivy’s dick hardening. “I want to show you just how good you look, split open on my dick. We’ve got all these mirrors…shame to let them go to waste,” III spoke against Ivy’s mouth, driving him crazy. He could taste the desire in III’s words. But then he processed the words. 

“N-no,” he stuttered out. “Don’t wanna watch,” III’s eyebrow raised. His eyes hardened, narrowed. He went from sweet, wide eyed, gorgeous to almost annoyed, dangerous looking, ready to pounce. 

“Well, I do ,” and then III’s tongue was in his mouth. Making it hard to think. Making it hard to remember that he wanted to protest. III’s tongue slid against his, making both of them moan. III slid one hand down his body, grabbing a whole handful of his ass and growling. “This…is perfect,” he said on breaking the kiss. Ivy just kind of…whimpered. He was more used to the III that he made cum in his pants. This III was a welcome surprise.  He had seen this III once before, when he’d sucked him off and then basically demanded dinner. Now, III kicked his leg out gently. Ivy went down without a fight, to his knees. “You look good down there,” this fired him back up. He knocked III’s knee out too, bringing him down with him. 

“ You look good down here,” 

“I’m gonna put those boxing lessons to good use,” 

“Lesson,” Ivy corrected. “You only had one lesson,” III rolled his eyes. And he moved. Surprise more than anything allowed him to snatch Ivy around the waist and flip him. An embarrassing yelp flew out of him when he landed on his chest. “Shit, III,” 

“Shh,” III shushed him, pressing on his upper spine so that he stayed down. One of his hands slid into Ivy’s hair, pulling his head back gently. Ivy focused on the scene in the mirror. III was stretched out, pressed over him, looking at Ivy in the mirror. His eyes were completely dark, and he was breathing hard. As soon as he met III’s eyes, III whispered to him. “You still want this?” 

“Y-yeah. Do you?” III asking made him wonder if III was having second thoughts. 

“Of course,” III bit his earlobe and tugged, growling playfully. “I’ll always want you,” III followed this up by pressing his hips against Ivy’s ass. III was so hard, it must have hurt. He could feel it through his own sweats and III’s sweats. He got harder in response, and that was when he knew he was fucked . 

“Shit…I-I,” he found himself arching and pushing back into III. III sat back, hooked long, clever fingers into his waistband and bared Ivy’s ass to the room. III pulled his asscheeks apart. It felt…obscene. 

“Mmm…pretty,” then, III held Ivy’s eye until he sunk below his shoulder line. It became really obvious what he was going to do when Ivy felt warm puffs of air on his asshole. III’s tongue touched it. It was warm, wet, strange… Ivy liked it immediately. “I want to eat II’s cum out of here,” III then informed him. That almost broke his brain. Then III laved his entire tongue across his asshole and he moaned. Full throated, unabashed, he moaned and pushed his hips back against III’s face. His brain was definitely broken. III’s tongue worked its way inside of him, and he swore. “Acting like you’ve never had your ass eaten, peaches,” 

“H-haven’t,” he admitted. He was embarrassed by just how much he was enjoying it. III pulled back and met his eyes then. 

“Never?” III wiped drool off of his face. Drool from…yeah. Okay. He liked this way more than he thought he would. But he was embarrassed that he’d just admitted that. He was a red mess, when he accidentally glanced at himself. He shook his head. 

“No,” III flashed his grin for just a second before diving right back in. The slight stretch from his tongue, the moisture, the strangeness of the whole thing… it all felt really good. Ivy wasn’t thinking much. He was just feeling. III’s hands were anchored around his ass, basically holding him up. “F-fuck,” III made some sort of slurping noise before pulling back again.

“Yeah, I definitely want to eat II’s cum out of your pretty ass. Can’t believe no one’s done that for you. You deserve it,” 

“Shit, you’re so hot,” he couldn’t help himself. He just had to say it. Because III is so fucking hot. 

“Hot enough to fuck you?” his first response was pushing his hips into III’s crotch. 

“ Now ,” he demanded. He met III’s gaze when he said it, too. III moved, ripping his own pants down. III then spit on his asshole. He short circuited at the feeling. It felt filthy, and oh, so good. III’s fingers felt even better as they worked him open as quickly as possible. He had to spit again, and Ivy’s eyes rolled up in his skull. 

“Ready?” III panted out. He nodded so aggressively he thought his head might bobble off. III shuffled forward, lining himself up. Ivy couldn’t see much other than the look on III’s face. His face was a little bit scrunched in concentration, and it almost made him melt all over again. The warm, blunt head of III’s dick pushed against his asshole and he inhaled silently. He knew it was going to hurt, somewhat. He knew III was big, he knew III was more than the toys he’d taken before. He was ready. He exhaled as III pushed inside of him. The burn wasn’t excruciating, but it was going to take a minute to adjust. 

“Ah, ah ,” he didn’t even realize he was making noises until III responded. 

“Yeah,” III reached up, pulling Ivy’s hair again. Gently tugging his head backwards. “Look at you. Look at this. Look at us ,” Ivy looked at III first. He looked really good, stretched out over Ivy. Then, he did look at himself. He didn’t recognize himself. His hair was a mess, especially with III’s hand buried in it. His cheeks were flushed. His ass was arched into III at an angle he didn’t even know he was truly capable of. He looked fucked out, blissed out, a lazy smile spread over his face as he breathed through taking III into his body. His head was spinning. He looked…kind of…hot? At least with III wrapped around him. “You like what you see,” it wasn’t a question. III had probably felt him tense up when he’d seen the picture in the mirror. III was getting a slide going, but he had to add more spit. Ivy really did wish they’d grabbed the lube, but there would be more of this later… he had decided. 

“I wanna…I wanna do this forever,” 

“Oh, pretty boy’s brains scrambled over my cock?” III cooed. That made him tense up, hard. III kept calling him pretty, and making him feel good, and it was so not how he expected to feel when he heard that, but oh it was working for him . But, then he realized what III said. 

“N-no. I mean it,” III found his prostate then, sending bubbles through his blood. 

“Is that the spot?” III’s grin was almost evil. He looked so gorgeous. “Yeah, it is,” III angled his hips and drove Ivy out of his mind. He was cursing and almost crying from how good it felt, and he was cumming before he realized what was happening. III braced himself against his ass, and chased his own orgasm. Heat flooded his ass. 

They were panting, now separated, looking at one another. 

“I gotta clean this up,” he gestured to his own mess on the floor. 

“Can I come home with you?” III replied. 

“Of course,” he replied, another answer never crossing his mind. “Always,” he added, without a thought. 

“Y’mean it?” III asked, echoing him when III had first asked him out. His brow furrowed when he realized he did, but only for a second. 

“I mean it,” III’s answering smile nearly had the words ‘I love you’ spilling out.

Chapter Text

II’s hands shook the entire drive home. Vessel watched him out of the corner of his eye. II clasped them, checked his phone, reclasped them, touched the door handle, clasped again. He contemplated his own thoughts. He was certain about this, now. Watching II fight, watching the blush on his face. Watching the way he was, how nervous he was about Vessel's reaction. He was certain. Vessel eventually reached over and grabbed II’s hand. 

“Calm down,” he implored softly. Breaking the silence still made II jump. 

“Vessel, I just… I’m sorry you had to see any of that. I don’t know why I did that,” II’s voice was small. It lacked the confidence he usually broadcast. “I don’t know why I kissed him. I didn’t know I wanted that. I still want you, I still want to be with you,” 

“II. Stop. I told you earlier. I want to do this with you. Whatever it is,” 

“Why do I feel this way?” II was so quiet, he almost thought he was talking to himself. “You're…you’re amazing. You're everything I've ever wanted in a partner. I don't even know why I kissed him. We…we were fighting!”

“Did it feel right?” He asked before II could keep talking. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched II's lips turn down. He pulled into his driveway then. II didn't answer. He just got out of the car. Vessel followed, watching II shake his head. II actually had a little disbelieving smile on his face. “Upstairs,” he added. 

“That's the shitty thing. It did. It felt good. Obviously, I mean, then I started flirting with him. What the hell was I thinking?” II walked up Vessel's stairs like he owned the place. 

“Well. I mean. You like him. You like me. What's the problem, really?” 

“You. You're just. You're worth more than that, I think. You're so good to me. Why do I want him too? It feels…greedy,” II was pacing In Vessel's bedroom. 

“Okay, stop. Come into the bathroom so I can clean you up,” he wondered if a clear instruction, something to actually do, would help II stop. He was clearly spiraling. Vessel didn't know exactly what to say. II nodded and went to the bathroom. 

“How are you not mad?” II asked. Vessel leaned down and pulled his first aid kit from under his sink. He took II's jaw in one hand, tilting II's face to look at what was going to be a black eye. 

“You remember the steakhouse, don't you?” He asked, sick of listening to II talk himself in nervous circles. He knew what to say. He wiped II's cuts. He also checked his nose, touching it to see if he reacted like it was broken. Bruised maybe, but not broken. 

“Yeah, of course. How could I forget?” II’s eyebrows pulled together. Thinking about it, probably. He began prodding, checking for broken ribs. II winced. 

“Do you remember what I asked you then?” 

“I believe your exact words were that you wanted to ‘formalize this thing between us’,” II's smile reappeared, making Vessel feel so much better. Then, he inhaled through his teeth as Vessel found another cut and disinfected it. 

“I asked if you would be my partner , II. And you said yes. Do you know what that means to me? It means you're still mine. It means my equal in all things. My love, my light, all that romantic stuff. But also I'm the guy who's going to be there with you through everything. For as long as you'll have me. Even this. Even when you can't figure you out. I'm here,” 

Not the checking his nose, not the pressing for broken ribs, not the alcohol in the cuts, but this brought II to tears. Big, warm, round blue eyes flooded with tears, staring at Vessel. 

“W-why?” He sighed then. He had wanted to do this in a more…romantic setting than his bathroom while II was covered in cuts and bruises. He wiped a tear from II's face. 

“II… I love you,” II laughed. He laughed . Vessel couldn't help the hurt that blossomed on his face. “I tell you I love you and you laugh at me?” He tried to smile, keeping it light. He knew II was kind of in a rough spot, and this probably wasn't the time to say it. But, it was also the answer to II's question. 

“I'm sorry,” II replied, but then he was still laughing. Vessel watched as II's laughs turned to tears. “I love you too,” he continued, crying. Little hysterical giggles bubbled over II's lips. Vessel was smiling. He loved him too. “I'm sorry,” he repeated, now weeping. “It's uh…been a rough day,” II said after his tears slowed. “I love you too,” he whispered again, eyes going wide. “You love me?” 

“I do love you,” he couldn't help his smile. II loved him back. Even after kissing Ivy. He loved him back. II wrapped his hands around Vessel's neck. II clung to him, hugging him hard. 

“I love you,” II whispered, face pressed against his neck. He kissed the side of II's head and then picked him right up. “ Oh! ” II’s gasp was delicate, even. It was sweet . 

“It's been a long day. Can I get you tea before bed?” II shook his head and mumbled into his neck. 

“I just wanna go to bed,” II sounded so sweet, tired and then he snuggled into Vessel. Vessel melted . He sat II on his bed. 

“Bed, then,” 

“You love me?” He leaned in, kissed II. He kissed him hard. Long. It felt good. 

“I do love you. Lay down,” Vessel couldn't help his grin. II loved him. After he laid down with II, II grabbed his hand. 

“I'm going to have to talk to Ivy,” II's voice was full of fear. 

“That's tomorrow's problem,” Vessel replied, yawning. He gathered II into his arms and held him. “We'll get through it,” he kissed II's head again. 

Chapter Text

It was 4:55, II's alarm had just started. He was able to catch it and stop it before it woke Vessel. A text from Ivy told II that Ivy was coming in early so they could talk. In person. Without fighting. A cup of water was sitting on the nightstand next to him, and he drained it. A bit of water ran down his chin, but it was worth it. II looked at Vessel in the dark. He could see Vessel's lashes brushing his cheeks. His face was relaxed, deep breaths showing he was very asleep. II would not wake him. He wanted to be in by 5:40, and thought he could pull it off until he realized his beemer was still at the damn gym. Vessel had driven him. 

