Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains billowing from the breeze outside, casting the room in a hazy amber glow. Sterling stirred slowly, surfacing from dreams that had been warm and heavy from the weight and warmth of Eli stretched out and pressed against him. He blinked, disoriented for a heartbeat, then realized his cheek was resting on the steady rise and fall of Eli’s chest. His face tilted slightly, hearing the steady thrum of a heartbeat beneath his cheek.

He smiled before he could stop himself, slow and fond, because it all came rushing back in an instant: the kisses, the laughter muffled into soaked clothes, the way they’d held onto each other like letting go wasn’t an option. Heat fluttered low in his chest at the memory, and he didn’t move at first, just stayed there and let it sink in that this wasn’t a dream.

The gentle drag of fingertips along the back of his head made him blink again, softer this time. Eli’s hand was still there, stroking lazily through his hair as if Sterling shouldn’t be disturbed too quickly. Sterling tilted his gaze upward and caught sight of Eli, propped slightly against the pillows, phone in his free hand. His expression was relaxed, almost unreadable save for the faint crease between his brows, a focused look that melted the moment he noticed Sterling watching.

His heart nearly skipped a beat.

[ Hopeless romantic you are, Cooper. ]

Eli caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and instantly locked his phone, sliding it face down on the nightstand. “Morning, sunshine,” he said softly, his voice low, still rough with sleep. His hand slipped from Sterling’s hair down to the base of his neck, fingertips warm against cool skin. Sterling shivered from it.

He tilted his head up and pressed a featherlight kiss to the corner of Eli’s lips, murmuring with a sleep-raspy voice, “Mornin’, starlight” in return. His cheeks warmed when Eli’s breath caught, a slight uptick in the heartbeat beneath his palm. Eli flushed, eyelids lowering just a little, and in the next breath he angled Sterling’s chin gently, guiding their lips together for a long, slow kiss. Sterling sighed against him, sliding his hand up into Eli’s tousled hair, fingers splaying against his scalp.

“Starlight?” Eli’s voice cracked somewhere between laughter and helpless pleasure, and Sterling pulled back just far enough to look at him, cheeks tinged pink.

“You call me sunshine,” Sterling reminded him, though his words came out halting, shy. His grin spread as he confessed, “And...first kiss while stargazing...” He trailed off, suddenly self-conscious, his blush deepening to the tips of his ears.

Eli’s eyes softened, the grin on his lips curving into something deeper, something heavier with affection. His gaze roved over Sterling’s flushed face, drinking him in, and the sheer tenderness in his expression made Sterling’s chest tighten. “Starlight,” Eli said again, slower this time, savoring it. His half-lidded eyes gleamed with warmth as he let his fingers flex against Sterling’s hips, grounding him. “That’s...really cute. Should we switch them, though? Since you’re Sterling, Star…y’know…”

Sterling laughed and hummed in thought. “You do feel like sunshine to me, and sunflowers...know...they supposedly grow facing the sun...”

“We’re both very shy this morning.”

“Apparently so,” Sterling laughed and pulled back just far enough to whisper, “I’m a sap. Sleep well?” Sterling asked quietly, tracing the line of Eli’s jaw with his thumb.

Eli’s smile softened into something that looked like contentment. “Yeah,” he said simply. “Better than I have in a while.” His lashes lowered for a beat, then lifted as he asked, “You?”

“Better than I have in years, sweet boy,” Sterling said without thinking, the words low and honest. “You’re a good cuddler.”

Eli’s blush deepened, and he rolled his eyes in that mock-exasperated way that Sterling was learning meant he was pleased. “Yeah, well,” Eli teased back, “you make a pretty solid body pillow yourself.”

Whatever additional witty retort Eli had vanished the second Sterling’s mouth moved lower, brushing against the edge of his neck, just under his jaw. Eli’s breath hitched sharply, an involuntary sound that sent Sterling’s pulse careening, heat sparking like an ember catching flame. His hand, previously resting on Sterling’s shoulder, curled tight, fingertips digging into the fabric of his shirt.

Sterling felt something like triumph and desperation coil low in his stomach. He let his lips linger, tasting the faint salt of skin, the scrape of stubble against his mouth. He couldn’t resist, not with Eli’s heartbeat pounding under his lips, pressing an open-mouthed kiss just beneath his ear, letting his tongue flick softly over the rapid thrum of his pulse.

Eli made a noise then, a sharp inhale and a strained groan. Sterling pulled back just enough to look at him, lips parted, his own breathing unsteady, and before doubt could sink in, he kissed him again.

Eli didn’t just kiss him back. He leaned forward, hand sliding into Sterling’s hair, and nudged him backward into the pillows with a tenderness that still managed to feel like command. The mattress dipped beneath their weight, heat sparking like wildfire as Eli’s mouth moved with his, deeper now, almost searching. Sterling’s hands gripped at Eli’s waist, then fisted in the front of his shirt when Eli’s lips trailed down to his throat in quick, reverent presses.

Holy fuck. Sterling’s mind blanked, everything narrowed to sensation: Eli’s breath hot against his skin, the rasp of his voice when he murmured something unintelligible against his jaw, the way need flooded through him so sudden and sharp it made his knees weak—even though he was lying down.

“Eli—” Sterling’s voice cracked on his name, half a plea, half a warning he didn’t even understand himself. His breath stuttered, his fingers curling in Eli’s shirt the other hand finding its way to Eli’s waist, gripping through the thin cotton. Heat pulsed through both of them, unspoken, undeniable. Sterling let out a soft groan when his lips trailed to his neck, pressing a slow kiss there that made his toes curl.

“Ahh—h-ah—,” Sterling gasped, barely audible when Eli sucked a bruise under his ear, tongue laving over the red, flushed skin.

Eli laughed softly against his neck, the sound curling like smoke down Sterling’s spine. “Easy starlight,” He pressed one last kiss to his jaw and leaned back, still hovering over him, his eyes dark and shining with something that made Sterling’s stomach flip. “If I don’t get up and start coffee,” Eli murmured, voice low and teasing, “we’re never leaving this bed.”

Sterling’s fingers tightened in his shirt, stubborn and almost desperate. “Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad,” he said, and meant it. Gods, he meant it.

Sterling wanted to argue—like he hadn’t felt Eli’s rock hard cock against him—and wanted to say good, let’s not. But instead he just held Eli’s shirt tighter when he tried to shift up onto his knees, clearly about to get up.

“Hey,” Eli said softly, pausing when he felt Sterling’s hand resist him. His blush darkened as he looked down at Sterling, drinking in the sight: his hair a mess, lips pink and kiss-bitten, expression open and filled with something that made Eli’s chest tighten. Wonder. Affection. Like Sterling couldn’t believe this was real either.

