Archive of Our Own

Phainon doesn’t really go out, not in the way that people tend to spend Friday nights drinking and dancing to drown their grievances of the past week. 

It just doesn’t appeal to him, not alcohol nor the whole… event people make of it. 

The few times he’s tried, or rather been forced, to socialize in the context of “night life” he’d been heavily regretful the next day. Hungover, alone or sometimes found himself laying next to someone he’s never going to see again, and feeling like he wasted the last few hours doing something he can’t pretend to be proud about. 

So it’s safe to say, clubs and Phainon don’t mix. 

However, his coworkers are determined to prove otherwise. 

“Come on, you have nothing better to do!” Cipher exclaimed, too petulantly for an office break room but… the boss tends to favor her so who is Phainon to say anything. 

Trying to avoid this conversation altogether, Phainon sipped his coffee.

Alas… Castorice, one of his favorite coworkers, efficient and precise in her work, always offering to assist anyone and so, so, willing to talk about anything during breaks, she added,  “I understand it’s not your scene, but we’re fairly tame to the college raves you’re remembering.” 

Traitor. Well, at least she’s considerate about it, he mused. 

Alongside her Hyacine nodded, “Mhm, I don’t drink much either but it’s good to get out once in a while. Especially with your… schedule, you deserve a break Phainon.” 

Phainon abandoned his shield of cold coffee and ceramic, in favor of frowning at the three who stare, pleadingly at him. 

“First of all,” he started, “my routine is fine, better than fine, most would be amazed at how healthily I live, actually. Secondly, I don’t doubt you three– err, you two aren’t party animals but I can’t help but wonder why you're all so insistent on me coming.” 

“Hey!” Cipher chimed, offended but not truly in denial about it. 

Hyacine smiled, placatingly waving her hands, “We just think it’d be good for you, to meet other people or just spend time with friends. We’re worried about you, that’s all.” 

Cipher made a ‘mmph’ noise before letting out a defeated sigh, “You can try to deny it all you like, or delude yourself but you’re not really living, you know? And it’s not like we’re asking you to get matching tattoo’s or go skydiving, just go out with us for an hour or two this weekend.” she shrugged. 

“If you truly hate it, we’ll never bring up the matter again.” Castorice said solemnly. 

“-be doing ourselves a favor if anything..” Cipher mumbled. 

Phainon pointedly chose to ignore that comment, he glanced towards Castorice's weary smile and Hyacine’s confident one. 

After a suffering sigh, Phainon said “Fine, one night.” 

Quickly afterwards they all nodded, and he pretended to not hear the whispered choir of “yes!” he heard as he walked back towards his desk. 

// 

Sometime after work, between his daily gym session and grabbing dinner on his way home, he gets added to a group chat titled “Girls Night Out! (+ Phainon)” 

So far the only messages sent after his addition was Hyacine’s: “7pm Sunday night, the bar downtown our office’s district.” and then shortly after, Cipher had sent a text saying “me if Phainon bails on us:” with a gif of an attractive blond woman turning over an empty coffee cup attached. 

Phainon barely had his eyes open enough to thumbs up the first text, let alone respond to that nonsense. So he didn’t, instead he sluggishly moved through his nightly routine before collapsing into bed. 

The thing is, the girls aren’t wrong. 

Despite how annoying their attempts at inviting him out has been in the past, they do make valid points and Phainon oftentimes finds himself more apologetic than frustrated at their concerns. 

His schedule is pretty robotic from an outside point of view. 

He wakes up at the crack of dawn, stretches and does whatever his training regime requires, does his morning hygiene and eats a quick breakfast, usually consistenting of toast, fruit, eggs, salad, or more often than not, leftovers. Before heading out to work where he does whatever assignment his supervisors give him, then heads to the gym, grabs takeout on the way home, showers and crawls into bed. 

It’s not a bad routine, much better than those who need vices like alcohol and cigarettes to get through the day. 

But for some reason, despite feeling exhausted every night, he’s never satisfied. Never tired enough to actually sleep, no matter how long he closes his eyes and forces his mind to quiet. 

It’s not enough to go through the motions of living, because as harsh as it is, Cipher’s right, Phainon hasn’t felt alive in… well in a while. 

During the day he’s constantly doing things, but at night he’s restlessly turning in bed, yearning for more but unsure if he deserves it. 

His sister, Cyrene, calls often. She tries to convince him to go out, live life and all that jazz. But… placating her over the phone with a half-assed “I will, I will” is much easier than actually doing so. Much easier than reversing years of self-critism and insecurity. 

In truth, a night out with his friends sounds great, but what if he’s just simply not enough. 

What if it’s not the routine, what if it’s him. What if there’s something wrong with Phainon in a way he could never dream of conditioning out of him. 

What if functioning like a normal person shocks him into the reality that he’s not built for it, not allowed the privilege of happiness. 

Phainon glanced around the dark room, eyes taking a second to focus as he squinted at his clock. 

4:07 he grumbled, before rolling out of bed to watch TV on the couch until he inevitably passed out. 

// 

The weekend passed by in a breeze. His routine being the same as ever, when he doesn’t work he’ll still end up glued to a chair, granted he usually just burns the time by playing  video games or scrolling through forums. 

Except on Sunday evening, after getting roughly 17 messages in the group chat, mostly from Cipher, “gently” sending reminders of his promise, he started getting ready for a night out. 

His outfit is nothing special or particularly thoughtful, just a loosely fitted button up, slacks and his lucky purple and yellow sneakers.

Though, at work he tends to hide his neck tattoo, not because his managers are strict or anything, but professionalism is a good trait to have. So to have it displayed, even in a darkly lit nightclub, he feels a little excited. 