“Fuck,” he cursed under his breath. He was going to have to wake Vessel up. Again. Last time had been a lot more fun. This time it was going to be “can you drive me to talk to my best friend about this roaring desire I have to make him mine, while somehow keeping you?” He shook his head, trying to shake the thought away. Anxiety seized him, and he got out of bed. He stumbled in the darkness, almost tripping over his pants that he'd left on the ground. One hand slapped against the doorframe of the bathroom. It was so loud in the silent room. He winced when he heard sheets shifting behind him. Vessel didn't say anything. He hoped he was still asleep. As quiet as possible, he got the bathroom door shut and turned his phone flashlight on. The glass Vessel must use to rinse his mouth gleamed. Perfect. II put his phone down and put the glass over the flashlight. The bathroom was illuminated without blinding II. Fuck . No toothbrush here. He began poking through the cabinet under the sink and found a package of unopened toothbrushes. Thank you, Vessel . He stole Vessel's toothpaste and tried to go through his morning routine in silence. 

Nevertheless, when he came back out, Vessel was sitting up. 

“Take my car. I'll find a way to you later,” Vessel's voice was deep, tired. II could just see his hair sticking up in several directions. 

“Okay, thank you,” he whispered back. Vessel flopped back down and pulled the sheets over his head. 

“Go make noise downstairs,” he grumbled from underneath the sheets. II snickered, and swept his gaze over the dark room. He saw what was probably a shirt on the floor. Picked it up, found it was a shirt, put it on and inhaled Vessel. Not his shirt then. He didn't bother to find his, just walked out of the bedroom and flipped his flashlight on again. Vessel's keys gleamed in the bowl on his breakfast bar. 

The drive to the gym didn't take enough time. II wasn't ready. He knew he wasn't ready. But, there was no jeep in the lot, not yet. He still had time. He parked next to his car. Wondered how Vessel would get to him, wondered when. Wanted him here. He didn't know how to talk to Ivy about this. He needed to talk to Ivy, though. 

II laughed at himself. He realized all he wanted to do was talk to his best friend about this, and he couldn't. He ran his hands through his tangled hair before getting out. The early morning air was cold. It felt good against his overheated cheeks. He was nervous. 

“This is fucked,” he mumbled, unlocking the gym and heading inside. He didn't lock the door. He didn't know exactly when Ivy would show up, but he wanted to be ready. The lights hummed. He switched the computer on, unlocked the front door. When he was hanging his stuff in his locker, the office door swung open. Ivy huffed, chucking his bag down on the bench. He had a travel mug that rattled as he opened it. Iced coffee. II inhaled, bracing himself. He didn't know exactly what he was bracing himself for. Maybe Ivy went home, with III, and realized that was all just a mistake. A heat of the moment passionate…thing that wouldn't happen again.  That would make the most sense. He braced for it. 

“You look like you’re about to be shot,” Ivy commented. He relaxed his face. Could feel that he had had it all squidged up. Then, he realized what Ivy had said and laughed. 

“I guess I kind of feel that way,” the tension he had been feeling began sliding off his shoulders, just a little bit. 

“Well, I guess we should…you know. Talk. Before someone comes in,” Ivy’s shoulders were tense too. Almost braced, just like him, if he had to put a name to it. 

“I’m sorry I punched you,” that seemed like an easy place to start. Seemed like something Ivy couldn’t dispute, or derail. 

“Yes, well, I’m not sorry I fought back,” 

“Are you sorry...the other thing happened?” II asked, cautious. He didn’t want the answer, but he needed it. Ivy sipped his iced coffee, looked at him over the lid. 

“I can’t say I am,” he met Ivy’s gaze. Steady. Calm. Almost…cold. “But I understand you are,” anxiety, dread, pain formed into a ball in II’s stomach. Words burst out before he could formulate an actual thought. 

“No, I’m not. Not at all. I kissed you. You’re my best friend. It just made so much goddamn sense to me to kiss you then. I don’t know how I didn’t see before that I… I actually do like you. In a romantic sense. I guess I was blinded by the idea that we’re best friends. I didn’t want to lose that-”

“You won’t,” Ivy cut him off. “Stop talking for a second,” he did. He waited for Ivy to speak again. Ivy drank more coffee. “Okay,” he began, then paused. Ivy reached out and grabbed II’s hand. “Do you want us to date or fuck?” 

“Yes,” he answered immediately, squeezing Ivy’s hand. “I keep thinking about what Vessel said III said, about us being hot, about wanting you there. But also. You deserve everything. III does a lot, but I want to…do it too,” 

“Will Vessel be okay with it?” 

“He says he will, yeah. I’m not sure how it’ll all work, but-,” 

“III wants us all to talk. Together. So, I guess we can figure it out then,” 

“Like a…group date or something?” Ivy shrugged. “Well, I guess we could all get dinner. I think that would be…smart actually. To talk this out, all together,” 

“I could cook,” Ivy offered, now smiling. 

“Wait. Do you want us to date or fuck?” II realized he’d never gotten a grip on what Ivy wanted. 

“Well…yes. Um. More fucking than dating, maybe? I want us to be friends more than dating, I think. For now,” Ivy stumbled over his words. It was…cute. 

“Yeah…yeah, that works for me too,” II smiled. “I… should we text them? To organize a dinner? I’ll text Vessel, you text III. Maybe we can do it sometime this week,” 

“Just…make a group chat. Might be useful,” Ivy offered as II fumbled for his phone. 

“That’s a great idea,” he found his phone and started a group chat. A doorbell chime went off. “Shit, someone is here. Let’s uh…we’ll have to keep talking,” 

“I have a recipe for habanero mango chicken I’ve been dying to try. I’ll pick the stuff up when I go to the store tomorrow,” 

“That sounds awesome,” II was already walking out the door, but he paused, swooped down and kissed Ivy on the cheek. “Can’t wait,”

Chapter Text

III threw the controller down after Vessel shot him. 

“You’re too fucking good at this,” he laughed, shoving his shoulder into Vessel’s. 

“Nah, you just don’t pay enough attention,” an awkward silence settled over them. III fought to keep quiet. He could see it in the wrinkle on Vessel’s brow - he was going to say something. III’s phone buzzed, pulling his attention down. It was a message from II. A group chat. 

We should all talk. Dinner at Ivy’s? III immediately fired a response back. 

You’re inviting us all to a house that isn’t yours? 

“Vessel, rein your boyfriend in. He just invited everyone to Ivy’s house,” III rolled his eyes back in his skull. Vessel dug around in the couch, likely looking for his own phone. 

“What are you talking about?” it wasn’t really a question. Vessel found his phone and began typing. “I guess II and Ivy talked it out this morning,” III groaned. 

“I guess we should talk this out, too,” he muttered. He didn’t want to. Didn’t know how to put what he was feeling into words. He stood up. “Let’s go for a run,” 

“What, now?” Vessel’s brows were furrowed. “We can’t just…talk?” Vessel looked almost hurt by III’s question. His phone vibrated and pulled his attention from Ves. 

Ivy is allergic to texting. Dinner soon? III rolled his eyes. And didn’t respond. II…got on his nerves, sometimes. He had realized it when he’d seen II and Ivy fighting. Had needed time to pinpoint what he was feeling, but now he knew. He needed time to figure out what he felt about Vessel too. 

“Running helps me think,” III needlessly explained. He knew Vessel knew that. 

“Will you listen to what I have to say first? I’ve been thinking a lot,” 

“Of course you have,” he was feeling agitated, too big for his skin. He didn’t want to have this conversation. Wouldn’t have to, if he hadn’t seen them together. If he hadn’t put Ivy through all of this. He knew that Ivy wanted to be with II, kind of like they were together. He also knew that he didn’t really feel that way about Vessel. He didn’t want too much to change. He just wanted to…fuck him. Sometimes. But he still wanted his best friend to be his best friend. Vessel was just fucking looking at him, staring. It was making him feel weird. He did NOT want to feel weird around his best friend, and he hated that he did. “I wish I’d never seen it,” he blurted out. Things would be easier if he hadn’t seen them. 

“Really?” Vessel cocked his head. “I don’t feel that way at all. It let to II and Ivy having a far overdue conversation, I think,” III shook his head, not wanting to be responsible for the mess that had resulted. 

“I just want this to be fun. I just want to make Peaches feel good, and see him smile, and maybe fuck you a bit also,” 

“Well, that’s what I want with II, so, I guess we’re on the same page?” 

“Are we?” 

“You’re my best friend, and I won’t lose you. I think if we were dating, it would totally fuck our friendship. I value our friendship too much to risk it. But you’re hot, and you like my boyfriend. And our boyfriends like each other,” Vessel paused. 

“I like you more than your boyfriend,” III’s heart was pounding. He was valuable to Vessel. He knew that, objectively. But it felt so good to hear. 

“You haven’t spent enough time with him, then,” Vessel laughed at that. III almost fought that point, but then he kept talking. “I get what you mean. I just want II to be happy. And if that requires both me and Ivy, then I want him to have that,” 

“So…we’re not dating?” 

“I don’t really want to,” Vessel cut to the heart of it. The tension rolled out of III’s shoulders. He wanted his best friend, not another boyfriend. 

“Well, I don’t really think I want to either,” 

“Our boyfriends want to date each other,” Vessel then informed him.

“That’s…I’m okay with that,” III didn’t care, as long as Ivy was happy. 

“What’d you say? We’re boyfriends in law ?” he laughed then. 

“Look, man. It makes sense. Our boyfriends are together, and we’re with our boyfriends. Ergo, Latin, we’re boyfriends in law,” 

“I’m glad you worked that out,” Vessel laughed. His eyes looked clouded over. III’s gut churned. He thought it was just the stressful conversation. “You…look like you could use a run,” 

“A run would help me, I think. Do you want to go with me?” Vessel nodded, getting up. “I’ll get you some shorts,” he jogged up Vessel’s stairs, heard Vessel behind him. He went to Vessel’s room, began rifling around for shorts for him. 

“I can get my own shorts, but thank you,” Vessel was laughing as he shuffled out of his sweatpants. III handed him a pair of shorts, one that made his ass look really nice. 

“I’m glad my boyfriend in law is hot,” he mused. A boyfriend and a boyfriend in law. And…whatever II was. Whatever II was, he realized he couldn’t wait to throw his little ass around. Or watch Vessel throw him around. He ignored the way his gut was still messing with him. It had been ever since Vessel had said he didn’t really want to date him. As Vessel locked up, he really hoped their run would clear that weird feeling up, and clear that strange look in Vessel’s eye.

Chapter Text

Ivy set the two paper bags down on his counter. Plastic crinkled - the chicken thighs were wrapped. He had about six hours to let the chicken marinate, which was going to have to be enough. He set his tablet up, pulled up the recipes and got to work. He was careful to make sure everything was gluten free for II. The marinade mixed up quickly and was simple. He wanted the habanero sauce to speak for itself once it was made. The bag he wasn’t digging around in tipped, sending a can of coconut milk falling to the floor. He stopped it with his foot, sighed, and continued dicing the chicken. He got the chicken into the marinade and washed his hands. Chicken marinating, he realized he had no plan to kill the next six hours. He wondered when they’d start showing up, wondered who the first to arrive would be. 

If he had waited five minutes before wondering, he would know the answer. II pulled into the driveway on his bike, engine roaring. Ivy unlocked the door, and settled on his couch. II knocked, then opened the door. 

“Hey,” Ivy called. He heard II’s helmet thunk, then his boots unzipping. 

“Hey, sorry, I could not wait,” 

“Who’s watching the gym?”

“I have employees other than you, you know,” II laughed. “It’s fine. I’ve got the music guy on it. He’s been dependable,” II swung himself over the back of the couch, landing next to II. “Do you think they talked it out, too?” II’s tone betrayed his nerves. 

“I hope so, otherwise this will be…weird,” Ivy settled on, though he didn’t think that was what it would really be. He thought back to what III had said to him. 

“You think you wanna be with II?” III’s voice was neutral. Open, honest curiosity. Ivy swallowed, unsure of how to approach it. 

“Less than I want to be with you,” he eventually came out with. “If I have to choose, I want to be with you,” 

“I’m not saying you have to choose,” 

“Feels weird. I don’t want to lose you. I l-,” he cut himself off. “I like you too much to lose you,” 

“Okay, I get that. Say, like I said, you don’t have to lose me. Do you wanna be with II, too?” 

“I...well…kind of? I want to try, anyway,” III nodded. 

“Can I be gross?” he followed up with. 

“Uh…I guess,” Ivy didn’t know where he was going to go with that. 

“Cool. I really wanna watch you guys. I wanna see you both. Wanna… do a lot,” Ivy couldn’t help his smile then. Yeah, he wanted that too. 

“Do a lot? Like what?” 