Eli smiled, the sleepy edge of it making him look softer than Sterling had ever seen him. His eyelids drooped a little as he leaned down again, cradling Sterling’s jaw in one warm hand. Their lips met slower this time, deeper, as if they both knew they shouldn’t be doing this and couldn’t stop anyway. Sterling’s arms wound around Eli’s neck, holding him closer, and Eli gasped softly against his mouth, feeling the heat of Sterling’s body pressed up to his own.

Then, with a quick twist of motion that stole the breath from Sterling’s lungs, Eli rolled them, pinning him to the mattress and slotting himself between his thighs. Sterling gave a surprised yelp that broke into laughter, only for Eli’s mouth to claim his in a hard, deep kiss that chased all thoughts away.

Their hands tangled almost instantly, threading into each other’s hair, tugging, desperate to be closer even though their chests were already pressed tight. Their mouths met and broke apart, gasping for air only to dive back in, Sterling’s thighs falling open in invitation, in need, his body instinctively making room for Eli to settle closer.

“Mmhf—” Sterling tried to speak but lost it in a whimper against Eli’s lips, his fingers curling tighter in his hair. Eli’s lips lingered against Sterling’s, the kiss still molten with heat when he pulled back just far enough to breathe. His thumb brushed along Sterling’s hip, a steadying touch that betrayed how reluctant he was to create any space at all.

Neither of them wanted to stop. Neither of them wanted to lose this moment. But Eli broke away just enough to rest his forehead against Sterling’s, breathing hard, his voice low and warm and wrecked when he whispered, “Hold that thought. I’ll make it quick, Star.”

Sterling pouted instantly, the expression soft and dramatic all at once. He chased after Eli’s mouth, stealing another kiss that deepened almost immediately, tongue sliding past Eli’s lips in a way that made his chest seize with want. Eli groaned against him, cursing into the kiss as Sterling licked into his mouth like he had no intention of letting him go.

When they finally parted, both gasping faintly, Eli’s eyes were dark and half-lidded, a haze of desire pulling at every line of his face. He let out a shaky laugh that died into a hoarse rasp, a mischievous, flirty expression formed on his face and in his eyes. “I need to see if Dylan’s home…” He swallowed, lips brushing Sterling’s cheek before dropping lower, hot against his ear. His voice hushed, raspier still. “I’ll meet you in the shower, starlight.”

The pet name alone was enough to make Sterling’s body clench with heat, but the low promise in Eli’s tone unraveled him. His length twitched hard against Eli’s belly, and the involuntary grind that followed had both of them moaning, the sound breaking into curses that tangled together. Eli shuddered, his breath caught in Sterling’s hair, his groan ragged. “That’s so hot, Star...”

Sterling huffed a shaky laugh, his chest still fluttering wildly, and let his hands slide down reluctantly from Eli’s shoulders as Eli shifted onto his knees. Still, before Eli could fully pull away, Sterling caught his wrist, squeezing gently, eyes full of something that made Eli’s heart ache and stutter all at once.

“Don’t take too long,” Sterling murmured, his smile small and soft and devastating.

Eli’s own grin tugged crooked, his ears still burning as he bent down for one last kiss. His palm dragged down his own thigh, then lingered at the front of his sweatpants to discreetly adjust himself, though the crooked, flustered grin on his face betrayed he knew Sterling was watching. Sterling lay sprawled on the bed, flushed and smiling helplessly, heart thundering at the sheer intimacy of it.

The door shut gently behind him, and Sterling collapsed back against the pillows with a breathless laugh. He scrubbed the heels of his hands over his face, trying to hide the dopey grin stretching across his mouth, biting into his lip to keep from laughing outright. His chest felt too full, his skin buzzing with warmth that wasn’t only arousal but something deeper, heavier, impossibly tender.

Just as he started to sit up, the door creaked open again. Sterling’s head jerked up in surprise, and there was Eli, peeking back in, copper hair mussed, a wicked glint in his grey eyes. He winked, unbearably charming, before shutting the door once more.

Sterling dropped back with a groan, burying his face in his hands, torn between embarrassment and overwhelming affection. He kicked at the sheets with restless energy before forcing himself upright, his grin refusing to fade no matter how hard he bit his lip. His whole body still hummed from the kiss, from the promise Eli had left in his voice.

Dragging himself to his feet, he reached for his backpack by the chair, rummaging until he found his toothbrush and toiletry bag. With one last helpless glance toward the door, Sterling padded across the room, bare feet quiet against the floorboards. His reflection caught him in the mirror above the dresser. Cheeks still pink, hair an absolute mess, lips red and swollen, and he had to stifle a laugh at himself.

He carried his things to the bathroom, flicking on the light, and leaned against the counter for a second just to breathe. He was grinning again before he could stop himself, the kind of grin that hurt his cheeks. Setting down his bag, Sterling uncapped his toothbrush, letting the rush of cool mint and running water give him something steady to focus on while his pulse still drummed with anticipation.

Waiting for Eli to join him in the shower felt like the longest pause imaginable, but Sterling didn’t mind. His chest was full, his thoughts a blur of heat and hope, and for once, the waiting felt just as intoxicating as the kiss itself.

Sterling leaned lazily against the bathroom counter, his shirt already discarded where it had landed, fabric bunched beside the sink. He brushed his teeth and hair, pissed and licked one of his fingers to reach behind him and make sure his hole was clean, washed his face, spritzed his cologne on and set it aside, opting to check his phone for a bit. The usual pre-sex routine for a bottom, he thought with amusement. He also wondered if Eli would let him fuck him sometime. He most certainly had a nice cock, if his boner earlier was anything to go by and it made him blush and bit his lip while he scrolled aimlessly.

He changed his relationship status on one of his apps and locked his phone, taking a moment to just close his eyes and fight through the slight shakes. He had alcohol in his bag but he was determined to have sex sober with Eli. At least this once.

Sterling ‘s mind continued to wander.

He never quite understood how Eli managed it. How someone so loud, so excitable, so impossibly curious about everything could also be the safest silence he’d ever known. With Eli, there wasn’t pressure to fill every pause. Sometimes it was just the two of them on the hilltop, stretched out in the cool grass, watching the stars spool across the sky like threads of silver. Eli would talk about constellations or cryptids or the investigation they were working on, and Sterling would just…listen.

No one had ever made listening feel so effortless.

With Eli, it wasn’t about distractions. It wasn’t drowning out the noise in his own head with something louder. It was different. Eli’s voice, his laughter, the way his hand would absentmindedly brush against Sterling’s in the dark—it made Sterling’s thoughts quieter, steadier, like everything messy inside of him could finally take a breath.

He found himself believing things he hadn’t let himself believe in for years. Not just ghost stories and old legends, but in people. In friendships. In second chances. Dylan’s steady presence, the Bears’ open warmth, even Leah and Elliott—with their strange, artsy energy—folded into his world because Eli pulled him toward them without hesitation, like it was the most natural thing in the world to share family.

And Sterling, for once, didn’t feel like an intruder in it.