When Phainon finally finds the bar, he’s (one) impressed and (two) extremely glad he didn’t eat dinner beforehand. 

Not only is it not a club as he envisioned, but it’s more of a high end restaurant, with a beautiful rustic bar splitting the floor plan. Nothing remotely “college rave”-like other than the dim lighting, but even that is lacking the particularly seizure inducing flashes. 

When he spots the girls all gathered towards the back like they said, he prepares to wave but is immediately slowed by the fourth, rather unexpected, person sitting at the table. 

Wedged between Cipher and Castorice is a built looking man, with shoulder length blonde hair and his arms crossed. 

His first thought is imagining the scenario of having to get rid of this muscular, rugged looking man for disturbing three girls sitting in a bar. However, his rationale catches up before his body. 

Sat between the girls while they happily chat with him, not a single twitch of discomfort. 

If anyone looks uncomfortable, it’s the man himself. Idly twisting a small braid of hair, stiff posture and a nodding along to whatever Cipher is slyly saying. 

Phainon doesn't notice that the ends of his hair are red, or the red-inked tattoo under his eye, or his way-too-tight to be comfortable black turtle neck until he hesitantly stops at the end of the semi-circle booth.  

The man glanced at him, with a questioning look but before he can offer his own, Hyacine tugs him into the spot next to her. 

“Snowy! You made it after all!” Cipher greeted him excitedly. 

Phainon scoffed, “I said I’d come.” 

While the other girls greeted him and he offered a kind smile in return, Phainon tentatively looked towards the unfamiliar person, and was both embarrassed and invigorated to see him already looking towards him as well. 

Phainon choked on his own introduction, breath escaping him as he met the sharp yet honeyed eyes of the other. 

Immediately his gaze is diverted, scanning the drinks and plate of appetizers already ordered. He almost feels like a child sitting at the adult table for the first time, unable to meet anyone’s eyes lest they realise he doesn’t belong. 

It’s odd how that thought both allows his breath to steady and causes his heart to thrum a little louder. 

His inability to function is noticed as Castorice promptly spoke up “Mydei! This is the coworker we were telling you about. Phainon, this is Mydeimos. He used to work with us, before you.” 

Mydei, or Mydeimos, offered a small nod, “I was starting to think you weren’t real with how many stories I’ve been told.” 

If Phainon squinted, he thought he might’ve seen a ghostly smile of amusement tugging at the corner of his lips. 

Lips that Phainon is not staring at… 

Coughing lightly, Hyacine gently elbowed him out of his daze. “All good things, I swear.” She joked. 

“I don’t!” Cipher chirped. 

That pulled Phainon into the present, as he laughed along with the sneers and quiet chuckles. “Ah, well… Despite what you may or may not have been told, I hope you’re the type to make your own judgments. Hm, Mydeimos?” 

“Mydei,” he corrected, “That depends on whether you make a lasting impression.” He remarked, slowly swirling his drink. 

Gods, if Phainon can do anything, it’s leaving behind impressions. His appearance alone carries the majority of that torch, with his chalk white hair, piercing blue eyes and large stature. However, if Mydei wanted more… encouraged more.. Well, Phainon doesn’t mind letting his usual inhibitions loose tonight. “Oh yeah? Challenge accepted, Mydei.” 

Phainon and clubs don’t mix, but he discovers that bars and him do. 

He rarely drank in college, but he remembers having a better tolerance than this… or it could be that Mydei is just inhuman. 

Phainon tried to keep up with him, but while he felt flush with the warmth of liquor, Mydei hadn’t so much as stuttered since he arrived. 

Even if Mydei is beating him in their unofficial drinking contest, at least Phainon noticed Mydei smiling more freely now, eyes glinting with amusement while the girls recount another story where he embarrassed himself in front of their boss, who apparently is well acquainted with Mydei. 

Phainon almost thinks that this is what it must have been like at the mean girl’s table in highschool. Maybe he would know better if he attended traditional high school, but Phainon is more than sure they'd be comfortable talking about others with how much Mydei seems to know about him. 

And yet, he knows so little. It’s one thing for the girls to tell Mydei about him, hopefully they’ve said more good than bad, but for them to not have even mentioned Mydei’s name? Let alone that he worked at the company? 

Phainon is beyond offended, even more so when he finds himself asking, “You’re pretty young to have quit an office job, were you fired?” 

And well… maybe it is rude to ask someone about their possible layoff, in Phainon’s defense… he knows nothing about Mydei! 

So when they all stare at him, in various states of confusement, affronted and displeasure, he thinks he blew it. Already shown Mydei, and the girls why he doesn’t go out, because if people were to really know him, they wouldn’t like what they see. 

Further proving his doubts, while the girls all gaped at him, Mydei furrowed his brows in a scrutinizing gaze before saying, “Why is that the conclusion you jump to? Do I strike you as a slacker?” 

Swallowing his nerves, Phainon attempted a laugh, shook his head and said the first thing that comes to mind, “With that body? Definitely not.” 

Where the girls were previously looking at him like he kicked their puppy, they now look entirely disgusted. Well, that’s really just how Cipher is looking at him, Castorice looks like he just bought her a puppy. 

Mydei on the other hand had looked mildly amused, he leaned forward to rest his chin in his palm, his glare softened to a sultry sort of gaze as he smirked. “I could say the same about you.” 

Phainon doesn’t miss the way Cipher rapidly looked between them out of the corner of his eye, or the sound of Hyacine’s muffled giggles, nor the feeling that his burning face matched the furious blush on Castorice’s. 

…

There’s something in the way that Mydei studied him as Cipher cackled at a joke Hyacine made, it made Phainon want to squirm, but also to abandon all decorum and start flexing where he sits. 

Phainon wants, he discovered, perhaps for the first time in a long while. 