“Just…be with you. Watch you fuck him. Watch him fuck you. Eat you out after he fucks you… watch Vessel throw him around. Throw him around. Throw you around,” III was mumbling, trailing off. 

“Sounds hot… so I don’t have to give you up, if I want to try…being with II?” he asked. 

“Nah. I don’t mind. Maybe we’ll all end up together. But I don’t think II likes me that much,” III laughed. Ivy wondered. 

“Uh. Do you want to be with II, as well?” 

“Not really. Not yet. I don’t know him that well,” III didn’t have to think about his response. It made Ivy feel like he was on the back foot again. He was always on the back foot with III. 

“What about Vessel?” III’s eyes got wider when Ivy asked that. He shook his head slightly. 

“I’m…I’d rather talk to Vessel before deciding,” it sounded like he was dragging the words out of his throat. 

“Okay, I mean. That’s fine. But what do you think you want?” there. Ivy saw fear on III’s face. 

“I don’t know,” III whispered.
“III said he didn’t know if he wanted to be with Vessel too,” Ivy admitted. He wasn’t entirely sure if he was supposed to be telling II, but he figured it could help them both prepare. 

“Vessel didn’t say anything, actually. He just made sure I was okay,” II frowned, his brows pinching together in concentration. “That’s… hm. I hope they talked,” 

The time passed quickly with II there. 

All too soon, car doors were shutting outside. They had come together in Vessel’s car. Ivy was in the kitchen, preparing the chicken. He had assigned II to chopping a few things. 

“Can you get them? I’ve got chicken hands,” he laughed when II made a face. 

“Ew. Yeah, I’ll get them,” 

“It’s not that gross, you eat it!” Ivy hollered after him. 

“Eat what?” III immediately asked. “Ass?” 

“Behave,” Vessel whacked his shoulder lightly as they all came into the kitchen. 

“No, no. Everyone out. Into the living room. Too many people in here,” Ivy shouted the moment they were all in his kitchen. “Out,” he pointed toward the living room, sending III and II scattering. Vessel…did not listen. 

“Can I help?” he offered. 

“That’s sweet. But no. I’m almost done, I just have to fry the chicken and blend the sauce,” 

“Okay. Shout if you need help,” Vessel sighed like the whole world was on his shoulders before sulking out of the kitchen. Weird . 

It only took about twenty minutes for Ivy to get everything into serving dishes and on the table. Even the rice had come out perfectly. III came in and wrapped himself around Ivy, kissing his cheek. 

“Hi. It smells really good,” III reached around and grabbed one little chicken bite, popped it in his mouth. “It is really good, holy shit,” 

“And that’s without the sauce,” Ivy beamed, proud as shit that it had turned out. “Vessel, II,” he called, hoping they’d come in quickly. He wasn’t sure if the batter would hold up once it cooled, though he really hoped it would. II and Vessel did come in, with Vessel inhaling deeply and grinning. 

“I love coming to Ivy’s house, it’s always safe to eat here,” II grinned. Vessel smiled at Ivy, before looking at II again. He was clearly smitten. It was disgustingly cute to see. They were all settled in moments, with Vessel and III diving right in. Vessel moaned when he tried the sauce. 

“Holy shit you can cook,” Ivy decided to not mention that the recipe was basically foolproof, and that he’d tested the sauce before serving with the plan to throw it out if it was bad. 

“Thank you,” he couldn’t help his little smile at the silence that had fallen over the kitchen. They ate in silence, mostly, with noises of appreciation making his heart swell up. Well. Until III started humming. He was making random cute little noises. II met his eyes and raised one eyebrow. He interpreted that as ‘should I start?’ to which he nodded. II swallowed and cleared his throat. 

“So… Ivy and I want to try dating. While still dating you guys. Is… are you guys okay with that?” 

“Yeah. I am, anyway. I shouldn’t speak for III,” Vessel was nodding as he spoke. 

“I am also okay with it, so long as Vessel and I can join every now and again,” III’s grin was salacious. Ivy looked at II. II flushed bright red. 

“I’m more than okay with that,” Ivy answered III’s grin. II flushed redder. Vessel was watching II. 

“Me too,” he added in, also grinning.

“I might not make it out of this alive,” II groaned. The laughter that filled Ivy’s kitchen made his heart feel as though it would burst. “So. Ivy and I dating…is something everyone is alright with as long as we also fulfill your perverted sex dreams?” 

“If I recall correctly, the perverted sex dreams are part of what sold you,” Vessel interjected. “Along with…what did you say… everything made sense when you kissed him?” Vessel pointed at Ivy with his fork. Ivy felt his own face get hot then. Everything made sense? III held his fist out to Vessel. 

“Gottem,” he laughed when Vessel fist bumped him. 

“So…we’re all dating?” Ivy asked, remembering what III had said before. III’s face drained of color, as did Vessel’s. 

“Uh…no…not exactly. III and I don’t really want to date,” Vessel winced as he spoke. Anger kind of surged, unexpected and uncontrolled. 

“What! Who the fuck doesn’t want to date him?” he exploded, pointing at III. He had even stood up. Uh…shit . He inhaled hard, trying to regulate himself. “Uh. I mean. Fine. More III for me,” III burst into giggles. 

“Yeah…I’m all yours,” Ivy felt his face heating up more, and an embarrassed smile took over his face. “Vessel and I are just boyfriends in law,” III laughed at his own joke then. II had been silent until that moment. 

“For now,”

Chapter Text

II and Ivy had taken up a majority of Ivy's small couch. III was already on the floor. Vessel, being the popcorn guy, was left to figure out where he was going to sit. III looked up and patted the floor next to him. Vessel shrugged, tore the blanket off of II and plunked down on the floor. 

“Hey!” II shouted. “I'm cold,” he pouted. II was so cute, he could barely stand it. 

“Oh, I'm sorry love,” he set the popcorn bowl on III's legs and stood up. He snapped the blanket open wide and lunged. II squealed, an adorable and undignified sound, at the sudden blanket attack. Vessel got him all wrapped up, cocooned in the blanket and then put II right in Ivy's lap. Might as well get his boyfriend comfortable with expressing affection toward II’s other boyfriend in front of him. He thrilled, arousal punching him low in his gut, thinking about II and Ivy kissing, touching, their smaller bodies fitting perfectly together, fitting perfectly between his and III's bodies on his king sized bed. II and Ivy were staring at each other, startled by their sudden proximity. That’s better . II’s startled little look was so sweet. Vessel nodded to himself, turned and sat back down next to III. He leaned close, nose brushing the shell of III's ear, and whispered. 

“Look at them,” III shivered before turning. Vessel didn't move fast enough, and their noses brushed. III grinned at Vessel, then continued turning his head so that he could look at Ivy and II sitting together. Vessel watched II wriggle out of the cocoon he’d created and get Ivy into it as well. 

“What are you looking at?” Ivy grumbled, wrapping his arms around II’s waist. II was on top of Ivy, lounging across him with Ivy nearly horizontal on the couch. Ivy tucked his face behind II, so that Vessel couldn’t see him anymore. “Turn the movie on,” Vessel raised one eyebrow, but did as Ivy commanded. He settled more fully next to III, leaning on him as the movie started. Vessel wasn’t paying much attention, and wasn't sure what had been selected. He was too aware of everything else in the room. He knew his sweet boyfriend was sitting on top of another man. He knew that, and it was causing a wildfire in his belly. He didn’t know why it was so exciting, but he wanted to watch. He was also aware of each of III’s breaths, his shoulder pressed against him. A thought from a while ago came back and bit him. Having another attractive man mere inches from his face ; he had realized III was attractive right after his first date with II. He had...he had wanted to kiss III then, too. Shit , did that make him a bad person? He was distracted, and then III settled, shifting so he could rest his head on Vessel’s shoulder. A thrill ran through him when III sighed contentedly. Above him, he heard either II or Ivy shifting also, and he found himself fighting off the urge to turn and watch. 

He was…struggling. He wanted to see . Really, he wanted to hold II while Ivy or III had their way with him. Wanted to be held while someone had their way with him. III, especially, could use his slight height advantage on him… Vessel moved, hoping the room was dark enough that III wouldn’t see him adjust himself. He hoped that II was splayed across Ivy right now, hoped their lips were almost touching, hoped they were staring at one another in the dark. III repositioned again, sitting up. He must have been moving too much. He turned his head to apologize, and when he did, his nose brushed III’s again. He was slightly startled, his lips parted on a silent gasp. III’s gaze met his own. Vessel froze. He was so close. He could just…kiss III, right now. He was right there. Soft breaths puffed against Vessel’s mouth. III wasn’t moving. He was breathing the same air as Vessel. Vessel could just…kiss him. It was a wild thought. They didn’t want to date. But, his mouth was almost against III’s already. He was just…going to try. II and Ivy were dating. It would be okay, just to see. Just to check, to make sure they had chemistry for when they all finally played out III’s fantasies that had started this whole thing. He moved, microscopically. Just… III could pull back if he wanted to. But he was going to kiss him. 

The movie went silent for some poignant scene, and because of that, they were both able to hear II and Ivy’s lips separate.

Chapter Text

II shifted, settling his chest against Ivy’s and tucking his head under Ivy’s chin. He tried to keep his attention on the movie, but he was more focused on his best friend’s body underneath his own. His boyfriend had placed him on top of Ivy, likely to assure him that Vessel really was okay with them being…something. Ivy’s hands were loosely draped over his lower back. He shifted again, semi restless. He couldn’t see III and Vessel on the floor. He didn’t think they could see him either. He wondered…Ivy’s hand pressed down, stilling his hips. The blanket shifted, wedging itself into the couch. 

“You’re never this restless,” he barely heard Ivy over gunfire from the film. 

“Sorry,” he could only apologize. He’d move, get off of Ivy and sit on the other end of the couch. He made to do so, and Ivy’s hands tightened around him. 

“Where are you going?” II finally looked up and met Ivy’s eyes. Ivy was pink, and he was smiling.  “Don’t leave,” looking at Ivy, II found it hard to breathe. He needed to feel the heat of Ivy’s pink cheeks against his own. It felt wrong, wanting to kiss Ivy again, even after the discussion at dinner. Even after Vessel had assured him it was alright. Nonetheless, he wanted to kiss him again. He almost apologized again, but Ivy seemed to be thinking the same thing. Their lips met - II wasn’t sure if he’d moved or if Ivy had moved first. It was different from last time, especially given that they had not just been beating the hell out of one another. II’s heart kicked up anyway, thudding against his ribs as Ivy moved his lips. Ivy’s cheeks were warm, warm enough that II could feel that without actually touching them. He found himself pulling back. Shy. Aware that Vessel was just below him. Aware that Vessel probably wanted to see this. It had been different before, when he had had no idea Vessel was watching. It was… something. Knowing that his boyfriend could just…turn his head and find him kissing Ivy. Vessel had placed II right on top of Ivy. He wanted it, to some degree. II wanted it more. He pushed his inhibitions to the side and kissed Ivy again. His blood felt warmer, circling in his veins, now thinking about Vessel ‘catching’ him. He wondered what Vessel would do. Wondered what Ivy would do…wondered if they’d play fight, just so he could watch. Wondered why he wanted to watch that. 

“What are you thinking so fucking hard about?” Ivy whispered against his lips. The color drained out of his face. 

“How can you tell?” 

“Don’t. What are you thinking about?” II bit his own lip, staring at Ivy. He almost said “don't what?” but he knew Ivy would see through it.

“You…,” he tried for flattery. It didn’t really work. Perhaps Ivy really did know him too well. 

“Uh huh. Me…doing what?” 

“Fighting,” he mumbled. Hoping Ivy wouldn’t push for details. Ivy winked at him. 

“Vessel?” Ivy questioned, eyes glittering.

“How the fu-,” he was cut off by the soft press of Ivy’s lips against his. 

“I’ll fight him for you,” Ivy mumbled between kisses. They fell into a dance, kissing and moving softly together. Their lips came apart a little hard, and of course the movie had gone silent. Ivy jumped, their eyes met and they both froze like deer in the headlights. Ivy's leg jerked up, knee hitting II in the butt. “III!” Ivy yelled. He could see more than II. II wondered if III had grabbed Ivy's leg. II couldn't see a lot, but what he could see was III's face moving right next to both of them. Then, Vessel's face.

“Hi,” II breathed. Vessel kissed him right on his burning cheek. When did his face get so warm? 