The fear and anxiety ebbed and flowed, his mind arguing over and over about it in a feedback loop but Sterling knew this particular feeling and alcohol wouldn’t take it away.

Instead, he was going to fuck his boyfriend.

[ Boyfriend...partner...holy shit...]

It felt so nice to say it. It didn’t quite feel real yet and had a feeling it would start to today.

The door creaked open and Eli finally slipped in, copper hair damp at the edges from the steam of the kettle he must’ve just set to boil. He chuckled under his breath, that crooked grin tugging at his lips as though he already knew he’d kept Sterling waiting too long. “Sorry,” he murmured, holding up one finger like a promise, before reaching for his toothbrush and starting on his teeth.

Sterling snorted, amusement curling at his mouth. “What, don’t want me tryin’a get my mouth on you while you brush your teeth, doll?” he teased, voice low and sing-song with mischief.

Eli shot him a sidelong look in the mirror, eyes narrowing in mock warning, but the twitch of his grin betrayed him. Sterling, delighted by the faint pink creeping over his cheeks, moved before Eli could protest. He slipped behind him, arms winding easily around his waist until his chest pressed flush to Eli’s back. His palms flattened against the firm planes of Eli’s stomach, fingers stroking idly, brushing just above the waistband of his sweatpants.

From here, he could hear everything. The quickening pace of Eli’s heartbeat, the way his breath shifted from steady to shallow, chest rising and falling harder against Sterling’s palms. The thrill of it made Sterling smile against his skin, the warmth of his mouth softening into a kiss just below his jaw.

The sound alone sent a dizzy rush straight to Sterling’s own length, swelling tight against the fabric of his sweats. His breath stuttered as he tilted his head, lips ghosting over Eli’s skin, pressing the lightest kisses to his throat. His fingertips smoothed lower, just grazing the wiry copper hairs as they slipped, careful and teasing, beneath the elastic.

Then Eli made a sound. A low, guttural noise that rumbled straight out of him, caught between a groan and a shiver, vibrating against Sterling’s lips where they kissed his throat. The sound jolted through Sterling like fire, stealing the breath from his lungs. He gasped helplessly, his body jerking closer, his lips parting against Eli’s shoulder. “Nnnhhh—” The noise slipped out before he could swallow it, and he found himself mouthing at the warm skin of Eli’s neck, teeth scraping lightly as if he couldn’t help himself.

He kissed along the slope of Eli’s throat, tasting him, pulling slow, desperate little kisses that worked their way toward the curve of his ear. Eli bent over the sink to spit and rinse, but Sterling didn’t let up, lips barely leaving his skin. His voice was hushed, rasping, dripping heat and affection all at once. “So fuckin’ cute...makin’ a noise like that for me—”

Eli reached for the towel then, dragging it roughly over his mouth and face. He tossed it aside with a careless flick, his head tipping back to rest on Sterling’s shoulder. The angle bared his throat, copper hair brushing over Sterling’s temple, and the sight of him so undone just from this had Sterling’s knees weak.

Then Eli moved. His hand shot back and closed firmly around Sterling’s wrist. Sterling froze, a sharp inhale catching in his throat, every nerve buzzing. Eli didn’t give him a chance to question, to hesitate—he guided Sterling’s hand down in one smooth, deliberate motion, shoving it fully beneath the waistband until Sterling’s palm cupped him completely.

The heat of him was shocking. Heavy, hot, thick in Sterling’s hand, pulsing against his skin with a weight that made Sterling moan before he realized the sound had left him. Eli groaned too, raw and unrestrained, his body jerking faintly into Sterling’s palm. The combined sound of their voices tangled in the small bathroom, rough and breathless, grounding and undoing them both at once.

Sterling’s hips jolted forward without his permission, grinding against Eli’s back in reflex, his length straining painfully in his sweatpants. The sensation was overwhelming, so sharp he swore sparks danced down to his toes, curling them hard against the cool tile floor.

“E-Eli..." he gasped, voice broken, lips brushing against the edge of his jaw, too close, too desperate to stop. His fingers flexed instinctively around him, not stroking, just holding, feeling every inch of the heat and weight that had him dizzy.

Sterling’s fingers worked Eli with a daring squeeze, slow strokes dragging over the length of him, thumb brushing the sensitive ridge as his other hand slid higher under Eli’s shirt. His palm spread across the wide plane of Eli’s chest, fingers brushing against firm muscle and the quick hammer of his heart. Sterling gasped when Eli pushed back into him, grinding their hips together—hard, deliberate—before thrusting forward into Sterling’s hand. The groan that rumbled out of Eli’s chest was deep and broken, making Sterling’s knees weaken, dizzy heat flooding his system as his eyes fluttered open.

The mirror caught them: Eli bent forward, Sterling’s chest pressed to his back, their mouths hovering near each other’s necks and shoulders, both of them flushed, wrecked, lost. Sterling’s voice came out hoarse, a plea. “Nnnn… fuck, baby, open your eyes…”

Slowly, like dragging himself out of a haze, Eli’s snowy-grey eyes lifted to meet their reflection. Hesitant. Piercing. Their gazes locked in the glass and Sterling’s whole body jolted—

[ Oh fuck. Oh fuck ohfuckohfuck— ]

Eli spun, sudden and sharp, and crashed their lips together. Sterling let out a startled gasp, eyes wide, caught completely off guard. But then instinct melted into instinct, his lids fluttering shut as he leaned desperately into the kiss. Eli’s arms wrapped tight around him, strong and anchoring, dragging him closer. One hand slid from his hip down to his ass, squeezing firmly through the thin fabric of his sweatpants until Sterling let out a broken moan against his lips. And then Eli’s fingers slipped under, touching bare skin, clutching with a wrecked, greedy sound that only made Sterling shudder harder.

Their hips moved together in frantic sync, rutting and grinding, bodies searching for friction as their mouths worked hungrily. The kiss was messy, uncoordinated, all teeth and parted lips and desperate little gasps. Eli broke away just enough to speak, his voice wrecked, rough with need, whispering against Sterling’s swollen lips.

“Bed. Now.”

It sounded like it hurt to say, like restraint was tearing at him. He didn’t wait for Sterling’s reply, just turned them, walking him backward clumsily, still tangled together.

“Wha—Eli—” Sterling tried to get a word in, but Eli was already shoving the bathroom door open with one hand, their mouths tangling again as they stumbled out.

“I’m not gonna make our first time together be in the shower,” Eli growled against his mouth. Sterling’s head tipped back, the words burning through him like wildfire. He broke the kiss only because Eli grabbed his ass again, grinding their hips together so firmly he couldn’t help the high, keen noise that escaped him.

They tumbled into the bedroom. The mid-morning light filtered softly through the blinds, muted by curtains shifting gently with the breeze from the open windows. When Eli’s hand found the switch and flicked the light off, the room settled into something dreamlike—gold and shadow spilling over them like a filter too beautiful to be real. Sterling whimpered, softened by the atmosphere, his lips catching Eli’s again in kisses that slowed, less frantic now, more aching, more touched.