It’s an epiphany he never felt deserving of, at least not before this night. Not before he met Mydei, because Mydei might just be worth getting over his insecurities for. 

That’s not to say Phainon has never entertained the thought of a relationship, but people are quick to make assumptions, based on his friendly smiles and polite words. People like that version of Phainon, someone you could bring home to your parents.

But that’s not really him? Not entirely, at least. 

Mydei though… Mydei hasn’t been completely turned off by everything the girls have told him, nor his slightly impolite questions or his amused stares. 

Strangely enough, after only knowing this man for an hour, Phainon can envision a reality where he’s awoken to a warmth that isn’t fleeting, wants to cook dinners together after work and fall asleep tangled in each other's arms. 

Phainon can imagine a life not void of meaning, and, oh, he wants that. 

Even if Mydei doesn’t want the same, with him, he can at least thank Mydei for helping him realise what he’s been lacking. 

So, Phainon grinned back at Mydei as he thought about a life different from his own. 

//

Late into the night, as most of the other tables cleared out and the waitress stopped bringing out drinks, Mydei caught his attention, who pointed towards his own neck before saying “Is that your only one?" 

Phainon nodded, a little dizzy with the sudden movement in his drunkened state. “Want more, tattoo’s are ‘ttractive.” he mumbled. 

On either side of Mydei, Cipher let out an undignified snort while Castorice squeaked in surprise. 

Confused and honestly uncaring, Phainon continued looking only at Mydei before he asked “Do you have any others?” 

Grinning, Mydei offered an ambiguous sort of hum. “Other than my face, you mean? Sure, I have a few.” 

Phainon is only a little ashamed to admit how his eyes roamed over Mydei’s figure throughout the dinner. It doesn’t help that the shirt he’s wearing is sinfully tight, leaving nothing to the imagination as Phainon traced the curve of his muscle. It’s also downright cruel how he planted the idea of what other tattoo’s he might have in Phainon’s seedy mind. 

Maybe they’re little detailed pieces like Castorice’s thin butterfly on the side of her palm, or an entire sleeve like the regulars at his gym. 

That’s a thought as well… how often Mydei must work out to maintain a body like that. Toned and defined and luring Phainon in like a professional athlete to steroids. 

Phainon might be inclined to think Mydei used some sort of enhancement, if not for how respectful and calm the man seems. 

Also, he considers Mydei’s body compared to his. Side by side, back to back, front to front, maybe horizontal. 

Either way, while Mydei’s physique is attractive, Phainon knows his build is much more practical. He could probably lift Mydei fairly easily, considering his lack of body fat and how small his waist is proportionate to his shoulders. 

…

That train of thought is how he ends up downing the last two shots at the table, in an attempt to get the alcohol to depress his nervous system as quickly as possible. 

The goal is a good impression, not one that borders on calling the police. 

However, the shots just make everything else harder. 

The conversation moved too fast for Phainon to catch up, let alone respond. Mydei’s face became a blurred memory when he closed his eyes, resting his cheek against Hyacine’s head, he saw the faint glow of gold and the brilliant red dripping from the sharp edges. 

Faintly, he felt her jostling from a laugh, whether it’s about him or not, he couldn’t tell. 

Though he does manage to make out Cipher’s voice, “I should get these two home, if you can pry Cas off…” 

Mydei’s deep laugh rang through his ears, sobering him in an instant. “I’ll walk you out.” 

Phainon registered the sound of them shuffling out of the booth, Castorice’s tired protests as she passed to Cipher. Unfortunately his own pillow, Hyacine, eventually moves out of reach as well, but she does carefully guide his head to the table before leaving. 

“Mm, sure. You gonna call him a cab?” Cipher said, somewhere vaguely near. 

“If you know his address. Or I could leave him here until morning.” Mydei responded and it’s embarrassing how Phainon can already picture his smug little smirk as he says it.

Hyacine cut in with, “Careful, he’ll burn the place down if you let him into the kitchen.” 

“That bad?” There’s a brief silence before Mydei continued, his voice smaller all of a sudden, “…I could take him home.”

Yes, Phainon thinks. Yes, please. 

God, Phainon loves his co-workers. Really just fantastic people all around, this might be the best night of his life. Even though he knows his mind is going to split into two with his hangover tomorrow, even though he knows the chances of embarrassing himself further are high in the positives, even though he’s too tired to see Mydei’s expression, Phainon has never felt so satisfied. 

Phainon loves his co-workers, even Cipher, who said “I expect details tomorrow.” 

And while Mydei huffed an appeasing agreement, Phainon is the one who needs details and if there’s one thing he’ll remember by tomorrow, it’ll be to ask his coworkers for every little thing they know about Mydei. 

That is, if Phainon hasn’t learned everything he can throughout the rest of the night

//

Phainon faintly registered leaning against Mydei’s warm body in the elevator. 

Or maybe Mydei had pulled him in? 

Honestly, the only reason Phainon knows he’s in an elevator was because of the most boring, repetitive music he’s ever heard and the blinding white lights that kept him from falling asleep on Mydei’s shoulder. 

When Phainon had dared to open his eyes, he immediately whined at the harsh lighting and buried his face in Mydei’s sweater. 

Oh. Maybe he stumbled into Mydei’s space on his own. 

Either way, he definitely felt Mydei’s hand pulling him forward. Away from the same one melody repeating like a broken record in his brain, thank god. 

Everything after that was a blur, up until his body had hit a soft bed and thick blankets thrown over him. 

Mydei, presumably, is heard shuffling throughout the room. Soft sounds of him moving around echoed as Phainon tried to fight off sleep. 

He’s tired, so tired, but Phainon wants to stay up and talk to Mydei.