“Hey, pretty boy,” III only had eyes for Ivy. “Kiss him again,” III was staring at both of them. Ivy leaned and kissed II again. He fell into it, Ivy’s tongue gently touching at his lips. He opened his mouth, let Ivy in. He bit at his lip, just enough to cause Ivy to moan. Ivy pulled back, slightly breathless. A thin line of spit connected them. III’s hand caught Ivy’s chin, breaking the spit. II watched III tilt Ivy's chin toward him, watched III's lips press just where his own had been. Knew III was tasting his spit on Ivy’s mouth. He couldn't take it. He flushed hard, blood staining his skin, and he moved to sit back. Everyone moved. A firm, giant hand landed between his shoulder blades, keeping him right there. 

“Where ya goin'?” III asked. Vessel's hand was on his back. III and Vessel seemed to be perfectly in sync. Had he signed up for more than he could take? Vessel's gorgeous face was so close. Shyness overwhelmed him, and he wanted to hide. He was normally confident, but three sets of eyes were on him. It was too much. But…he wanted more.  

“I..uh..,” Ivy surprised them all by sitting up too. Ivy’s dick was perfectly positioned, and as he sat up, it rubbed against II’s with a friction that had his hips bucking into it. That sent sparks flying up his body. He moaned, so soft he hoped no one heard. They heard. Everything happened fast then. 

“Are we doing this, or what?” Ivy asked, blunt as he'd ever been. III lunged, kissing him again. Vessel snatched II clean off Ivy's lap. 

“Ives, where's your bedroom?” Vessel was as direct as Ivy. What had happened to nervous Vessel, the Vessel who wanted to take their kisses slow over the breakfast bar? II didn't know and right now, he didn't care. 

“Come on,” Ivy jumped off the couch, grabbed III's hand. He was still in Vessel's grip. Vessel didn't set him down, didn't let him walk. Vessel simply shifted so that II was wrapped around him and set off after Ivy and III. II took the opportunity to bury his face in Vessel's neck. His need to hide was sated for a moment. Vessel's hands ran up and down his back as he clung to him. 

“I can't wait for this,” Vessel's voice was just a rumble, breath ghosting against his ear. It sent him into a frenzy, and he found himself mouthing at Vessel's neck, nervous and more turned on than he'd ever been. He worried the skin of Vessel's neck between his teeth, sucking and licking. He wanted to mark Vessel. Vessel was his first, not III’s or Ivy’s. He was ready to see his Vessel, his marks, under Ivy's mouth. Vessel set him down. He reoriented himself, found himself in front of III and Ivy. III and Ivy were tangled up in the doorway, though they separated when II's feet hit the ground. Ivy grabbed his hand and pulled him into his bedroom. Vessel and III followed very close behind, nearly crowding II into Ivy. This was happening.

Chapter Text

III had several things on his mind. The most prominent was watching Ivy and II back away from him, deeper into Ivy's bedroom. He wanted to chase them. Vessel was shoulder to shoulder with him. He was caught up in the fact that he was running his boyfriend down, right into another man's arms. On purpose. With his best friend, who looked so fucking good, right next to him, with the same goal in mind. He was afraid that when he finally got his hands on Ivy, or worse, II, he'd perform a repeat of the Jeep Incident. Vessel had no such reservations. He knocked into III's shoulder and got ahead of him. III grabbed Vessel's arm and yanked him backwards so he could get ahead. 

“Me first,” it was his fantasy first. He wanted his hands on them first. Even if it meant embarrassing himself. Vessel returned the favor, grabbing his arm and tugging. 

“No, I'm stronger than you,” he laughed and pushed Vessel. They started fighting, not hard, definitely playful, but they were fighting. III got Vessel down on the ground and under him. 

“Hah! Stronger than me my ass,” Vessel replied by arching his hips and rubbing against III's dick with his own. III had been hard since he had licked II's spit off of Ivy's lips. Now Vessel was making it so much worse. He was on the ground, under III, arms thrown back, panting lightly and arching up into III. Desire and pleasure coiled around his hips and spine. III had to pull back and stand up. When he did, Vessel sat up. They both looked toward the bed. II was on the end of the bed, on his hands and knees; he had been watching them. Ivy was behind him, with both hands holding II’s shirt up while he kissed up II's spine. II’s face was a mess of pleasure, eyes almost completely closed at Ivy’s touch. III closed his eyes and groaned. II exhaled a moan, and III couldn’t keep his eyes shut. He needed to see this. This was what he wanted. When he opened his eyes again, Ivy was staring right at him. A dark grin was on Ivy’s face. III shivered at that look. 

“Do you still want to eat his cum out of my ass?” if anyone had been touching him, III knew he would have cum then and there. 

“Shit…yeah, yeah I do,” Ivy responded by yanking on II’s sweatpants, trying to get them off. Vessel was sitting up, staring at II. He had something on his mind. He cocked his head to the side, looking at II and blushing. 

“We should,” but he cut himself off. 

“Should what?” III prompted. What was going through Vessel’s mind? 

“Well…if II was to blow me again, but you could touch this time, instead of lurking in the hall like a freak… I want to see what you’d do,” II was currently whimpering; Ivy’s hands were around his dick. Fuck, how did I miss that? III looked. II’s dick was very pretty. It looked better wrapped up in Ivy’s hands than he’d dared to imagine it would. Slick noises started to fill the room. When the hell had they grabbed lube? III wasn’t sure he actually cared, but he felt like he needed to absorb everything that was happening. 

“Somebody needs to prep Ivy,” III realized, out loud. Vessel nodded and immediately got up on the bed. All three of them together on the bed…III was not going to make it. His brain was full of champagne static, and when Ivy handed Vessel the lube, III couldn’t take it. He got his hand around his own dick, rock hard and aching. “Shit…,” 

“You just wanna watch?” II panted, obviously enthralled by Ivy’s hands. Maybe… 

“Shit, no,” III realized there was an opportunity here. II was facing him, with Ivy and Vessel behind. Nobody could stop him from kissing the little shit quiet. 

“You sure? Looks like you’re just ready to have fun all by yourself over there,” II looked smug, but the bite was taken out of his tone by Ivy’s continued slow work on his dick. 

“Would you shut the fuck up?” he was annoyed. II was always like this. 

“Make me,” II grinned, definitely smug now. III leaned forward and kissed him anyway. II’s lips were soft, slightly kiss swollen and very warm. II’s hand wrapped around III’s, the one on his dick. III made a noise; II swallowed it. II moved III’s hand for him, and the puppeteering was doing things to III’s brain. II’s unrelenting dominance in the kiss was making him desperate. The champagne static got louder, and he had to clamp down on the base of his cock when an orgasm nearly overtook him. He was so fucking keyed up, so ready for all of this. He pulled back, just enough to speak. 

“I can’t wait to taste you in him,” II moaned then. III watched his eyes roll back. 

“Ves, is Ivy ready yet?” II looked back over his shoulder, toward Ves and Ivy. III watched Ivy extend himself right up over to II, close enough that they were almost kissing again. 

“So fucking ready,” III nearly bit down on his fist, like a cliche. They were so fucking hot together. II turned, and he lunged. Flattening Ivy, and in turn Vessel, to the bed. 

“Wait, let me up, I wanna watch,” Vessel wiggled under Ivy. They all maneuvered so that Vessel could sit and watch. III nearly sat himself in Vessel’s lap. After a moment of thought, he wiggled his way between Vessel’s legs. II was somehow under Ivy now? And Ivy was sinking right down onto him. II’s eyes crossed slightly as Ivy sat down on his cock. “I love watching him go cross eyed,” Vessel hummed right in his ear. He nearly jumped out of his skin when Vessel’s hand wrapped around his dick. “You like this as much as I do,” Vessel sighed. III was going to crawl right out of his own skin. Vessel pulled his hair back to the side and kissed up his neck. They watched Ivy and II, with Vessel’s hands roaming and III deteriorating into a pathetic mess. III was dancing on the edge of an orgasm.

“II,” Ivy sighed out. When he did, Vessel dragged his hand all the way up III’s dick, with perfect pressure. 

“Fuck,” III couldn’t have stopped it if he’d tried. Which, he didn’t. He was so caught up in the feeling of his best friend’s hand, he wasn’t even surprised. He came all over Vessel’s hand. Vessel groaned as his dick pulsed in his hand.  

“And you call Ivy pretty boy,” Vessel laughed lightly. 

“What?” III was confused. 

“You look so pretty,” he clarified, gently pulling III's hair. III blushed. Vessel started licking his hand clean. III moaned, watching him. 

“III,” Ivy keened. II was thrusting up hard, hands clamped down on Ivy’s hips. Ivy's hand reached out toward III.

“That’s not my fucking name,” II growled, thrusting even harder into Ivy. Ivy whined; his dick jumped when II snarled. II’s hand wrapped tight around Ivy's dick.

“S-sorry,” Ivy replied, stuttering on a thrust, but obviously biting a smirk back. II flipped them over, and hitched Ivy's leg up over his hip. 

“I bet you can't wait to get your pretty mouth on Ivy's cum filled ass,” Vessel was panting next to III's ear, talking loud enough for everyone to hear. Vessel's voice must have sent II over the edge. He moaned low, stilling inside of Ivy. 

“Shit,” III's dick was already starting to fill again. II pressed his forehead to Ivy's for a second. He pulled back, gently pulling out of Ivy. The second II was out of the way, III got in between Ivy's legs. Ivy pulled his legs back, tilting until his asshole was exposed. It glistened. III felt drool gathering at the corner of his mouth. II's cum. Ivy's ass. He leaned down and forward. Ivy's leg draped over his shoulder. 

“III, please,” Ivy moaned as III got closer. He used his leg to push III closer. III inhaled hard, noisy. Made Ivy and II both moan. He moved, laughing to himself. He flattened his tongue, licking firmly right over Ivy's used hole. Salt, sweat, musk, II and Ivy exploded on his tastebuds. “III!” 

A hand buried itself in III's hair, pushing him into Ivy. He couldn't hold back. It felt like II's hand. The taste was everything he had dreamed of. He moaned, licking and sucking and swallowing like a starved man. 

“Will you lick my cum out of II's mouth, next?” 

He pulled back, fighting II's hand to take a breath. III ignored Vessel, and ignored the way that idea excited him. He dove back in, desperate to get all of the cum out of Ivy, half insane for his lover. Ivy started riding his face. 

Chapter Text

III's breath puffed warmly over Ivy's asshole. His sore, abused, stuffed asshole, just starting to drip II's cum. II. The thought alone had Ivy's eyes rolling back in his skull. II had fucked him. Ivy had ridden II until II came. He had gotten to sit down on his best friend's dick and make him cum. He knew that earlier, he had sighed II's name, and III had cum as a result. Now… II buried his hand in III's hair, forcing III's face into his asshole. III moaned like he had never tasted anything so good before. Ivy heard Vessel ask “Will you lick my cum out of II's mouth, next?” 

Ivy imagined it. He wanted to see Vessel fuck III's skull until III cried. III seemed to want it, aggressively licking and sucking until Ivy thought he might cum from III's tongue. One big hand wrapped around his ass cheek, III hummed so the vibrations shook his hips. Ivy wanted to ride, he hadn't gotten enough of it from II. He moved, grinding against III's mouth. He risked a glance down, saw III's eyes roll back as he settled against the mattress. The eye contact was killer . 

Something sweeter than desire curled up at the base of his skull. Vessel's face appeared over his own. 

“What do you want him to do to you next?” 

“I…I don't…oh,” Ivy dissolved into a breathless moaning puddle when III worked a finger inside of him. Vessel clicked his tongue at him, gentle but condescending. 

“Kiss him,” II commanded. Vessel whipped his head back toward II. “Kiss him,” Ivy could hear the challenge in II's voice, like he was daring Vessel to disobey him. Vessel turned back to him.

“Can I kiss you?” Vessel asked. III chose that moment to resume his filthy makeout session with Ivy's asshole. Ivy gasped at the heat and feeling, his eyes shooting wide open. He remembered to nod. Vessel nodded with him, licking his lips and asking a desperate “yeah?” before giving Ivy possibly the filthiest kiss he had ever experienced in his life. III continued eating him out. He couldn’t take it. His hips bucked of their own volition, grinding down on III more than before. Stars burst hard behind his eyes when a hand (he didn’t even know who’s) wrapped around his dick, lube slicked and hotter than the sun. 

“Can’t let them have all the fun, can I?” II’s voice. II’s hand. Oh, fuck . Vessel bit down on his bottom lip, II twisted and III curled a finger into his prostate. Not even superman could have fought his orgasm off. Whips of heat blew through his entire body, his heart raced, his belly clenched hard. Electricity pounded through his veins, he stained II’s hand, shooting up on his own chest even. He couldn’t think. All there was was ecstasy blazing a path through his body and mind. 