Their foreheads pressed together, both panting, eyes barely open. Eli searched his face, voice low, careful. “You sure?”

Sterling was already dazed, flushed, pupils blown wide. He looked fucked-out before they’d even begun, lips kiss-bitten and wet, eyes heavy-lidded as they darted from Eli’s gaze to his mouth and back again. His reply was almost a whimper. “You have no idea, Eli...”

Eli’s jaw tightened, still fighting restraint. “Safe word?”

Sterling gave a breathless huff, the corner of his mouth twitching into a grin. “Mothman?”

That dragged a shaky laugh from Eli despite himself. He rolled his eyes, smiling against Sterling’s lips. “I prefer one syllable...if things get too much and you can’t finish a sentence...moth?”

Sterling was practically vibrating with impatience, but the words only made his heart ache harder, his chest swell with something warm and tender. He cursed under his breath, grabbing Eli’s shirt and tugging him down onto the bed, falling back and spreading his legs open wide to welcome him between them.

“Ahh—hh—fuck,” Sterling gasped and chuckled, his ankles hooking tight around Eli’s hips to drag him closer, grinding up against him. “Confident in yourself, huh, hot stuff?” He was still flushed with laughter, teasing even while his body writhed beneath Eli’s, trembling with anticipation.

Eli groaned, sinking down fully into the cradle of Sterling’s body, mouth finding the hollow of his throat. He kissed, sucked, left heat blooming across Sterling’s skin in dark marks. His voice was muffled against Sterling’s pulse. “Just from experience...one syllable’s been a reliable rule...”

Sterling giggled, incredulous and fond, his laughter dissolving into a moan as Eli’s hand slid between them, under his waistband. Fingers wrapped around him, hot and strong, stroking slowly. Sterling’s head fell back against the pillow, lips parting in a ragged gasp. His hands pushed against Eli’s shoulders, pulling him down, his mouth finding the curve of Eli’s neck. He kissed, sucked, tasted him, learning which spots made Eli’s voice break into rough moans, which pressure made his body shudder.

Eli leaned back onto his knees, chest heaving as he reached blindly toward the bedside table. The drawer rattled as he searched, but before his fingers found the bottle inside, Sterling pushed up onto one elbow. His other hand slid down Eli’s stomach, tugging at the waistband of his sweats until his length sprang free. Eli’s breath caught, his body jolting with surprise, and his blush burned so hot across his cheeks it traveled down his neck.

“Sterl—” he gasped, cut off when Sterling’s hand wrapped around him and his head tipped forward, lips parting, eyes heavy and bright with want. The electric blue of his irises was nearly gone, swallowed by black. Eli barely had time to curse before Sterling’s tongue dragged wet and slow from the base of him, over his sac, up the thick line of his shaft. His mouth lingered at the tip, tongue flicking over the slit to catch the bead of pre that welled there.

Eli’s entire body buckled. His hand shot into Sterling’s hair, clutching tight as his eyes squeezed shut. The sound that tore out of his throat was raw, staggered, helpless. “Nn—hah—ah—fuck...” Every syllable broke on another swirl of Sterling’s tongue.

He lasted only seconds before dragging Sterling up, mouth crashing onto his to stop himself from spilling too soon. Their lips met in a wet, crushing kiss, Eli groaning as his other hand finally found the bottle in the drawer. He shoved his sweats down the rest of the way, kicking them off the edge of the bed with impatient force, and whispered against Sterling’s mouth, voice cracking with want.

“Fuck, I want your mouth so bad, Yoba’s saggy tits, I want it so bad—but I won’t last, and I need to fuck you right now, starlight. Next time?”

Sterling melted against him, drunk on heat and hormones, his lashes fluttering, lips damp and swollen. His eyes rolled up to look into Eli’s eyes. “That’s—yeah...next time, beautiful. Next time sounds...next time...”

Their mouths collided once more, messy, tongues still half-out as they groaned into each other, hands gripping hard like they’d float away otherwise. Then Eli’s kisses trailed downward—jaw, throat, collarbone—while he shifted down the bed. Sterling lifted his hips automatically, letting Eli tug the sweatpants past his thighs, kicking them off with a shy laugh muffled into the pillow.

When Eli looked up at him, Sterling’s face was scarlet, cheek turned into the pillow, one hand half-covering his mouth. He was smiling through it, but it was helpless, overwhelmed.

“Yoba, Sterling…” Eli rasped, staring unabashedly as his hands spread over Sterling’s thighs. His voice dipped lower, reverent and ruined. “I knew you’d have a beautiful dick...but every inch of you—”

The words did something to Sterling he wasn’t ready for. His heart thundered, heat flooding his chest as much as his groin, and he pressed his fist harder against his lips to muffle the trembling sound that tore out of him. “Nnnnn...”

But Eli wasn’t having it. He reached up, tugged Sterling’s hand down, lacing their fingers together and pinning it by his side. His gaze smoldered, grey eyes sharp even through the haze of lust. “Wanna hear you. Wanna see you, Star. Don’t hide from me.”

Sterling bit his lip hard, but he nodded, laying back fully against the pillow. His chest rose and fell in quick waves, eyes locked on Eli as the copper-haired man slicked his fingers generously with lube. And then his mouth lowered, tongue hot and wet, lips wrapping around Sterling’s tip.

“Mnnnh—ah—huah—Eli, fuck...” The sound tore out of him unrestrained, his back arching off the bed as his free hand clawed into the sheets.

Eli moaned around him, the vibration shooting up Sterling’s length as his lips moved lower. At the same time, he hooked one of Sterling’s legs over his shoulder, giving himself room. His slick fingers found Sterling’s rim, circling, pressing lightly, teasing with wet, deliberate strokes. His mouth worked up and down, tongue dragging flat and firm along the underside while his other arm curled firmly across Sterling’s hips, holding him in place.

Sterling writhed, overwhelmed, whimpers and gasps spilling out in a messy stream, but when his hips bucked, Eli’s weight and grip pinned him perfectly. Their eyes met for a heartbeat—Sterling’s blue wide and wild, Eli’s grey glazed but intent, focused entirely on him.

Eli pressed one slowly past the tight ring of muscle. Sterling gasped, sharp and strangled, his head tipping back into the pillow, throat bared as his spine arched. His chin lifted, neck taut, hair falling into his face as he twisted helplessly against the sheets. One hand buried instantly in Eli’s hair while the other flailed for purchase—pushing into the pillow, dragging down the blanket—before ending up fisting another handful of Eli’s hair, as if one grip alone wasn’t enough to ground him.