He wants, needs, to ask if Mydei felt it as well. If the flirting was real, or if Phainon had made it all up in his head to delude himself into believing that he’s capable of more than mundane days and lonely nights. 

Phainon groaned as he forced his limbs to move. He stretched out across the sheets languidly. 

Softing moaning into the feeling, Phainon cracked an eye open. The light was much less jarring in this room compared to the god awful hellbox of the elevator. 

Only illuminated by a pale-yellowish lamp, Phainon was able to search the room through squinted eyes. Though his gaze struggled to focus, he eventually found who he was looking for.

Only a few feet away, Mydei’s back was turned to him. 

Phainon startled awake, because not only was Mydei shirtless, but Phainon was shocked with the realization that when Mydei claimed to have a “few” more tattoo’s… he led Phainon completely astray with just how inked he actually was.  

Painted red lines dragged across his back, from the width of his shoulder to the center of his spine, and curved crimson seemed to emerge from his waist down to his hips… 

All symmetrical and stark, Phainon’s eyes roamed curiously over the color. Especially at the way they seemed to extend past what he could view. 

Mydei turned at Phainon’s surprised squeal, and pulled down the shirt Phainon didn’t even notice him putting on. 

“Oh. Sorry, I figured you were out cold.” Mydei explained as he moved to grab something on the nightstand. “Here, drink this before I leave.” 

Phainon glanced at the glass of water Mydei brought to his lips, but hesitated to take his eyes off of Mydei for long enough to drink. 

“Um, your… your body is insane.” Phainon unintelligently choked out.  

Mydei seemed to raise a brow at that. “You shouldn’t have drank so much if you’re such a lightweight.” 

“‘m not!” Phainon objected, offended. He’s not a lightweight, Mydei is just… alcohol resistant. 

“Sure… just drink the water so you don’t throw up in your sleep.” 

Phainon didn’t appreciate the unconvinced tone, but he drank the water anyway, following the lip of the cup as Mydei titled the glass further. 

“Good boy,” Mydei said, and watched as Phainon coughed on the water. “Now, It’s late so get some rest and I’ll decide what to do with you in the morning.” 

“What to do… with me?” Phainon asked curiously, especially with the way Mydei seemed to grin, all before taking the empty cup back and moving towards the open doorway. “Wait– where are you going?” 

Mydei glanced back, “To sleep.” 

“Where?” 

“The couch.” 

“Why not s’leep in bed?” Phainon wondered aloud.

Mydei turned to look at him, visibly unimpressed, “You’re laying on it.” 

“Oh…” Phainon looked down at the blanket covering his lower half before returning his gaze to Mydei, “So?” 

“So?” Mydei repeated, shock apparent in his tone. “So we met tonight, you’re drunk, and you’re my friend's coworker… You do know that I’m attracted to men, right?” 

“I see…” Phainon hummed with what he prayed could be read as nonchalance, because while he had his suspicions, hearing it out loud made him feel elated with hope. “--but I’m not that drunk… ‘m tipsy at best.” 

Mydei tilted his head in amusement, “Really…? You’re been slurring all your words… You’re lucky that I’ve been dealing with a drunk Cipher since college or I’d have no idea what you’re saying.” 

“I’m pretty coherent… see, I used a big word an’ everything.” Phainon pointed out, and inwardly patted himself on the back when Mydei crept closer again. 

Not that Phainon is thinking of doing anything dubious, but a chance at sharing a bed with a beautiful man is too tantalizing of an opportunity to miss out on. Especially when he has so much to learn about said man, since his friends are apparently evil traitors. 

“Hm, that is a good point.” Mydei hummed in faux-thought as he set the empty glass down and sat at the edge of the bed. Mirth laced through his tone, but Phainon didn't mind being laughed at if it kept Mydei’s gaze on him. 

“Mhmm!” Phainon exclaimed in sudden realization, “Look, there’s enough room for both of us.” He scooted further away from the center of the mattress, giving Mydei enough room to lay down, and yet not enough room to completely separate them. 

Mydei, staring at him, sighed deeply but Phainon didn’t miss his smile as they both laid down together. 

The sound of fabric being shuffled as Mydei pulled the covers over himself leaves an awkward air in the otherwise silent room, but Phainon simply closes his eyes in contentment. 

He’s exhausted, but in a satisfactory way. Like, even though he was arguably less productive today, skipping his evening gym session to grab drinks, he can’t help but feel satisfied in accomplishing something equally substantial.  

Regardless of the man laid down next to him, Phainon sits in the warm feeling of going out with his friends. The way they fondly shared stories of him, intending to embarrass him or not, laughed over drunk antics and even when they stared at him like he’d grown two heads, it felt loving. 

Despite their crimes, not telling them about Mydei in advance, the tension he felt eased throughout the night because it seemed like they actually liked him.

Not only the girl's actions, but also this new interesting face, as Mydei came off as cocky and intimidating, but glancing at his side profile now, bathed in a soft yellow gleam, Phainon sees someone soft and intricate. 

Phainon thinks, not for the first time, that he needs to understand all the various versions of Mydei and hopes that when Mydei learns of him in turn, that he’ll like what he sees. 

Because what Phainon thought at the restaurant earlier was wrong. Phainon can’t let Mydei go, knowing that he might end up with someone else, living the life they should be living together. 

Phainon knows that no one could keep up with him in the way that Mydei did tonight. Mydei took at the weird expressions and awkward phrases with a scornful gaze but a light smile. 

He picked up the pieces he left and brought them home, in his bed. Phainon doesn’t know if that kind of consideration is naive or reassuring. But, he’ll damn sure test these new boundaries. 

Phainon shifted uncomfortably as Mydei settled, and only once the other had gotten cozy, did he suddenly whine and fumble at his buttoned shirt. 