It took a minute, or several, he wasn’t sure, for him to come back down to earth. When he did, when he dared to raise his head up, Ivy took in the scene before him. III was looking right at him, from between his legs. III was wrecked, a mess of spit and his smile. II was sitting near him, licking his hand clean. Ivy’s dick twitched hard at that. Vessel was watching II, reaching for II’s hand. II held it out, and Vessel licked at whatever mess Ivy and II had left on II’s hand. 

“ Fuck ,” Ivy panted. They all looked at him then. He felt something warm and heavy settle in his chest. They…they all wanted him. All three of them were taking pleasure from his pleasure. He , Ivy, was getting them off. They were licking his orgasm off of II’s hand. III loved him. He knew it then. II had always loved him. They had been best friends for he didn’t even know how long anymore. And Vessel… he was a gorgeous mystery that had stolen II’s heart and then given it back . 

“Hi, pretty boy,” III crawled up Ivy’s body. 

Ivy had never felt loved before, and now he was feeling it three times over. 

Hours later, they were all clean. III’s phone buzzed near his head. He picked it up, almost without thinking. It was an email, from someone with “Attorney” in front of their name. What the hell was III up to? 

CK MODELING CONTRACT, FINAL VERSION - sent with DocuSign.  

III snatched his phone back before Ivy could look any further. 

Chapter Text

Vessel watched III move around his kitchen like he owned the place. III was attempting to brew (one of II’s) redbulls with coffee. 

“When will II be over? I can’t wait to make him try this,” III smiled mischievously. “Oh, also…,” Vessel knew that tone. III had a new look on his face. It was the same look he had the first time he had posted Vessel to his channel. The one where they had gone viral.

“What have you done now?”

“Nothing you won't enjoy,” 

“III, what is it?” The way III wasn't telling him was making the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He scratched at his jaw, felt that he needed to shave. 

“I…maybe have signed us up for a…,” 

“III, I'm not running another marathon with you,” 

“ACalvinKleinad,” III mumbled under his breath, but Vessel caught it. 

“YOU DID WHAT?!” Vessel shouted. That was so much worse than a marathon. He’d run a marathon. 

“It’s just one shoot, for their next spring collection. You like underwear, what’s the issue?”  

“UNDERWEAR?!” 

“Oh, come on. It'll be fun,” III replied, easy going smile reaffixed to his face. “You're not actually mad, are you?” Vessel paused to consider. He didn’t want to do this, he didn’t think. But maybe he wasn’t sure. And he’d get to see III modeling underwear…maybe it wouldn’t be all bad. 

“You’re doing it too, right?” III grinned wider. 

“Of course. Who wouldn’t want to look at you modeling?” Vessel flushed at III’s more salacious grin. He was more familiar with that side of III than he had ever anticipated being. Having a lap full of III and a palm full of his cock had made Vessel want more. Watching III and Ivy together had been an absolute treat. Vessel raised his eyebrow in warning anyway. I can’t lose him. 

“Thought we weren’t doing that?” immediate regret. He wished he could rip the words back out of the air. III looked like a kicked puppy. He hid it quick, but Vessel saw it. 

“Hah, yeah, you’re right,” III moved around the island, turning his back to Vessel. “When will II be here?” he held the coffee up. 

“I’m not sure,” Vessel was worried now. III had brushed it off, but it had looked like he wanted to say something more about them not dating. But, if he wouldn’t say anything, neither would Vessel. He checked his phone just as the front door opened. “Now, I believe,” he smiled. III did not meet his eyes. 

***

“This is how we die,” Vessel muttered. III had insisted on driving. 

“Calm down,” III replied, head rolled toward Vessel. 

“Watch the fucking road!” he couldn’t help but shriek. III was a maniac. And they were out of the city, headed to fuck knows where. Eventually, after he nearly died of a road related heart attack, III pulled up at a warehouse looking building. 

“This is how we die,” Vessel repeated, more to himself this time. He could not believe that III had talked him into this. A fucking underwear advertisement. He’d be in stores. Nearly naked. He couldn’t do this. “I can’t do this,” he said, on the edge of hyperventilating. 

“Yes you can,” III rolled his eyes. “We’re going to make bank off of this,” 

“No, no I can’t,” 

“Vessel, you are one of the hottest people to walk planet Earth. You are not going to let white boxers defeat you. Come on. You’re all primped and prepped anyway, you know you want to,” 

“One of the hottest?” 

“Neck and neck with Peaches,” III looked so confident. Vessel found that he wanted to believe III about this. He also wanted to see III in Calvins. 

“Neck and neck, huh?” III shook his head, laughing. 

“Fishing for compliments? Careful, I’ll call you pretty boy too,” Vessel’s stomach swooped. 

***

Vessel was deeply uncomfortable, and kind of cold. He stood in a room, on a white drop cloth, with another white cloth behind. Where the fuck is III ? He was alone, shirtless, wearing unbuttoned jeans. Calvin Klein branding popped out over the top. They were white trunks, nearly sheer. His darker red hair, nearly brown, was almost visible, happy trail sure was. One makeup artist had wanted to shave it, but some assistant producer had nearly jumped down her throat about it. 

“We have a lot to model today, so, let’s start,” the same assistant producer began directing him around, telling him how to stand. How to pose. He did five or six poses before III breezed back into the room. Also in jeans. His branding wasn't plain black and white, it was rainbow. 

“We can model for pride, right?” 

“That is part of your contract,” the producer handling them seemed very no-nonsense, very uptight and very done with III. “Let’s begin,” 

So, they did. Vessel found himself in every color of the rainbow. And a few not in the rainbow. He also found himself in III’s arms. Repeatedly. At the direction of that producer. She had III on the ground at one point, and Vessel on top of him, like he was riding him. The whole thing was…sort of…driving him crazy. Up a wall. He was constantly touching III, who was almost naked. A few times, they had both had to ask for breaks. That was usually when the producer had them change again. It went on for hours, it seemed. Makeup touch ups, hair touch ups, both himself and III having to collect themselves. The friction of fabric over his skin was even getting to him. The producer handed him something new on one of the hangars during one of his five hundred changes. 

“Is this a jock strap ?” 

“It is. Did Mr. III not tell you about this?” III hadn’t told him anything. Vessel rolled his eyes. He could feel himself turning bright red. 

“What do you think the answer to that is?” He tried to be good natured about it, but he was holding a black jockstrap with rainbow lettering on it. “Fine,” he said, sighing. III had clearly signed some sort of contract. He figured he had to, or he’d get III in trouble. So he slid the jockstrap up his thighs, adjusted the actual strap and made sure it was laying flat, and walked out. III was in the same thing, thank fuck. And he actually looked really good. III turned. III saw him, III’s jaw dropped. 

“Holy shit, Vessel,”

Chapter Text

II had not been to a rugby game in several years. He had only come because he had nothing else to do on a Saturday morning, and he didn’t want to just sit at home. Well, and Ivy had asked. It was a tournament of games, several to be played over the weekend. II wasn’t going to pretend  he understood exactly what each game meant. He would just celebrate when Ivy won. And Ivy would win. Often. Repeatedly. II sat on the nearby bleachers, cocooned in a sweatshirt Vessel hadn’t yet noticed was missing from his duffle. He checked in with Headphones via text, making sure he’d gotten to the gym on time with such short notice. II felt bad about disturbing employees before their shifts, but Ivy had asked so he was there. 

The sun was beating down. II had come out of his sweatshirt. Ivy limped off the field. Limped . He flopped down by all the player bags. II jumped up, rushing down to figure out what was wrong. 

“Hey,” Ivy flashed a pained grin. 

“Your knight in shining armor?” Sam asked from nearby. Ivy rolled his eyes, and II could swear he had bit back a smile too, before more pain flashed over his face.

“What happened?” II demanded. He didn’t want to sit through good natured teasing. He was thinking about nerve damage, muscle damage. Ivy had favored his left side. He’d been taking hits all morning. Ivy rolled his neck and looked up at II from the ground. “You’re hurt,” 

“I’m fine,” 

“He’ll rub some dirt on it and be back on the field in five,” 

“Dirt?!” 

“You’d think that after being my best friend for years, you’d know the expression,” Ivy’s voice was dry, but it was also pinched by pain. He’s in pain. 

“You’re in pain. What happened? What was the breaking point? Where was the hit that caused the pain?” 

“Nothing is broken. I just. Took one hit too many. I'm fine, II,” 

“No, you're not. I can see it on your face, Ives. You're in pain,” 

“Even if I am, which I'm not , it's just muscular,” II folded his arms and stared down his nose at Ivy. 

“I don’t think you should go back out there,” 

“I’m fine , II. You’re so bossy,” Ivy squinted up at him. Then a real smile cracked across his face. “You’re cute when you’re mad though,” Ivy hopped up and shook himself out. “You can’t stop me,” he jogged away. II stared after him, mouth opening in shock. He stood, shocked that Ivy hadn’t listened. 

“Please don’t get hurt,” II mumbled under his breath. Ivy, of course, did not listen. 

Ivy limped off the field after the last game of the day. He was not walking right at all. II’s mind was crowded with worry. He flopped down, just as he had before. II, just as he had before, raced down to him from the bleachers. 

“It’s just muscles. A shitload of protein and a night of rest, and maybe some heat and I’ll be fine , II,” before he could say anything, Ivy continued. “Burritos?” 

“You’re really fine? I could check you out, you know. Make sure you’re alright,” 

“Pfft, only if you throw in a massage,” Ivy laughed. II nodded. 

“Okay, burritos and then a massage. Your place or mine?” Ivy stood up. Crowded II up against the side of the bleachers. 

“Vessel better be careful. Another offer like that and I might just have to take you all for myself,” Ivy’s voice was low, all pain gone, and it was very flirtatious. II flushed bright red. He had not expected this sort of thing out of Ivy, not without III around. He didn’t quite…know the rules of this whole thing. Ivy grabbed his chin, pulled his lip out from between his teeth. Ivy’s smile was something II knew for a fact he had learned from III. 

“My place,” II breathed out in response.

Chapter Text

III picked his jaw up off the ground. Vessel was standing in front of him, hands clasped behind his back. In a jockstrap . He looked nervous and shy with bright red cheekbones. III wanted to kiss those cheekbones. What ? III swallowed hard, trying to clear the dryness in his throat. 

“Holy shit, Vessel,” 

“Thank fuck they made you wear one too,” Vessel broke into a nervous smile, shuffling from side to side. 

“You look stunning ,” III couldn’t help himself. He walked toward Vessel, almost grabbed him. He stopped himself with a weird aborted jerking motion. 

“You okay?” Vessel asked, eyes following his hands, which he now tucked behind his own back. He nodded. 

“Let’s finish up,” the producer interrupted. III nearly jumped backwards. “Okay, on that background,” she gestured. “Okay and. Yeah. Perfect. Now, this is for pride, so act like a happy couple,” Vessel’s eyes went comically wide at that. 

“A couple? Yeah, sure, okay,” III agreed, smiling at Vessel and grabbing his hip, tugging him close. He found it too easy to act like he was with Vessel, instead of just being near him. He remembered everything from that night at Ivy’s house. 

“You like this as much as I do,” Vessel sighed and pulled his hair back to the side and kissed up his neck. 

Vessel shifted, accidentally grinding their dicks together. It wasn’t the best, because they were both soft, but III had to stop himself from chasing it anyway. III was now battling back a hard on, and he almost moaned. Vessel was so close, III watched his pupils dilate at the contact. Vessel’s eyes danced from his lips back up to his eyes, as he readjusted his hold on III. When III held eye contact, Vessel turned bright red again and looked away. 

“No, no, look back at him. That was perfect, especially with that blush,” the producer again. Vessel looked back at him. It was so easy to hold him like this. Vessel’s relaxed abs pressed into his belly, and it felt like something close to heaven. “We know you're each dating other people, but this is acting, so unless you absolutely refuse, now you should kiss,” the producer had given them an out. III wasn't going to let Vessel take it. Before III could lunge, his senses were overwhelmed by Vessel. Vessel's mouth was on his. His eyes fluttered open for a second, on accident sort of, but he had to make sure it was real. Vessel's eyes were shut, long dusky red lashes touching the tops of his soft cheekbones. III slammed his own eyes shut as the camera shuttered. Vessel's sweet, laundry and coffee smell swirled around him. His lips were slightly dry, soft, warm, perfect. III ran a hand up Vessel's body, cupping his neck and pulling him closer. His whole body. Those tiny gold bars rubbing against his chest sent shocks up III's spine. It felt good. The slight drag and almost scrape of them. Vessel exhaled, almost a gasp. III swallowed it. 