Eli groaned at the desperate hold, the sound vibrating low in his chest, his mouth pulling off Sterling’s cock with a wet pop. He sat back a little, panting, mesmerized as he watched the slow glide of his finger sinking deeper inside. His eyes burned with heat when they flickered up to Sterling, and the sight hit him square in the chest—Sterling pushing up on the pillows, dazed but intent, trying to see what Eli was doing to him.

Eli followed the movement seamlessly, bracing himself so Sterling had the perfect angle to watch. Their eyes locked, Sterling’s mouth slack with ragged breath, a faint smirk tugging at his swollen lips as he took in the view of Eli’s hand working between his thighs.

That look nearly undid him. Eli chuckled, though it came out husky, frayed with want. He ducked down, pressing a kiss to the soft skin of Sterling’s inner thigh, right at the apex where his legs spread wide for him. Sterling shivered hard, muscles twitching under his lips.

And then Eli pushed a second finger in. He sank them deep, slow, steady, until both were buried to the knuckle. Sterling’s entire body jolted, hips jerking off the bed with a strangled cry that broke halfway into breathless syllables.

“Oh—fuckfuckfuck—” His voice cracked on the last word, almost more air than sound, his head thrashing side to side as he tried to breathe through it. His thighs trembled, knees twitching against Eli’s shoulders as his hips rocked back involuntarily, greedy for more even as he gasped for air.

Eli groaned deep in his chest, eyes fluttering closed for a second before he bit down lightly on the meat of Sterling’s thigh. His teeth grazed, then he sucked hard, pulling a bruise into the pale skin as his fingers began to move.

Sterling’s voice tumbled out in broken fragments, moans caught between pleading and disbelief. His grip in Eli’s hair turned desperate, tugging tighter, his chest heaving as he tried to arch and push down all at once. Every stroke of Eli’s fingers dragged a whimper from him, every curl inside made his body twitch and his toes curl into the sheets.

Eli’s fingers had been merciless, curling into Sterling with each deliberate thrust, twisting just enough that every pass dragged across the spot that made Sterling writhe and gasp helplessly. He’d only teased at first, grazing, brushing it like he was testing how much Sterling could take. But once he twisted his wrist, once he angled his hand to press into that bundle of nerves with every single sink of his fingers, Sterling knew he wasn’t going to last. Not like this. Not when Eli’s other hand steadied his hips, not when his third finger teased the edge of his entrance, promising more, stretching him wider around the fullness already inside him.

And then a third finger slid against his rim, stroking over the stretched edge, testing the give of him. Sterling’s back arched hard, a sound ripping out of his chest that didn’t even sound like his own voice. He couldn’t—he wasn’t going to last like this.

“Wanna—fuck, wanna come with you inside me,” Sterling choked out, breathless, desperate, the words tumbling like a plea when he meant them to be a demand. His thighs quaked where Eli held them apart. “Fuck me, I’m ready—please—”

The rush of heat that hit Eli knocked the air out of him. His hand froze for a second, his breath catching audibly before he groaned low. He lifted his gaze to Sterling, eyes wide, chest heaving. “Sterl…are you sure?” His voice was raw, careful even through the haze, worried his prep hadn’t been enough, worried about rushing him.

But Sterling was already nodding, sweat dampening his temples, his hair sticking to his flushed face. “Shit—yes, Eli—yes,” he gasped, his voice wrecked, his cock leaking pre against his stomach.

Eli’s restraint snapped. With a groan, he ducked down and swallowed Sterling’s length into his mouth one more time, dragging his tongue firm along the underside, lips sealing hot and tight. He wanted that last taste, wanted to hear Sterling cry out again, wanted to flood himself with the sounds of his boyfriend falling apart for him. Sterling’s back left the bed, a strangled noise spilling out of him as his hand yanked helplessly at Eli’s hair.

He pulled off with a wet gasp, licking his swollen lips as he crawled up over Sterling’s trembling body. His hand shook only slightly as he grabbed the bottle of lube, pouring slick warmth over his palm and stroking it over himself, coating every inch as his breath hitched.

Sterling pushed up on his elbows, eyes glazed and pupils blown, watching through heavy lashes as Eli slicked himself. The sight alone nearly made him come undone, his cock twitching hard against his stomach. But then Eli’s mouth was on his again, crashing together in a kiss that was messy, needy, their tongues pushing deeper as if they couldn’t get close enough.

Sterling’s legs wrapped tight around Eli’s hips, pulling him down flush, their cocks pressed hot and hard between them. Eli groaned into the kiss, hips canting forward before he caught himself, forcing restraint even as his hands trembled. He grabbed one of the spare pillows, tapping gently at Sterling’s hip. “Lift for me, starlight.”

Sterling obeyed instantly, hips lifting, letting Eli slide the pillow beneath him to tilt him open. his arms looped around Eli’s neck pulling him back down, his legs hooked around Eli’s hips to keep him close. They froze like that for a moment, both of them panting, heat flooding every inch of their bodies as the weight of what they were about to do finally caught up.

Their foreheads brushed, noses nuzzling, andEli leaned on his elbows to cradle Sterling beneath him, brushed damp strands of hair from Sterling’s temple, his thumb stroking along his jaw. Sterling mirrored him, fingers combing through the copper strands at Eli’s hairline. Their smiles were soft, breathless, an almost shy recognition in the middle of the heat that, yes, they were really doing this.

The next kiss he gave him was softer, more tender than the others, sealing their mouths with a gentleness that made Sterling’s chest ache. “I’m so happy you’re mine,” Eli whispered against his lips, his voice breaking slightly on the truth of it.

Sterling’s eyes softened, heat and affection flooding so fiercely he thought it might undo him more than the fingers had. His answering smile was dazed, his chest trembling against Eli’s. His legs tightened around Eli’s hips as he whispered back, voice husky and certain, “I’m happy you’re mine, too.”

Eli exhaled hard, grounding himself before guiding his length down. His tip pressed to Sterling’s entrance, sliding slickly against him before catching. He pushed, slow, careful, the stretch burning hot and dizzying. Sterling’s lips parted around a gasp, his head tipping back into the pillow, nails digging into Eli’s shoulders as he let out a broken sound that was half moan, half prayer.

Sterling arched up, head tipped back against the pillow, lips parting on a keening sound that clawed its way out of his chest. His fingers dug hard into Eli’s shoulders, clutching for purchase, his nails dragging over the firm muscles there. His thighs trembled where they locked tight around Eli’s waist, urging him deeper, pleading without words. The burn was sharp and sweet, made his toes curl and his vision blur with heat, but beneath it was a fullness so profound it left him breathless.

Eli kissed along Sterling’s jaw, open-mouthed and reverent, his lips dragging damp against flushed skin. “Spirits, Star,” he whispered, voice hoarse, “you feel so damn good…” His hips rolled forward another inch, and Sterling gasped like the air had been ripped from his lungs. His back arched, chest pressing hard into Eli’s, every muscle strung taut as another moan spilled from his throat, raw and unrestrained.