Gods, he might be a little numb from the alcohol but sleeping in dressed down office clothes feels like prison. Mydei could’ve at least taken his belt off. 

Phainon struggled with the first button for a few seconds before Mydei sighed, and started unhooking the little clasps one by one, top to bottom. 

Phainon preened with the attention, using the necessary proximity as an excuse to study Mydei’s features up close. 

He’s pretty in such a handsome way, nose curved in a harsh slope, light freckles littered across his tan skin, eyes sharp but expression mellow. 

Mydei’s hands wandered lower and lower, until every button was undone and Phainon’s belt was tugged loose. 

Only then did those golden irises meet his own aquatic blue. 

“What?” Mydei asked, somewhat gruffly. 

Phainon stared at Mydei with big, wonderfilled eyes. Mydei seemed to give him a lot of leanacy like this, nearly spoiling him with care. It made him want to see just how far he could take it. 

Opening his arms a little, Phainon awkwardly asked “Can we cuddle… I get sad when I’m drunk...” 

“So you are drunk.” Mydei shot back, eyeing him suspiciously. 

“Maybe just a little bit…” Phainon whimpered, turning on his best sad, wet dog act he had. 

“You’re so needy, it’s like I’m taking care of a child.” Mydei complained, yet Phainon noted the way his hands had simply drifted from his belt towards his shoulders. 

Mydei wrapped his thick arms, holy shit, around Phainon's neck and cradled his head, holding him with such gentle care it almost made Phainon feel bad for taking advantage of the situation. 

Almost, but as Phainon naturally rested his cheek against Mydei’s pillowly chest, what the actual fuck–, he couldn’t help but feel overwhelming ecstatic. 

Afraid of breaking this blissful bubble, Phainon slowly slid his arms around Mydei’s surprisingly small midsection, okay this is just unreal. 

The silence that followed wasn’t nearly as cavernous as earlier. 

They don’t feel like strangers, as awkward as that may be with the lack of information Phainon has on Mydei. 

Phainon felt an unreasonable fondness for the man surrounding him, despite the circumstance. 

Phainon isn’t used to being doted on by any means. Sure, Cyrene will check in on him occasionally, but she’s never been the type to be overbearing. Cipher will lean onto Phainon but only when she’s feeling particularly pesky, while Hyacine and Castorice generally keep to themselves. 

So, with those being the only people he’d consider himself close with, Phainon doesn’t get to experience being held. Much less, gentle caresses and softly spoken words. 

Such as “...what do you get sad about, Phainon?” 

Mydei said it in a sweet murmur, making the reality feel all too real. 

Because, Phainon does get sad. 

Alone, barely functioning and restless, Phainon spends each night aimlessly wandering through a landmine of his own untapped emotions. Dreading setting himself off, but unable to ignore them. 

“Mm… a lot.” Phainon mumbled as he nuzzled his cheek into the warmth Mydei so generously offered. 

Being here with another warm body, or maybe just Mydei, made Phainon settle into the uncomfortable realization that all those sleepless nights were hell in comparison. 

This bed was soft and welcoming to his tired, slightly tipsy body. Mydei himself was all indulgence and comfort for his less than acceptable thoughts. 

Suddenly, Phainon didn’t have room in his brain for the self-critic or loneliness, because all he felt was Mydei. 

Mydei, Mydei, Mydei. 

Mydei who had hummed without judgment and said, “Really? Why? You’re handsome and outspoken, what do you have to be depressed about?” 

“I’m glad you think so.” Phainon laughed humourlessly. “Even hot people can be depressed, Mydei.” he gently chided.  

Mydei was silent above him for a breath too long. 

But before Phainon could spiral into thinking he ruined something, Mydei brushed his hand down Phainon’s back and thoughtfully hummed, “Hm, I guess I hadn’t considered that before.” 

Phainon blinked rapidly, “Do you not get sad, Mydei?” 

“Nonsense, everyone does. I’ve just never had a reason to be truly depressed.” Mydei spoke. 

That sounded… sad in and of itself. 

Phainon frowned, and tilted his head up to express his displeasure. “I don’t think you need a reason… you’re allowed to hurt just because.” 

Mydei met his gaze instantly, unafraid to be visibly studying his sincerity. 

“Are you?” He asked. 

“Of course, Mydei, but I hope you don’t ever get a reason–” 

Mydei cut him off, a challenge in his tone. “No, are you allowed to hurt for no reason?” 

Phainon paused. “Well…? Uh– no, I guess?” He furrowed his brows as he stared at Mydei, searching. “I hadn’t considered that before.” 

“Don’t use my words against me,” Mydei countered. “I was just curious, don’t think too deeply about it.” 

Phainon pursed his lips. 

He was already thinking about it, reexamining his entire life view as Mydei simply laid his head down to move on. 

“Wait, no– Why did you…” Phainon trailed off. “Ugh! It's not fair that the girls told you everything about me and I jus’ met you!” 

“Ah… Well. I did ask them to let us meet naturally. I heard you denied all their attempts to make us meet in the past.” 

“Mydei… I didn’t know you’d be there! I would’ve gone if they told me about you… I thought they wanted to get me drunk and take embarrassing photos.” Phainon complained, squeezing his arms tighter around Mydei’s waist. 

Phainon reveled in the way Mydei glanced back down at him with the action. “Hm. And yet the first night you met me you’re already in my bed. Don’t you move fast?” 

“Hey!” Phainon defended, “I’m drunk, you took me home! You’re the perv!”

“Me? As if you weren’t staring at my chest the whole night.” Mydei argued.

With his chin resting on Mydei's sternum, Phainon couldn’t exactly object… “W-well… It’s a nice chest! And I was looking at your arms too!”  