“Okay, perfect, we've got it!” The producer announced. They nearly sprung apart. Vessel was redder than ever. 

“C-can I take this off now?” He asked the producer. Before she could really say yes, Vessel was practically running toward the changing stalls. III followed. Vessel sounded so nervous and shy (and cute, but III was not going to think about that. They were not into each other like that. Vessel had been VERY clear about that) that III had to make sure he was okay.

“Vessel,” III started, outside of the small stall Vessel had hid in. 

“We're not talking about it, III. It was just for the ad. That you signed us up for!” 

“Fine,” III muttered. He felt…rejected. But, no. He wasn’t the one sprinting away like his ass was on fire anyway. He wasn't the one gasping into someone else's mouth. He wasn't the one who had even started the kiss! If Vessel didn't want to deal with it, they wouldn't. That was just fine with III. 

Chapter Text

His cock slid wetly in his hand, probably too much lube guiding his hand. He jerked himself hard, pushing and pulling and teasing until he was right on the edge before stopping. He bit down on his own whine. He had almost spent the night with II, but then II had fallen asleep on the couch after housing a burrito the size of his head. So Ivy had gone to bed alone, and had woken up hard as stone. Without even thinking, he had reached for the lube in the nightstand. He had been edging himself for almost ten minutes. He knew it would be so sweet when he finally gave in. His free hand digging sharply into his thigh, he twisted his hand on the upswing and came before he really wanted to. It was just...whoops...the exactly perfect friction to send him over the edge.  Even though he had meant to keep going, satisfaction glowed warm in his belly.

 Ivy felt like his dick hadn't gone down since he had ridden II to orgasm. He wasn't sure why, but he was the horniest guy alive as of late. III had been loving it. They had spent every night together until now, when III was off gallivanting in the countryside with Vessel, doing fuck knows what for some sort of model opportunity. Ivy laid still, panting after his late morning orgasm. He could hear II downstairs. He twisted, slightly, meaning to find a towel. Felt the ache in his back. Found a towel hung on the headboard. Swiped his release away, scrubbing at the bits tangled in his happy trail. He sat up once he was clean and decided to shower before disturbing II. 

He dried his hair and snagged some soft shorts and put them on as he made his way to the kitchen. He was thinking about an iced latte. He found an open redbull sitting on his counter. He could hear II mumbling in the next room, probably wondering where his redbull had gone. Ivy started his espresso machine. That pulled II into the kitchen. 

“Oh hey there's my redbull,” II mumbled, rubbing one eye and stretching. Ivy leaned on his counter and smiled. II turned shy. 

“Did you sleep well?” He asked, trying to be smooth. II nodded, smiling but not making eye contact. 

“‘M sorry I fell asleep,” II replied. Ivy smiled and shook his head, trying to say ‘no apology needed’ without actually saying it. 

“Are you gonna shave?” He asked on noticing II's facial hair had gone a little scraggly. II noisily slurped redbull before shaking his head and smiling. It was a mischievous smile, the one he normally got right before verbally sparring with III. How was he ever going to get his boyfriends to get along?  

“Nah. I'm gonna show III what a real mustache is,” Ivy threw his head back and cackled at that. His espresso finished and he made the latte. “What?” Ivy shook his head, still laughing. 

“You and III are gonna end up in a fight for real,” 

“So? You'd like that,” II also laughed. They both settled on the living room couch. He just got his phone out when III text, telling him the photoshoot thingy went well. Ivy wasn't completely sure what he was up to, but he had seemed excited. 

“Photoshoot?” II read the text. “Vessel said the same thing. Maybe they're together,” 

“They are, did Vessel not tell you?” II shook his head no. Ivy bit his lip, meeting II's gaze. He wasn’t sure about saying this but… He thought III wanted Vessel. He knew , based on their first night together, that Vessel wanted III. “I think Vessel wants III,” II choked on his redbull. He coughed and cleared his throat. II was laughing through his cough. At least Ivy hadn’t angered him. Though another fight isn’t something he’d walk away from, necessarily. 

“What do you mean think ? Did you see the way they were when we were all together?” II laughed. “I mean, III practically jumped into his lap, and he practically ripped III’s pants off. I think it's obvious that Vessel wants to get into III's bed,” 

“No.. no, I think he wants them to date. Like we do,” Ivy finished his latte. II looked over at him, blue eyes wide. Understanding dawned on II's sweet face. 

“Wait. Shit. I think you're right. Does III want him back?” 

“III won't talk to me about it,” Ivy pouted. He truly didn't know. III dodged his every question about it. Just said Vessel and him had agreed, always stressed the agreed, to not ruin their friendship. “Do you think our friendship was ruined by this?” 

“Not in the slightest. I think Vessel and III are kind of ridiculous for thinking that, actually,” II's phone went off. Probably Vessel. “I should talk to him about it. It's painfully obvious now that you've pointed it out. How did I not see it?” 

“Do you think that we should let them figure it out on their own? It seems like there’s a few issues between them. I wouldn’t want to exacerbate it,” 

“Well, I do want to exacerbate it. I will hit them over the head with this,” 

“I just think it’s possibly…not our business?” Ivy questioned. He could see that II had made his mind up though. 

“It might not be. But I want lots more of those nights together, and I think it’ll go better if they just kiss about it or something,”

Chapter Text

The line connected just as he was about to give up. Silence on the other end. Breathing. 

“It's going to rain,” he mumbled. 

“I'm with Peaches,” III replied. Vessel could hear the lie. 

“I'll see you later then,” Vessel ended the call. Things had been wrong with III ever since the photoshoot. Ever since he couldn't own just what that kiss had made him feel. A torrent of desire, lust, love , had flooded his chest. It had felt like…drowning almost. Like he had been an idiot for laying those rules down. Like…like he needed to talk to II, his boyfriend. Who had gone in a VERY different direction when handling his feelings for Ivy. Nerves ripped through his belly, thinking about talking to II. About this. He had never…never really had a serious conversation, a conversation where he could lose everything, with just II before. It had been couched in the safety of all four of them. Now…now he needed to do this alone, with just II. Vessel knew, had known, maybe couldn't remember a time where he hadn't loved II. He hadn't even realized, not until that stupid kiss, that he felt the same fucking way about III. His best friend. For as long as he could remember. And he hadn't been able to just…say it. He couldn't. He still remembered the way he had felt saying he didn't really want to date III, the way it had felt like vomiting barbed wire. It had felt forced. He wondered if he had done it to avoid this. Or worse. To avoid III's rejection. III only wanted Ivy. And II, to a degree. Vessel had greedily taken all he could, when they had all been together. He text II. 

Can we talk

Wait that sounds bad 

Can I talk to you about something 

It's not about you

Before Vessel could finish his next frantic text, II's pretty face was filling his phone. A call. 

“Vessel,” II already sounded resigned. Exasperated. The same way he sounded when he talked to Ivy about injuries. “Are you alright?” 

“Yes,” he answered too fast. He could hear II raising his eyebrow raising. “No. I think I screwed up,” 

“Where are you?” II's lovely voice, high and tight with worry. 

“At home. I'm fine,” 

“Okay, Vessel, sweetheart, I love you. But I am swamped. Can I come to you later and talk…whatever this is out with you?” 

“I love you too,” the warmth that always flushed his cheeks when II said that invaded. 

“You love me?” II replied, the smile in his voice loud and sweet. It made Vessel feel like he could hold it together until II could come over.

*** 

The door opened. 

“Vessel?” II’s voice rang through the entry way. Vessel shot off the couch to meet him. “Sorry it took me so long to get here,” 

“I know you’re doing that big program at the gym right now. It’s fine,” II walked past him, to go get something out of his fridge. Vessel loved how comfortable II felt in his house. II cracked a coke open. Vessel never drank them, but II liked them enough that he kept them in the house. 

“What did you want to talk to me about?” II asked, sitting down on a stool. His nerves shot back up, and he choked on all the words he had thought about saying. He didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to ask. II just…watched. He waited. He was always so patient with him. He was overthinking every word he could say. Looking around at nothing, trying to parse things out. II knocked on the counter. “What’s going on?” he asked, once Vessel met his eyes. Vessel sighed. This was it. He couldn’t avoid it, he had to tell II. He was seeking advice from II. He needed to tell him. 

“III kissed me,” well, that’s not entirely true. He wasn’t sure exactly who had started the kiss. He just remembered the producer saying kiss, and then his lips were on III’s. A stifled snort from II stopped him from rehashing the kiss in his mind. He focused on II again. II was turning red, and biting his lip. Like he was stopping himself from bursting into laughter. “Are you…are you laughing at me?” II shook his head and took another drink. 

“No, no, of course not,” II smiled. Dazzling, gorgeous, thought derailing smile. What was I going to say? “Just. Are you sure he kissed you ?” oh, right . 

“Uh. Pretty sure. You weren’t there, what do you know?” 

“Okay, okay, don’t get defensive on me. Did you think I was going to get jealous or something? Is that why you thought you had screwed up? I don’t think I can get jealous. And you guys looked hot together so, like… it’s fine with me. I hope you didn’t think you needed to ask for permission or something. It’s fine with Ivy too, so,” Vessel blinked. II thought he had looked hot with III. He hadn’t known II had even seen them together. But, no, that wasn’t the point here. Vessel’s need to be right overpowered his nerves about the situation.

“No, I just. I screwed up when I shut the door on III and I being more than just friends,” He corrected before he realized just what he was admitting to. II’s eyebrow curved into a delicate arch that Vessel wanted to kiss. II sniffed once, his nose wrinkling adorably. 

“Is that all?” he asked, voice dry. 

“W-what do you mean, is that all ?” 

“Ask him out! Or punch him. That worked for me,” II laughed. He caught the way Vessel must have looked, and then continued. “I mean. Just. You know how to date. You are, if I may say, an excellent boyfriend. Partner. If you want to date III too, just…start. Ask him. If he kissed you back, anyway,” 

“He pulled me in,” Vessel replied. II’s eyes flashed. Vessel could almost see the filth running through II’s mind at that. 

“Are you going to ask him out?” II was clearly focused on something else, forcing the words out of his mouth. II was staring at his mouth now. 

“I think so,” 

“Good. Is it solved?” Vessel nodded. “Show me how he pulled you in,” II’s eyes were on fire, pupils dilating. Oh . 

“Here?” II nodded, advancing on him. Vessel wrapped his arms around II and pulled him in. 

“Promise you’ll show me exactly what happened, with III, and what you wish would have happened,” II’s voice had dropped. He was into this. Vessel couldn’t say he was surprised, but he was slightly surprised by II’s sudden ‘I must have you now’ attitude. 

“What if I wanted to fuck him?” Vessel was playing the game now. He couldn’t help it. When II was horny, he was following in a split second. II kissed him, hard. Bit his lower lip. He moaned. Remembering what II had said, he ran a hand down II’s body, and pulled him in, just like III had. 

“Show me how you’re going to fuck him,” II panted into his mouth, all heat and desire. Vessel didn’t miss the way II had phrased it. 

“As you wish,” he picked II up and tossed him on the kitchen counter.

Chapter Text

Vessel's mouth . That talented, dark pink, slick, warm mouth. It slid up II’s neck, hot breath making him shiver. He had been thinking about it on III ever since Vessel had started talking about it. And now, it was on him . 

“You like the idea of me with him?” Vessel asked, right before biting II’s earlobe. “D’you like the idea of us?” he was so quiet, but right in II’s ear. Vessel’s soft breaths were so loud in his ear. It was driving II crazy. 

“I…I remember,” II started. “You had III in your lap ,” he could still hear the slide of Vessel’s hand around III’s cock. “You look so pretty,” Vessel had said to III. Vessel kissed down II’s neck, one hand spreading against II’s back as he melted into Vessel. He wrapped one leg around Vessel, pulling his hips so that their cocks were flush together. He rolled his hips. Vessel’s cock slid against his through their pants. Thank fuck for thin sweatpants. Vessel moaned, broken and soft and like he had tried to stop it from escaping. 

“I’d like to have you in my lap too,” Vessel murmured. He was struck by the vision of it. The idea of him sinking down on Vessel’s cock. Feeling it split him open inch by inch. Thought about III sitting down in Ivy’s lap, him in Vessel’s, and III’s arms around him. III would keep II’s mouth busy enough that it couldn’t run away from him. 