Eli steadied himself, breath heavy, and let Sterling feel him move the last inch. The moment he bottomed out there was a flash of white behind Sterling’s eyelids and an intake of air, then Sterling let out a sound that was half laugh, half sob, all heat. “Ahhhhfuck—”

“Star...hh-ahh...” Eli rasped, voice raw with the effort and the ache. He didn’t try to hide how wrecked he was by it. “So tight—fuck—you feel so good.” His hand stayed planted at Sterling’s hip, thumb rubbing little circles, soothing and tender. Eli was grinding against Sterling, pulling whimpers and cries from him as Eli’s cock moved deep inside of him.

Sterling’s eyes squeezed shut. A broken laugh spilled out around the next moan, nose adorably scrunched up the way Eli thought was cute. He curled his fingers into Eli’s hair, nails catching, breath hitching. “Ohh—hahhh—baby, fffuck—” he gasped, the words collapsing into the next breath before he could form them cleanly. Then a softer, strangled sound: “Nnnnhhh—” followed by another sharp exhale. “Ahhh—fuck—”

His voice cracked, every nerve pulled taut. Eli pulled back enough to look at him, snowy grey eyes blown wide, lips parted. Their foreheads touched, noses brushing, sweat dampening the strands of hair stuck between them. They breathed each other in, shivering, suspended in that impossible closeness.

Eli’s body finally gave in to the tension wound tight in every muscle. He rocked his hips back just enough to feel the drag, the stretch easing for a breath, before sliding forward again. The movement was slow, agonizingly slow, but it was enough to draw a cry from Sterling’s throat, sharp and broken, the sound ripping free before he could bite it back.

“Ah—nnnhh—” Sterling gasped, head tipping back into the pillow, his chest arching into Eli’s. His breaths came in quick, shallow pants, every exhale a tremor that ended in a strained whimper. His nails scraped against Eli’s scalp where his hand still tangled in his hair, the other hand clamping hard on Eli’s hip, as though any chance of retreat was unacceptable.

Eli’s eyes squeezed shut as the sensation closed in around him. He’d known Sterling would be tight, but the reality stole the air from his lungs, a hot vice, every inch wrapped in velvet heat. He groaned low in his chest, muffled against Sterling’s shoulder, his whole body trembling from the effort of moving so slowly. He wanted to stay buried there, unmoving, forever, just to savor it.

“Star—fuck—” Eli’s voice cracked on the word, husky and strained. His hips rolled again, deeper this time, the glide slick and devastating. He opened his eyes briefly, forcing them through the haze of sensation, only to be met with the sight of Sterling’s flushed face tipped back against the pillow. His mouth was open, lips red and wet, eyes glassy and unfocused, lashes clumped from unshed tears of sensation. The picture of him undone, clinging, moaning for him, it nearly broke Eli’s control.

Eli’s breath came ragged, chest heaving against Sterling’s. His thoughts were scattered, every coherent word dissolving into want:

[ so tight, so hot, feels like heaven, mine, beautiful ]

Eli froze the second he felt the tremor in Sterling’s body change, his lips stilling where they’d been tracing the line of his collarbone. The damp heat of Sterling’s breath against his neck shifted, catching, breaking, and Eli realized it wasn’t a moan, wasn’t pleasure at all, but soft, ragged sobs.

He jerked back like he’d been burned, heart lurching, hands braced against the mattress on either side of Sterling’s ribs. His pupils were blown wide, his chest heaving, but the panic that washed across his face had nothing to do with lust. “Oh, fuck, Sterling,” he rasped, terrified, the words tumbling out in a rush. “Did I—did I hurt you? Shit, talk to me—please—”

Sterling shook his head hard, the auburn strands of his hair damp against his flushed cheeks, his eyes shining in the dim light. He tried to smile, but it wavered, breaking apart as he let out a sound closer to a whimper than anything else. His legs stayed locked tight around Eli’s waist, holding him inside, as though terrified Eli might pull away. “N-no, no—Eli, you didn’t…you didn’t hurt me,” he managed, voice wrecked, soft and cracking. “I’m sorry, I just—” His throat bobbed, tears slipping free as he buried his face against Eli’s shoulder for a moment before forcing himself to finish. “I haven’t…I haven’t had sex sober in so long. And I—” His breath hitched. “I’m just...so happy.”

The words gutted Eli. They hit deeper than any confession Sterling had ever given him, raw and trembling, carrying years of weight Sterling never spoke aloud. Eli’s chest clenched painfully, his lungs too tight to hold enough air, and suddenly his eyes stung too. He cupped Sterling’s face in his hands, thumbing away tears even as more spilled. His lips pressed soft, desperate kisses to Sterling’s mouth, to the wet corners of his eyes, to the streaks on his flushed cheeks. “O-oh, spirits, Sterling,” he whispered, his voice breaking on the edge of disbelief. “But, that means I get to be your first time sober, right? Since getting clean?”

Sterling barked out a laugh, harsh and choked, almost a sob in itself. He turned his head away, sniffing, embarrassed, his lips twisting in a fragile smirk that couldn’t hide how vulnerable he was.

[ Fucking crying while Eli’s dick is inside me... ]

“Don’t...don’t make it sound like that,” he muttered, his voice hoarse and thick. His hand pressed hard against his face for a moment, dragging down over his mouth like he wanted to hide, but his red-rimmed eyes slid back to Eli’s anyway. “You’ll make me cry worse.”

Eli’s chest ached at the sight of him. He leaned in until their foreheads touched, grounding them both in that small, steady pressure. His hand cupped Sterling’s neck, thumb brushing along the ridge of his jaw. “Then cry, Star” he whispered, low and sure, his words slipping like a vow against Sterling’s skin. “I’m really happy I get to be the first. You don’t have to hide anything from me.”

The words cracked something in Sterling’s chest, a sob tearing loose before he could choke it down. His arms tightened around Eli’s shoulders like a lifeline, legs clinging around his waist, his body trembling as though holding Eli close was the only thing keeping him from breaking apart. His fingers dug into Eli’s back, his voice breaking against his throat. “You’re too much,” he whispered, half-laugh, half-cry, his face wet against Eli’s neck. “You make me feel too much.” His voice cracked, and he shook his head, wet hair dragging against Eli’s jaw. “It feels like I don’t deserve it.”

“You deserve all of it,” Eli said firmly, pulling his face up so their eyes met, tear-slick and burning. His voice was hoarse, but his conviction never wavered. “You deserve to feel good.”

Sterling’s chest lifted against Eli’s, each inhale shaky, each exhale catching on a moan he couldn’t swallow down, needing more of Eli right now. “Please,” he whispered, breathless, pupils huge and drowning in blue. “Please, Eli. need you. Fuck me.”

Eli pressed their mouths together again, tongue sliding against Sterling’s, groaning into the kiss as his hips drew back just enough for the drag to make Sterling’s whole body jolt. Then he eased forward, sinking in again, the angle perfect with the pillow propping Sterling’s hips.