“Mhm, I noticed.” Mydei purred, sounding suspiciously amused. “It’s alright, I’ve had much longer to admire you.” 

“Mydei…” Phainon said, somewhere between breathlessly stunned and utterly scandalized. “What does that mean!?” 

“It means,” he rolled his eyes, “that when Cas and Cipher first started mentioning you, they showed me pictures as well.” 

Phainon swallowed, because there’s no way that meant what it sounded like.

There’s no way anything Mydei said or did tonight can be interpreted as what it seemed like. 

Because… well, because that would mean… 

Phainon gasped, “You want to have sex with me?” 

The startled laugh that Mydei let out was basically a shout compared to the way Phainon whispered the words. 

“Are you normally this dense or is it the alcohol?” 

Phainon frowned, “Is that a yes?” 

Mydei hesitated, a scowl forming on his lips. “You’re actually dumb, oh my god. I’m attracted to an idiot.” 

Maybe Phainon should’ve been offended at that, but he couldn’t help but feel giddy at the confession. Giggling, Phainon shoves his face into Mydei’s pecs and squeezes at his torso. Mydei is just too cute… 

“Okay, okay, get off.” Mydei growled as he tried to pull away. “You’re taking advantage of the situation.” 

But, this was just too much fun. And Phainon didn’t even feel tired anymore, a surge of excitement ran through him while he clung to Mydei. 

He couldn’t let go of this feeling, not if Mydei might act like nothing happened in the morning. The alcohol had felt long gone by now, and he couldn’t let Mydei have the chance to shrug off his behavior as drunken impulses. 

“Hehe. You like me sooo much, don’t you?” Phainon teased. 

The sloppy kiss he pressed upon Mydei’s collar was quickly stopped as a hand grabbed him by the nape and pulled his head back. 

“I’m not entertaining you when you’re like this.” Mydei warned. “Don’t do something you’ll regret.” 

The glare that Phainon was leveled with had him shiver as Mydei effectively scruffed him like a cat. 

God, Phainon wanted him so bad every ounce of his attention felt sobering. 

Regret? The only thing Phainon regretted was not agreeing to get drinks with his friends sooner. 

“Mydei…” Phainon started, his thigh found the space between Mydei’s legs. “I think you’ve entertained me plenty so far.” 

And hadn’t he? 

Looking back, Mydei was definitely flirting with him at the restaurant. In front of their mutual friends no less. With their help, actually. 

Maybe Phainon should thank them for being so involved in his admittedly lonely lifestyle… That would have to happen tomorrow though, after he handles Mydei’s 180 attitude. 

Mydei brought him home, he offered it unprompted— if Phainon recalls correctly. 

Instead of throwing him onto the couch and leaving it as an issue for the morning, he’d taken Phainon to his bedroom, tucked him in and got him water. 

Not to mention, he crawled into bed with Phainon without much of a fight and then proceeded to embrace him like a caring partner. 

Sure Phainon doesn’t get out much or go home with strangers, but if that isn’t indulgence, Phainon doesn’t know what is. 

Mydei growled at the way Phainon ground his hips into him, “You’re wasted. Can you even get hard?” 

Fuck, even his insults sounded provocative. 

Phainon smiled, with his head tilted back in Mydei’s grasp, he let his eyelids droop down. Hazy and smooth, Phainon simply said, “Now that’s a challenge I can win.” 

Mydei’s grip loosened as his face twisted into surprise, and Phainon took the opportunity for what it was. 

Phainon sat back on his knees, trapping one of Mydei’s sturdy thighs between his legs, as his own equally muscled thigh pressed into Mydei’s groin. 

During the dinner, and the drunk stumble to Mydei’s apartment, Phainon hadn’t gotten the chance to appreciate all of Mydei's figure. But seeing the bigger picture now, he could make the time. 

His hands took hold of Mydei’s hips, snaking under the fabric of his loose t-shirt. 

Phainon knew that his waist was surprisingly lean when he’d wrapped his arms around it, but as he smoothed his hold upwards, tugging at the shirt, it all seemed rather insane. 

The soft glow from the lamp cast hard shadows across his torso, illuminating the lines of his abs. Even with the impressive firmness of his stomach, the red ink leading from the thinnest part of his waist furthered the illusion that his body was simply absurdly proportioned. 

Phainon extended his fingers as far as possible and nearly groaned at the way his thumbs almost met the middle of Mydei’s stomach. 

“Mydei… You are unreal.” He murmured under his breath. 

But Mydei grabbed his shoulders, holding Phainon an arms length away. “Is this a joke to you?” He asked, sounding oddly serious for how lightheaded Phainon felt. 

Dumbly, Phainon shook his head no, but he didn’t really understand what Mydei was getting at. 

A joke? Was his attraction to Mydei’s body a joke? Definitely not. But did the situation feel a little funny, given how overwhelmed Phainon was. Maybe… 

“You look like you’re seconds away from passing out. Are you even gonna remember this tomorrow morning?” 

Phainon tore his gaze away from Mydei’s abdomen and spared his frown one look before he declared, “If I ever forget this, please just kill me.” 

Maybe the inhuman amount of alcohol he consumed had finally caught up, but Phainon swore he saw red tint across Mydei’s face. 

“Okay… what if you do remember? Then what happens?” Mydei asked, his grip tightening around Phainon's shoulders. 

“Well…” Phainon started. But, the answer seemed obvious enough. “We do it again?” 

Mydei sputtered, “...Have you no shame?” 

Phainon usually did… but that mostly pertained to himself. It seemed useless to be shameful about Mydei, or his innate desire for him, at least. 

So, “No, I guess not.” 

Phainon saw the way Mydei’s stomach sank as his breath hitched. 

“Look Mydei, I really like you.” And you apparently like me a lot too, “But if you don’t want this… I can handle rejection.” 