“Yeah…yeah. On your dick,” II was panting already. Vessel worked his shirt off and began kissing down his chest. 

“Mm, you wanna take me?” Vessel paused then. Pulled back for a second and assessed II. “You ever taken anyone before?” he asked, gently. II laughed in response. 

“Yeah, don’t worry love,” Vessel’s smile darkened. 

“Y’ever taken anyone as big as me?” 

“Cocky bastard,” but… no. Vessel’s eyebrow raised, like he knew what II was thinking. 

“You’re about to get real cocky,” Vessel snorted at his own joke. II had never heard him snort before. It was adorable . 

“Jesus, you’re so fucking cute,” he kissed where the wrinkle had formed between Vessel’s eyebrows when he had laughed. Vessel smiled. A genuine, soft, sweet smile. It made II feel like he could create world peace, looking at that smile. Vessel leaned in to kissed him again. When Vessel shifted forward, it forced their dicks to rub together again, reigniting that wildifire in II’s belly. He wove a hand up into Vessel’s shaggy hair, tightening his grip and pulling Vessel’s head back. His throat was so long, and so beautiful. II leaned up and kissed down it. The soft gasp that Vessel made was everything to II. He made up his mind. He had to have Vessel. Now. He shifted, wrapping both legs around Vessel and lifting. Vessel automatically wrapped his hands around II’s lower back. Vessel lifted him clean off the counter. It made him dizzy, just how little effort it looked like Vessel was putting in to lift all of II. “I-I need,” II whispered without even thinking. Vessel kissed along his jaw. 

“What do you need, lover?” He asked, nose pressed into the hollow of II’s jaw. 

“You,” II gasped. Vessel grinned against his throat. He yanked II off the counter and carried him…to the living room? “The living room?” 

“I don’t have the patience to get upstairs right now,” Vessel replied, while laying II on the plushy, ornate rug that he’d never paid attention to before. “Is that okay?” Vessel tore II’s pants off as he asked. II had already forgotten the question. “I thought so,” Vessel stuck two of his fingers into his mouth and soaked them in spit. Nerves began to creep up II’s spine. The floor was so sturdy against his back though, and Vessel was looking at him like he needed him more than anything right then. “You look like you’re thinking too hard,” 

“I’m always thinking too hard,” he shot back. Vessel trailed his wet fingers up II’s thigh, scrambling all those thoughts. Vessel’s fingers were so hot as they pressed against his ass. “V-Vessel,” he didn’t even know why he was saying Vessel’s name, or what he was asking for. Vessel pushed, working one finger inside of II. He bent and kissed II’s chest, while gently raking his nails down II’s side. It sent electric shocks through II and he squirmed, accidentally pushing Vessel’s entire finger inside of him. “A-aah!” Vessel’s eyes lit up when he moaned. He leaned up and over II, kissing him again. Vessel bit down on his lip, not hard, but enough that he gasped. His tongue met Vessel’s and Vessel began to make out with him. It was slow, hot, heavy, sloppy. He was lost to the feeling of Vessel’s mouth against his, so much so that he didn’t notice that Ves had worked another finger inside of him until he began to scissor them apart. The stretch caused II to throw his head back against the floor, burning a trail of desire all the way through II. Vessel’s cock would feel so much bigger. His long fingers were almost too much. He wasn’t sure how he was going to take Vessel. He whined. Vessel had this way of just…pulling sounds out of II. 

“Fuck,” Vessel cursed. II was confused. 

“Is something wrong?” 

“Lube,” he muttered. “I don’t have any down here,” 

“C-can’t we use your spit?” II asked before he even realized what he was asking for. Vessel looked down at him, wary. 

“That…that will take a lot of spit. And it might not feel good for you. And I want you to feel good,” 

“Please,” II had never heard himself sound so small. It was almost like he was begging. He didn’t beg. Didn’t know what he was doing, why he wanted this so badly. Vessel exhaled loudly through his nose, clearly making a decision. 

“I should have taken you straight to the bedroom,” he moved, standing and taking II with him. II was so hard. Vessel took his hand and dragged him upstairs. “Come on,” he pulled II along. 

“We could have done it on the floor,” II couldn’t help himself. Vessel cut a glance back at him, and it was searing . 

“Don’t be a brat,” wrong choice of words, Vessel. II came to a dead stop. Is this where III watched him suck Vessel’s dick? “What are you doing,” it wasn’t even a question. Vessel’s voice was lethal. It was so low. II wasn’t sure he had ever heard Vessel’s voice that low before. Vessel tsked, leaned down, and grabbed II by his legs, throwing him over his shoulder. “I said don’t be a brat,” 

“I’m glad to be off the floor,” II adopted an airy tone, trying to act as though Vessel wasn’t even there. “I was starting to worry about my back,” he wanted to piss Vessel off . And from the looks of it, it had worked. Vessel’s gaze was scorching. 

“I’ll blow your back out,” was his only response, before getting his hand around the whole reason that II had been dragged up to the bedroom instead of getting skewered on Vessel’s living room floor. A small smile tugged on his lips. 

“Finally,” 

The lube was cold, even though Vessel had it on his fingers. He writhed on Vessel, trying to be ready before he was. He wanted the stretch, the burn. Not a ton of pain, he never wanted to actually get hurt. But he wanted to feel Vessel opening him up on his dick. They were done talking. Vessel shifted, laying down and pulling II on top of him. He raised his eyebrow, silently asking II if he was ready. II responded by situating himself over the head of Vessel’s cock. The blunt heat of it caused II to flush. It felt filthy. No matter how many times he had done this, with another person or with toys, it absolutely thrilled him. He started to sink down. He paused after the first inch or so, reveling in the stretch, the mild burn, the slide of the lube allowing him to take Vessel. Vessel, for his part, when II looked down, was absolutely blissed out. His eyes were half rolled back, lips swollen and kiss warmed. He moaned as II slid further down. II whined as he worked to take more of Vessel. He sank down further, further, and finally his ass met Vessel’s hips. When that happened, he watched Vessel. Vessel’s hands flew to his hips and held . He stuttered and moaned II’s name. II didn’t plan on moving, not yet. Vessel’s hands wouldn’t let him, either. Except. He rolled his hips in a slow circle. Bliss lit him up as Vessel’s cock brushed against his prostate. 

“F-fuck,” he bucked into it then. Mostly on accident. A little to feel the slide and push of Vessel inside of him. Vessel’s hands tightened, but, not to stop him. He began moving him. The idea that Vessel was just…moving him as he wanted. II almost had to grab his dick to stop himself from cumming. It was like he was just… a toy for Vessel. Vessel moved him up and down, quickly gaining speed. II fell forward, hands clamping down on Vessel’s shoulders. “Vessel!” he yelped. But, he started moving faster. Fighting Vessel’s grip, until he reached one hand back and wrenched one of Vessel’s hands off his hips entirely. He pinned that one hand back up above Vessel’s head, forcing Vessel to arch ever so slightly. The movement forced Vessel’s cock to griiiiiiind against II’s prostate. His vision went white. II took his free hand and dragged it down Vessel’s chest, leaving bright red marks. Vessel bucked up hard at that. II moved in earnest after that, trying to force their orgasms out of them. 

“H-hold on,” Vessel shifted. He didn’t let II come off his dick, but he rearranged them both. Now, Vessel was sitting up, pushing deeper into II. II’s dick was trapped between their bellies, friction driving II made. They were nose to nose. II began grinding again. He did that until Vessel began gasping and moaning for more. His pleas spurred II on. The friction of his dick against Vessel’s belly became something he was chasing. Being split open on Vessel, with his dick trapped so tight between them, rubbing on Vessel’s warm abs, it was as close to heaven as II had ever been. “I love you,” Vessel whispered, before slamming up into II. The way it hit him, combined with the way his own cock slid against the ridges of Vessel’s body had him flying into an orgasm. He felt the mess he was making between them. Vessel followed him to orgasm; the way he clamped down on Vessel must have sent him over the edge. He paused, just breathing for a moment before looking at Vessel again. When he opened his eyes, he could see that he had cum so hard, there was a streak of it on Vessel’s jaw. He leaned in and licked it off. His own taste flooded his mouth. Vessel caught him in a kiss, and he pushed his cum into Vessel’s mouth. Vessel moaned, sucking on his tongue like it was a cock. “You taste so good,” 

“You taste better,” he shot back automatically. He kissed Vessel again. “I love you too,” he remembered Vessel saying it. Vessel grinned. 

“You love me?” they both dissolved into giggles.

Chapter Text

III ended the call. Ivy looked at him. There was curiosity in Ivy’s eyes. 

“Vessel,” was the only explanation that III offered. He had told Ivy about the kiss before. 

“Do you think you need to like…talk to him?” Ivy’s voice was tentative. III knew he had reacted badly the last time Ivy had asked about talking to Vessel. 

“What? No,” III did not make eye contact. Ivy just…exhaled. Not in a disappointed way, not really. Or III hoped not really. “No. He doesn't want to talk,” III heard the rejection in his own voice. “He doesn't want me like that,” Ivy surprised him by badly suppressing a snort. 

“You honestly believe that?” the tentative tone was long gone. 

“W-well, yeah!” he paused, thinking. Ivy’s phone buzzed. “He didn’t want to talk to me,” 

“I don’t call people I don’t want to talk to,” Ivy replied. “Maybe we could talk to him together,” a run. A run will clear my head. 

“We should go for a run,” 

“I can’t. I have that game that I have to head out to soon,” Ivy checked his phone. “II text me, he said that Vessel really wants to talk to you. Even though he said he wouldn’t, whatever that means,” Ivy smiled. “You should call him,” 

“I need to go on a run, Ives. I need time,” coward, his internal monologue called. 

“I’ll tell him,” Ivy tapped out a text. 

“You type like an old man,” 

“I am an old man,” 

“You are not,” III rolled his eyes, and then promptly realized that they had never talked about how old they were. He knew Ivy was a bit older than him, but didn’t figure him a day over thirty five. He still played rugby all the time. Sure, his back hurt sometimes, but III knew he wasn’t over thirty five. He wasn’t. Ivy’s smile twisted a little bit. Like he knew he had won the argument before it started. “You’re not! You’re what, thirty five? At the most?” at that, Ivy turned pink. He couldn’t be more than two years older. He just couldn’t. 

“You flatter me,” Ivy smiled, a full, toothy smile. “But… my fortieth birthday is next month,” III felt his jaw hit the ground. 

“You’re lying,” he almost laughed about it. “You’re damn near seven years older than me? I don’t believe it for a fucking second,” he did laugh. 

“You wanna see my license about it?” Ivy laughed along, but was already fumbling for his wallet. III laughed harder. 

“Yeah! Yeah, I do. I don’t believe you!” no fucking way. Ivy handed over his license. III looked. He counted. He silently handed the ID back to Ivy. “I’ll be damned,” he was not lying. 

“Told you,” Ivy smiled. “You’re cute,” he leaned over and kissed III’s cheek. The delicate gray threading though Ivy’s temples made more sense. III reached out, running a hand through Ivy’s hair, revealing more gray as he moved it. ‘II turned thirty eight this year, if that makes you feel any better,” 

“He did NOT. I’m asking for his ID next time I see him,” III was shocked. By both of them. Was really shocked that he hadn’t found this out earlier, too. 

“You look surprised that a gym owner is in his late thirties,” Ivy remarked. 

“I’m surprised a guy who looks that fucking pretty is in his late thirties. I’m surprised you’re almost forty! You don’t look it at all,” Ivy raised an eyebrow. “Not that that means anything! Just…you look. Really. Really good. You’re so…,” III gestured, trailing off. 

“I’m soo…?” Ivy dragged the ‘o’ out. 

“Hot,” III traced his eyes all the way down Ivy’s body. As he checked Ivy out, he watched Ivy’s dick bounce slightly through his sweats. “How…how much time do we have until you have to leave?” 

“Uh, maybe twenty minutes,” 

“I can work with that,” III lunged. Ivy laughed. 

“Fuck yeah,” he collided with Ivy, clasping around his hips and lifting Ivy over his shoulder. “Shower?” 

“Shower,” III agreed. Ivy’s shower was big enough, it would work. Plus it had that awesome waterfall head that III loved and… he was supposed to be thinking about sex. He could feel Ivy’s dick filling against his shoulder. He swung one hand, spanking Ivy. He could feel the recoil. “Fuck, you have such a nice ass,” 

Chapter Text

"Fuck, you really can't be here today?"