Sterling gasped into his mouth, the sound sharp and desperate, his nails digging into Eli’s skin. “Nnnnhhh—ahhh—fuck—”

But then he faltered, whimpering, his breath stuttering against Eli’s mouth. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, eyes screwing shut as fresh tears spilled. “For ruining the mood...”

Eli froze only long enough to huff out a breath that was almost a laugh, a crooked smile curving against Sterling’s jaw, eyebrows drawing down. Then he gripped Sterling’s hips tight, pulled back, and slammed into him hard enough to knock a cry straight out of his chest, eyes startled open wide, eyebrows knitting. “Ahh—fuck—”

“Ruining it?” Eli rasped, his voice low and rough, heat blazing behind every word. His hips snapped forward again, hard, pulling another strangled sound from Sterling.

“I think it’s romantic that you told me—” He drove into him, Sterling’s nails clawing at his back, his cry torn open and helpless. Eli’s lips dragged over Sterling’s temple, breath hot as he thrust again.

“I think it’s beautiful—” Another thrust, deep and sharp, Sterling keening beneath him, his back arching, his voice cracking.

“That you told me—” Eli growled, finding a rhythm, driving into him again and again, punctuating each word with the weight of his body. Sterling’s voice broke into raw, desperate cries.

“Ahh—ha—aah—ohgod, ohfuck, Eli,” Sterling keened, every nerve alight, his back bowing hard against the bed. His legs trembled around Eli, heels digging in, his voice cracking into pleading moans. “Yeah, yeah—please, Eli, feel—ahhh—so good, fuck—”

The words spilled raw from his chest and Eli’s pace only built sharper, deeper, as though proving with every thrust that nothing Sterling said, nothing he confessed, could ever ruin what they had. If anything, it only made it burn brighter, made Eli hold him tighter, made him feel trusted and loved.

It made Sterling come undone in his arms with every desperate thrust.

A groan tore free from Eli, head tipped back, as Sterling rolled his hips desperately, grinding Eli’s cock deeper into him. Eli’s head dropped, his mouth spilling curses, his voice rough with praise. “Fuck—Yoba, baby, yes—just like that. Fuck, you’re doing so good, so good for me, Star.” His words melted into Sterling’s skin. Sterling groaned in answer, lips latching to Eli’s neck, sucking at the flushed skin there and Eli’s breath hitched, his own pulse raced under Sterling’s mouth. He licked and kissed, tasting salt, then let his head fall back against the pillow, his throat bared, voice breaking on Eli’s name. “Eli, darlin’, fuck.”

Eli growled low in his throat, the sound primal, his body shuddering with the force of his need. He shifted, hiking Sterling’s legs higher, spreading him wider until the angle had Sterling keening. Eli leaned back onto his knees, one hand gripping Sterling’s thigh, holding him open, while his hips picked up into a harder, faster rhythm.

“Spirits above, nnnh—look at you,” Eli gasped, his voice wrecked, his eyes glazed with heat. He pressed his forehead against Sterling’s for a heartbeat, breath mingling, before crushing their mouths together in another rough, hungry kiss. His lips moved desperately, tasting every gasp, drinking in every noise Sterling couldn’t hold back. “So beautiful—taking me so perfectly—fuck, Sterl—”

Sterling whimpered into his mouth, voice thin with desperation. His nails dug into Eli’s shoulders, dragging red crescents down the sweat-slick muscle. “F-fuck, Eli—please, more—ohh—nhhh—ahhh—” The plea cracked apart, breaking into something that was half a sob and half pure ecstasy, every word caught between ragged breaths.

Eli growled low in his chest, bracing himself with one arm as he shifted. He pushed up onto his knees, steadying Sterling with a hand at his hip. With the other he grabbed Sterling’s thigh, lifting his leg high and hooking it over his shoulder. His arm wrapped around the back of Sterling’s leg, pulling him open, drawing him closer until there was no space left, their bodies pressed flush at a new, devastating angle.

For a moment, Eli just stayed there, breath coming hard and uneven, grinding in deep enough that Sterling’s back arched hard off the mattress. He bit his lip, eyes locked on the way Sterling shook beneath him, and then pulled out, agonizingly slow, until only the thick head of his dick remained buried in the tight heat. A broken moan fell from his lips as he slammed back in, burying himself to the hilt, setting a new rhythm that shook through both of them.

Sterling’s head tipped back, throat bared, the sound that ripped out of him sharp and raw. “Eli—fuck, Eli—ohhh g—gods, hha—ah—nnh—hha—” His voice tumbled out in gasps and cries, every syllable strained, shaking. His hand flew down to wrap around his own aching length, pumping desperately in time with Eli’s thrusts. The other clutched Eli’s forearm where it braced against his hip, nails digging hard enough to bruise.

“F-fuck—Sterl, your voice,” Eli rasped, breath breaking into a moan of his own, hoarse with hunger. “So loud for me—hahh—so fucking pretty.” He kissed him mid-thrust, a quick, scorching press that left Sterling gasping hard into his mouth, the sound cracking into another cry when Eli bottomed out deep. The praise only lit him further; Sterling laughed breathlessly, broken, choked into a sob as more moans tumbled loose.

“E-Eli—ahh—please—fuck, harder—don’t stop—” His plea ripped jagged from his throat, threaded through gasps, his whole body a quivering bowstring pulled to breaking.

Eli’s control shattered at the sound. He growled low, slammed deeper, angling up until he hit that swollen, merciless spot inside Sterling. Sterling shrieked, voice climbing high and cracking into whimpers, his back arching off the sheets as his hands scrambled for something to grip. The friction was molten—wet, tight, intimate—wringing every gasp, every sharp sob of pleasure from Sterling’s chest.

Eli’s knees burned from the effort, his muscles screaming, but he didn’t relent. He drove faster, harder, groaning with every thrust. “Sterl—hahhh—fuck, you’re so good—so good—” His words broke on a moan, forehead pressing to Sterling’s as his pace built.

Sterling’s sounds came out unrestrained—stuttering gasps that turned sharp at their edges, his voice breaking into higher pitches he hadn’t heard from himself in years. “Ahh—ahhh—hahhh—” The rhythm of it matched the steady slam of Eli’s hips, each stroke wringing out another pretty, wrecked sound.

Eli’s head tilted back and groaned through the clench around him. He ground in deeper, adjusting his angle to chase Sterling’s G-spot, and when he found it, grinding in harder, Sterling’s cry was sharp enough to make his own chest seize. The noise, raw and wrecked, rolled straight down Eli’s spine, tightening every muscle, winding his control to breaking point.

“F-fuck,” Eli rasped, voice shredded, his hips pistoning harder, chasing the way Sterling jolted beneath him, the way his cries pitched higher each time. “So good, Star, god, so fucking good for me—” His words were little more than rough breath, tangled between groans, broken up by the rhythm of his thrusts. Every cry Sterling gave went straight through him and he answered in kind—low, rough moans that tangled with Sterling’s higher, desperate voice, their sounds twined together, ragged breaths and sharp cries.