He really couldn’t, if Mydei said no now, his brain might implode, heart give out, dick fall off, or all of the above. But, he wouldn’t let Mydei know that. 

Phainon could act like a mature adult and wait until he got home to cry and furiously jack off. 

Mydei studied him, glaring at his expression like it’d give his true thoughts away. 

And maybe it did, or maybe Mydei felt the same way because his hands wandered down to Phainon’s biceps, where he squeezed gently. 

“Alright.” Mydei finally decided, “Prove me wrong.” 

To say that those words spurred Phainon into action would be a gross undervaluing of the meaning. 

With Mydei no longer holding him back, Phainon’s first course of action was to lean forward and finally claim Mydei’s lips. 

The same lips that teased Phainon all night, that asked questions with obvious answers and that seemed to mock him, melted into the kiss easily. 

After the initial surprise, Mydei kissed back with just as much hunger as Phainon felt. 

Aggressive and desperate, they both pushed and pulled, bit and sucked across each other's mouths. 

Mydei tasted cool, like fresh mint. 

And even though Phainon knew his breath could only be filled with the warm bitterness of ethanol, Mydei seemed the furthest thing from repulsed. 

Parting his lips, Mydei’s tongue prodded between Phainon’s. 

One of Phainon’s hands left Mydei’s waist, with the sole purpose of raking his fingers through the hair on the back of Mydei’s head. Phainon gripped locks of blonde hair and held Mydei still as he tilted his head, granting himself access. 

Mydei let it happen easily, as he eagerly licked along the wall of Phainon’s teeth. 

When Phainon didn’t let him go any further, Mydei had nipped at his bottom lip in frustration. 

Phainon pulled back, he grinned at Mydei’s dazed expression. “Drunk already?” 

“Shut up,” Mydei snapped. “open.” 

Phainon gazed forward, with Mydei trapped under his weight, head held just out of reach and yet making demands. 

This is living. 

“No,” Phainon crooned. “I have something to prove.” 

Ignoring Mydei’s noise of complaint, Phainon trailed downwards. He pressed warm, self satisfying, kisses along his jaw down to his neck, where he sucked reddening marks. 

If Mydei truly wanted to break free, he could. His arms were unrestrained and roaming over the expanse of Phainon’s chest greedily. 

So, if he could’ve pushed Phainon away if he was actually annoyed… But instead, he let Phainon explore. 

Phainon tested each inch of skin, noting how Mydei’s fingers would twitch against him, his skin would shiver or the small gasps he took when Phainon sucked harsher than before. 

Mydei busied himself with kneading at Phainon’s bare pecs, or grasping his bicep or futility trying to close his legs around Phainon’s knee. 

At first, Phainon had let him, content to simply learn Mydei’s body. But, once he felt the telling sign of arousal pressed against his thigh – he swept his leg over Mydeis, fully straddling him. 

The pressure on his own cock was taken away by the movement, but it wouldn’t stay that way for long. 

Phainon nipped one last bite, at the center of Mydei’s throat, before his hands were roughly pulling the belt out of the loops of his pants. 

Mydei took the hint, unbuttoning Phainon’s pants and tugging the zipper down. 

Phainon sat up to shuffle his pants off and Mydei took the chance to pull his own down. 

“Eager?” Phainon teased. 

Mydei had a scowl on his face, but the way his ears seemed seconds away from catching fire made it hard to really take his threats seriously. 

“You thought I couldn’t get it up, right?” Phainon asked pointedly. “Feel it and find out.” 

Mydei didn’t need to feel it to know, just the outline of Phainon’s cock straining against the thin fabric of his boxers was proof enough. Even so, Mydei placed his palm over the bulge and stroked along the hard edge. 

“Congrats, I’m proud of you. Is that what you wanted to hear?” Mydei hissed, hand gripped around Phainon’s length. 

“Mhmm,” Phainon purred, “Tell me I’m your good boy.” 

Mydei raised an eyebrow at him, but otherwise ignored him. 

Worth a shot. 

It might’ve come out like a joke, but Phainon would be lying if he said hearing Mydei praise— or degrade for that matter him— wouldn’t turn him on. 

Phainon ran his hands over Mydei’s hip once, before his thumb slid into Mydei’s underwear and gently peeled it down. 

Mydei shivered as Phainon held up his hard dick and brought it towards his own. 

Wasting no more time, Phainon pulled his cock out and pressed it against Mydei’s. 

Mydei was as big as you’d expect, thick too. However, Phainon knew he’d be bigger. 

He loved being right, as he wrapped his hands around both and noted the noticeable gap between the top of his head and Mydei’s. 

“..bigger here too,” he murmured. 

In the elevator, when he’d leaned on Mydei, he’d realised that his shoulders were lower than his own. Taller, wider and apparently in multiple aspects, Phainon loved how Mydei was the first person to keep up with him in a while, and yet, he still won. 

There was no debating that Mydei had him beat in certain aspects, chest was the first thing that came to mind, but still, he was allowed to preen at having a bigger dick. 

Mydei moaned when Phainon squeezed his hands around them, or maybe he enjoyed the visual as well. 

Phainon typically liked it wetter than this, but he didn’t know where the lube was kept, and Mydei didn’t seem to have any complaints as he dragged his palms up and down their shafts. 

It wasn’t dry, but the moistness between them was sticky from pre-cum and sweat. 

Phainon’s cock was drooling over Mydei’s, reminding him of his own eagerness. 

Usually when Phainon drunkening came home with someone else, he didn’t remember much of the previous night, but Phainon knew he wouldn’t forget this feeling. 

There was a deep need for Mydei that far outweighed his faint level of intoxication. Even if Phainon did manage to forget the whole ordeal, he was confident that the feelings would remain rooted in his heart. 