"Welcome to marathon training, Peaches,"

"It's the quarter finals,"

"I'll make sure I'm there for the finals," III sighed. "I really am sorry. But I have to do this. It's for the breast cancer marathon," Ivy felt like an idiot for whining once III let that slip.

"Right…of course. D'you think II will come?" he could hear the smile even before III replied.

"Only one way to find out," he could swear he could even hear III winking.

"Alright, alright, I'll ask him," Ivy hung up the phone and dialed II. II sent him to voicemail. A text immediately came in. Busy, talk later. Shit. He replied. Rugby? But he didn't expect a response. He was doing this one on his own. It was fine. It was fine. He had done tons of games alone…just not since III had come into his life. But he'd be fine. He started stretching, pilfered Sam's foam roller for his hamstrings. He rolled his legs and ass out. Stretched his back, stood up to bend over and touch his toes. Sam ran by and smacked him on the ass.

"Looking good, coach!" Sam laughed, running onto the field. Ivy only grumbled and continued his routine. Can never stretch too much. His mind wandered back to when III had found out how old he was turning in just a few weeks. He had figured he was a fair bit older than III but had gotten something of a thrill out of how III had reacted. He seemed to enjoy that Ivy was older than him. He finished stretching and jogged out onto the field. After just a couple of passes back and forth with a couple of his teammates, the ref blew the whistle. Game time.

Ivy lost himself in the game. Found it so easy. The rhythm was perfect. The churning of legs, his teammates all around him. Hands on his shorts, hands on the ball. Cleats nearly in his face. One gnarly stomp on his thigh. That'll leave a mark. He didn't think of how there was no one in the stands for him. Didn't think of III running. Of II managing the new classes at the gym. Found himself feeling guilty for not even thinking of Vessel. He was still a bit mad that Vessel didn't want to be with III…well. Okay. Furious. Could fight him like he fought II furious. It was clearly hurting III. But III wouldn't talk about it. And II…II was so in love with Vessel he would never allow Ivy to fight him. He just wanted to get it out. Maybe he'd invite Vessel for coffee. Lay into him about how he was hurting his supposed best friend. His thoughts translated to aggression on the field. Before he knew it, he was bruised to hell, pinned and halftime was called. He loped off the field, moving ahead of everyone. Trying to not think about how there was no one for him at the bleachers. He realized that he had taken III's presence for granted. He needed to take a page out of II's extensive book on being a great boyfriend and get him flowers.

"Ivy!" An unexpected shout echoed down to him from the bleachers.

"Vessel?" What the fuck was he doing here?

"Yeah, hi, III sends his love. Found out II couldn't come either, so he sent…me," Vessel shrugged, shoulders curling in. Like he could sense Ivy's natural hostility toward him…which Ivy still believed was warranted, and he would not be rescinding those thoughts without a demonstrative change of heart from Vessel. Like he knew that Ivy wouldn't be thrilled that he was here"You look like you're trying to kill someone out there," he added. A slight smile on his face. They had never been…alone together. Not really. Never long enough for it to matter. They weren't really alone here either, but Ivy felt a magnetic pull. Focused only on Vessel. He was angry. But those clear eyes distracted him. It was like he could see how sorry Vessel was (if he was sorry at all). Ivy couldn't be sure.

"III sent you?" what Vessel had actually said finally processed.

"Yeah. He didn't want you to be alone, he said,"

"I thought you guys weren't talking," Ivy should have swallowed that retort. He met those distracting eyes and saw the broken heart in them. Vessel was devastated, hopefully because he wasn't currently speaking to III.

"I think he'd do anything for you," Vessel kicked at the ground. "Including talk to his idiot best friend, even when he doesn't want to,"

"Well you're smart enough to know you're an idiot," another too snappy retort, especially for when Vessel was clearly owning his issues. Vessel looked back up, half squinting in the sun. Adorable. The thought was unbidden, unwelcome.

"Can we talk after?"

The whistle blew.

***

It felt strangely reminsicent of when he had first ran off the field to kiss III. The same type of anticipation, strange and hot, coiled in his chest. Vessel was standing off to the side. He grabbed his bag and jogged over to Vessel.

"Can we?" Vessel asked.

"Can we what?" Ivy had forgotten his earlier question.

"Talk. About III. Come to my house?" Ivy was already nodding. If he could do anything to assuage III's pain about this situation with Vessel, he would. III wouldn't talk to him, but Vessel wanted to. So, he would. Even though this would probably make III very, very mad.

"Okay, I'll meet you there," they both walked off the field. Vessel stayed slightly behind Ivy. "Drive safe," he called over his shoulder, out of habit.

***

Vessel's house was nice. Vessel let him inside and offered him a drink. He accepted. Vessel took a sip of his tea.

"I really fucked up," Ivy felt his eyebrow raise. He cocked his head. "I don't know how to fix it," Ivy watched, shocked, as Vessel's eyes filled with tears. He didn't know what to say. What would II say?

"I think it's fixable," he decided on. The hope on Vessel's face made his gut squirm uncomfortably.

"I don't know how. I just… do you remember the first time you kissed II?"

"Of course," was his easy reply. It came back to him then, in rain soaked flashes. Immediately watching II slide into Vessel's arms after. Ivy looked at those arms now. Arms that III was desperate to be surrounded by. Arms that had nice definition. Arms that… down boy. He ignored just how pretty he was finding Vessel in this repentant light.

"Did it feel like everything finally made sense?" Ivy nodded. Paused.

"Is that how it felt when you kissed III?"

"Yeah. It felt so right. It felt like everything would be okay, like we'd all work out somehow. I wish I had talked to him. I wish I hadn't run away. I hurt him. I know I did,"

"You did, bu-"

"And now he won't even talk to me. He's been my best friend my whole life. I miss him so fucking much it hurts to even breathe. I miss everything," the intensity in Vessel's gaze had Ivy falling for III all over again. "Even his insistence on early morning runs,"

"God do I hate those," Ivy laughed. He didn't, not really. They meant III was doing good. "Will you talk to him, if I tell him to talk to you?" he decided to help Vessel. The words had come out of his mouth before he had even fully decided, but he couldn't bear that kicked puppy look.

"If I could talk to him. I'd take it all back in a heartbeat. I'd tell him I was so fucking wrong. I want what he has with you. I want what I have with II, with him," Vessel inhaled shakily, tears tracking down his face.

"Woah, hey, it's going to be okay," Ivy was forced into action by the tears. He hugged Vessel hard. Vessel sniffled.

"I miss him," he mumbled. "And now I'm crying on his boyfriend, because I hurt him,"

"Be glad his boyfriend didn't punch you for hurting him like you did," Vessel laughed, the sound wet with his tears. Ivy was surprised by those. He hadn't expected that level of open emotion. They were friends, sure. But he didn't know Vessel that well. He just knew that Vessel wanted his boyfriend.

"Yeah…I want to apologize to him,"

"What if I asked him to come here, now? Since we're both here. He might be open to it?" Vessel sniffed again. Ivy wiped a tear from under his eye. He smothered the urge to kiss Vessel's forehead. Vessel nodded. "Anything to get those tears to stop," he muttered. Vessel laughed again.

"You sound like II now," he stepped back. "Sorry. I uh. I do that a lot,"

"Crying?"

"Yeah. You should ask II about the first time he made me cry," Vessel's pink cheeks were starting to fade as he calmed down. "Will you…will you ask III to come here?"

"Okay. I will. He's got to be done with his circuit by now,"

"Circuit? Is he training again? His usual route takes him right by here. Wait," Vessel bolted, running out his front door. Ivy followed, but he was willing to bet that III had changed it up since Vessel and III had fallen out. That thought left a sour taste in his mouth. He didn't like thinking that they'd fallen out. They…belonged together. Package deal. He…they all belonged together. Like II wanted. Like III wanted. He didn't know how to handle this. Vessel came back.

"Either I missed him, or he didn't run by here today," Vessel sounded totally dejected. He sniffed again.

"I can't take you crying anymore. I want to fix this. Let me call him and get him to come here,"

How the fuck was he going to handle this? He felt a roaring desire to help Vessel, to mend his relationship with III. He wanted to get to a place where they were all together. He knew that and he couldn't believe that that was what he wanted. He wasn't even sure that he was attracted to Vessel. But he saw the way that II loved him. Thought anyone could fall in love with someone if II explained it.

"What if he won't come?" Vessel sounded terrified at the idea.

"Don't even think that. He loves you, Vessel. He wanted to talk to you so bad, wanted to date you, but he was so afraid when you ran away at your photo shoot thing you guys did," Ivy dialed. Vessel stayed quiet. The line rang. III normally picked up right away. On almost the last ring, the phone finally connected.

"Peaches!" III sounded completely out of breath. "I was just thinking about you,"

"III, I'm sorry!" Vessel shouted.

"Stop fucking shouting," Ivy flinched at Vessel's proximity and volume. "III, will you please come to Vessel's house? I'm here with him, and he has something he wants to say, not shout, to you," III sighed heavily.

"Betrayal. Fine," III's voice was suddenly flat. The call ended abruptly. Vessel just stared, heartbroken.

But five minutes later, and only five minutes later, the door creaked open. Like III hadn't actually changed his route.

Chapter Text

Vessel could have kissed IV for getting III to his house. He wouldn't even mind doing so. Seeing III's perfect, familiar face finally back in his kitchen made his heart race.

"III…ah…how are you?" he ventured. He was trying to play it cool. He didn't want to scare III off. Or piss him off. He could feel tears already threatening him. Tears he didn't want III to see. III always felt so bad when he cried, and he felt so bad because he couldn't help the damn tears. Tears Ivy had never commented on, he realized. Tears Ivy was undoubtely seeing right now, as Vessel had turned toward Ivy.

"Annoyed. Why am I here, Ivy?"

"Vessel has been crying about you. Even at my game," was Ivy's only response. III's brow furrowed for a moment before he retorted.

"Vessel cries all the time. He cried when II yelled at him for going to the gym on a busted ankle,"

"III, I'm just-"

"I'm not ready to have this conversation," III cut him off.

"Bullshit," Ivy replied. He looked calm, and III looked pissed. "You were ready the day you two kissed. You don't want to do it now because he does," a tiny giggle slipped out when Vessel heard him.

"You sound like II," he informed Ivy, at the same time III grumbled "you sound like Vessel's boyfriend," they made eye contact. And both dissolved into giggles. Vessel so badly wanted to ask if they could just go back to normal. He just really, really wanted his best friend back. Laughing with him felt so good.

"I have to go back to training," III looked serious again. "Peaches, don't call me for this again. Vessel can do it himself,"

III was gone before Vessel could stop him. Ivy looked back at him, big blue eyes pinning him.

"I tried," he shrugged.

"Hah. Maybe next time you can refuse to talk about it again. I've never seen III that upset before,"

"He's upset because I can't stop crying about everything. He always thinks I'm doing it on purpose," Vessel guessed. He shrugged again. He did feel bad but it was something he had never been able to help.

"I noticed that," Ivy thought, tapping his chin for a moment. "Maybe you guys could sort it through text,"

"I need to like…talk to him though," Vessel thought about it for a minute. "Or I'll irritate him into talking to me about it," that usually worked. He didn't like it, but it worked.

"You're probably right," Ivy shrugged. He brightened. "I think this is the first time we've hung out except for boxing,"

"I think you're right," he wants to ruminate about III.

"You and III will figure it out," Ivy said when Vessel opened his mouth.

"Well, maybe," he had to hold onto hope that they would. "But-"

"Look, I'm not going to pretend to have the answers here," Ivy cut him off. He realized he was kind of at an impasse. He realized, right there, why II and Ivy had been best friends for ages. Why they worked. And why III and him worked too. Why it was going to be okay.

"When did you realize you had fallen for II?" He asked, cutting Ivy off before he came up with his next thought. Ivy cocked his head. Reminded Vessel of a dog.

"Uhmm," Ivy stared off, thinking. "I'm not… I'm not sure," Vessel wasn't sure where his bravery came from but he started talking again anyway.

"I think…I think I've always felt like this about III. I just didn't know what it was until I also fell in love with II. Falling for II was like…jumping off a cliff and finding out I could fly-"

"That's how falling in love with III feels," Ivy agreed. "But falling in love with II was like…rugby. It felt like learning the rules of the game, felt like learning the spirit of the game. It feels like it's always been there and is brand new every time I go out on the field," the intensity on Ivy's face freaked Vessel out. He had to break it with a joke.

"How long before we fall in love?" Ivy laughed.

"Let's try hanging out without you crying first, yeah?"