Sterling’s leg trembled over Eli’s shoulder, his thigh straining in Eli’s grip, but Eli held him firm, guiding him back into every stroke. “Oh, Star, baby...” Eli rasped, voice breaking, words barely more than breath. He angled his hips harder, chasing the way Sterling’s body seized around him, the way those stuttering moans broke faster, sharper, higher.

Sterling’s eyes squeeze shut, sweat making his auburn hair stick to his temple and neck. His mouth hung open, every moan spilling free without restraint, a helpless chorus that echoed through the room with every hard, deep thrust. “Ohhh—ohhh fuck, Eli—ahhh—hah—ahh—please, please—” His hips rocked helplessly into the rhythm, body straining toward every thrust as though he couldn’t get close enough.

Eli’s grey eyes locked on Sterling’s face, on the kiss swollen lips curved in a dazed grin, on the way his lashes fluttered when he tried to open his eyes, pupils blown wide as he managed to look back at him. That smile wavered, broke apart into keening moans when Eli cursed and thrust deeper, hand sliding between their slick bodies to stroke him.

“Spirits, Sterling,” Eli groaned, rutting in hard once more, then holding him flush so their hips pressed together, grinding tight. His head fell forward, damp hair brushing Sterling’s chest as he panted, struggling to keep his control. “Gonna—fuck—not gonna last much longer.” His voice broke on his name, half-moan, half-warning.

Sterling reached up with one trembling hand, wrapping fingers tight around Eli’s upper arm, urging him down, pulling him into a kiss. Their mouths crashed together, tilted and messy, tongues sliding deep, lips swollen from the intensity of it. Between kisses and gasps, Sterling sobbed out, “M-me too…come inside me, please, baby—come with me—”

Eli cursed low and rough, the sound torn straight from his gut, his hands clutching Sterling’s hips so tight his knuckles whitened. His thrusts lost their steady rhythm, breaking into something frantic, sharp and needy, hips snapping forward in a pace that bordered on desperate. The bed groaned and rocked violently under them, every movement rattling through the frame, every sound ripped from Eli raw and unrestrained. His guttural groans tangled with Sterling’s higher cries until the air itself felt thick, vibrating with the force of their voices.

Sterling’s head fell back, throat bared, his mouth open on a string of cracked, helpless noises. His fingers clawed at Eli’s shoulders, dragging down his back, leaving welts and half-moons in their wake as his body strained against the onslaught. The pressure inside him had been building, coiling hot and unbearable, and when it finally snapped, it crashed over him like lightning setting every nerve aflame. “Haaaaayesss—ohgodohgodohgod—”

His body seized, clamping tight around Eli, his chest arching off the bed as his voice tore free. One long, high moan ripped out of him, cracking again and again until it fractured into a mess of sounds—half laughter, half sob, every noise dragged out without control. “E-Eli—h-ah—ahhh—Eli—!” He shuddered violently as his release spilled hot across his stomach and hand, his cries high and wrecked, each sound pulling Eli further into the spiral.

“Sterling—” Eli shattered with him with a cry of his own,

Eli’s rhythm collapsed into desperate thrusts, guttural curses spilling from his throat as he came hard, the sound of his cry braided with Sterling’s as he emptied himself deep inside. His movements faltered into trembling, shuddering pumps before he stilled, locked tight in Sterling’s body. The heat that pooled between them marked the intensity of everything they had given and taken, bodies jerking through the aftershocks.

Sterling sobbed through the comedown, his moans tapering into softer whimpers as his limbs went weak. His head lolled back, a dazed grin tugging at his lips between broken gasps, his chest heaving. Eli sagged against him, forehead pressed to the curve of his neck, still trembling as his breath stuttered out in short, heavy bursts.

Eli pressed his forehead to Sterling’s neck, groaning softly as he steadied them both, his hands still gripping Sterling’s hips like he couldn’t let go. Sterling’s legs slackened, trembling as they slipped down around Eli’s waist. His chest heaved, mouth open, gasping as laughter and sobs tangled together. “Ohhh—hahhh—fuck—” he whimpered, voice shot to pieces.

Eli pressed soft, open-mouthed kisses against the curve of his shoulder, murmuring breathless nonsense between them, still quaking faintly from the last echoes of his release. He only pulled back when Sterling’s dazed eyes blinked up at him, cupping his face with both hands, brushing damp strands of hair from his cheeks. He kissed the trails of sweat from his skin, gentle and deliberate, as though reverence alone could soothe him.

“Spirits, you were—hahh—perfect,” Eli whispered against his lips, voice hoarse, threaded with awe. “So fucking perfect.”

Sterling laughed softly, voice shredded to pieces but sweet with affection, pulling Eli closer until their lips brushed again. “Yoba’s...saggy tits...”

Eli huffed a laugh, forehead resting against his, still grinning wide and dizzy. “Yoba’s saggy tits, indeed.” He rolled carefully onto his side, bringing Sterling with him, tangling their bodies together so close their noses brushed, their breath mingling. Their hands cupped each other’s faces, fingers trembling as they traded clumsy, exhausted kisses, unable to stop. “Yoba’s saggiest tits. Thank you...”

Eli laughed and tugged the blanket up over them, leaning over to nuzzle Sterling.

Sterling wanted to say it, the word burning on his tongue, but his voice failed him, and all he could manage was, “I love this.”

Eli smiled into the kiss, warmth radiating from his chest as he tucked Sterling under his chin, winding their legs together until there was no space left between them. “I love this, too.”

Sterling pressed one shaky hand to Eli’s chest, curling his fingers over the fast thud of his heart. His body slackened, the tug of sleep pulling heavy over him, eyelids fluttering shut.

Eli reached over with one hand, snagging a water bottle and the remote from the nightstand, helping Sterling sit up to a drink. Drowsily, his eyes struggling to stay open, cheeks still pink and hair messy, he chugged half of the bottle before flopping back onto the pillow. Eli grinned and finished the rest.

[ That’s so cute. ]

“Want me to put something on? Just background noise?” he murmured, voice soft and low.

Sterling’s lips twitched into a dazed smile, too spent to answer more than a small hum. The thought of dozing off in Eli’s arms, the sound of some familiar movie filling the silence, felt like everything.

[ I hope I deserve this. ]

“I’ll wake you in an hour, okay?” Eli promised, nuzzling his chin into Sterling’s hair. “You okay with me cleaning you up a bit while you’re sleeping?

“Mmmm-hmmmm...” Sterling hummed again, weaker, already slipping. Within seconds, he was gone, breathing soft and steady, utterly tucked against Eli like he belonged there with the feeling of Eli’s hand in his hair, Eli’s scent flooding him in comfort, satisfied and content, he slept.