Not to mention, Phainon wanted to be inside Mydei more than he’d ever cared for sex before. It felt easy to kiss, easy to jerk them off together and easy to want.  

Actually… speaking of, “You want me to fuck you?” It’d be hard if they weren’t on the same page… 

Mydei was panting heavily, wound up from the attention to his cock, but he still managed to send Phainon a confused look. 

“Obvi–ously?” Mydei said, like Phainon was stupid. 

And Phainon did feel a little dumb, he should probably stop thinking so much while feeling Mydei’s scorching hot flesh on his. Especially with the way Mydei’s canine bit into his lip as he tried to muffle a whimper. 

“Can you go again?” Phainon heaved. 

Mydei nodded so quickly it made Phainon dizzy just watching. 

“Okay,” Phainon appeased, “Okay, I got you. You can cum, Mydei.” 

Phainon kept up the same pace as he rubbed their leaking cocks together, and watched Mydei struggle. He seemed to be unsure on whether to grind up into Phainon's hand, or down and away. 

Either way, Phainon felt his own arousal build, nearly past his boiling point. 

But, where Phainon was confident he could get hard, he wasn’t too sure that he could cum multiple times after so many drinks. 

And he wasn’t going to risk a chance to fuck the man he’d waited all his life for. 

Phainon let his cock twitch helplessly against Mydei’s, but wrapped most of his hand around Mydei and grinned at the shuddering gasp he drew out. 

Mydei was close, his tells were too easy, brows drawn up, lips quivering and flush all over. 

“Come on. Cum in my hand,” Phainon cooed, thumbing over Mydei’s slit. “You’ll be cumming on my cock soon enough.” 

Mydei whined, loud and unabashed, as he came. 

As Mydei came down, Phainon worked him through it, slowing his rough pace to a teasing pet. 

It wasn’t long before Mydei got oversensitive and pulled Phainon’s wrists away

Even though Phainon’s own arousal was unsated, he felt satisfied in watching Mydei’s brain caught up to his body. The way his eyes had a thin layer of fog cast over as he glanced towards Phainon’s quiet chuckles, and his slight frown upon seeing Phainon still hard. 

“Why did you—” 

Phainon kissed Mydei, short and sweet compared to the clashing of teeth earlier, stunning the man silent. 

“Don’t you wan’ me to fuck you? Want me inside?” Phainon murmured, small and syrupy, just like the peck he placed on Mydei’s lips. 

Mydei hesitated, he looked at Phainon with something akin to disbelief, hands hovered in the air like he ached to touch but wasn’t sure if he could. 

“Yeah…” Mydei mumbled, looking away. 

Phainon tilted his head in questioning, he tried to move into Mydei’s line of sight but Mydei simply sighed and pushed Phainon backwards. 

As easily as Phainon had held Mydei down, he was pinned onto his back. 

Mydei straddled Phainon’s waist and leaned forward so that he could press Phainon’s shoulders to the mattress. 

Hot, Phainon thought instantly as he watched Mydei pull his shirt over his head. 

If Phainon found the single teasing lines of Mydei’s tattoo on his waist appealing, the plethora of red ribbons on his chest was just an unfair advantage. 

Under him, Phainon had the perfect view of the tattoos underlining his pecs, like a guild for where his hands should be. 

Only thinking with his dick at this point, Phainon did exactly that. He reached upwards and supported Mydei’s tits with his thumb and pointer finger, pushing them up like a bra would. 

Fuck, Phainon might die tonight. 

He hadn’t even gotten to appreciate the curved lines of crimson around Mydei’s thick biceps before his wrists were pushed together in Mydei’s hold. 

“Mydei—” 

“Shh, thought you wanted to be a good boy for me?” 

The whimper Phainon let out was visceral.

Phainon slowly nodded, curious about what that really meant, intrigued all the same. 

Mydei hummed, but his subconscious little grinds into Phainon’s stomach were telling enough. 

Phainon watched as Mydei reached off the side of the bed, before he sat back down, belt in hand. 

Phainon shuddered, as he took in the sight of Mydei wrapping the belt around his wrists he considered the reasons he was so drawn to Mydei. 

Mydei was a lot of things, intimidating, standoffish and awkward but Phainon learned a lot in just a few hours, mostly spent drunk. 

How he could be all of these things and yet the opposite. He was considerate, honest and clever. 

Phainon wanted to be that as much as he wanted to be near that. 

Where Phainon felt bland and uninteresting, Mydei was overwhelmingly peculiar. In all the best ways. 

Mydei was cute despite the head-to-toe tattoos that screamed overwise, he was uninviting at first but warm when truly you listened and even though his body could only be a product of discipline, he was incredibly indulgent. 

Indulgence that Phainon found himself following, as Mydei tugged the belt, checking its firm hold. 

Satisfied with Phainon's display of struggle when he attempted to pull his hands apart, Mydei leaned down and pressed his lips to Phainons. 

It wasn’t exactly sweet like their last kiss, but it wasn’t as desperate or heated as their first. 

Phainon let Mydei lead this one, finally opening his mouth for Mydei’s insistent tongue. 

Mydei supported himself above Phainon with one hand, while the other reached back and fumbled to strip his briefs off. 

There was a faint slicking sound that caught Phainon’s attention, but his attempt to look past Mydei’s shoulder was stopped with the tongue prodding at him. 

Phainon’s tied hands weakly held Mydei’s jaw, but Mydei was quick to push them above Phainon’s head, hanging off the edge of the bed. 

He simply let them uselessly flop in the air as he watched Mydei sit back once more, reaching behind himself.  

Though he couldn’t quite see what Mydei was doing, unfortunately, it became apparent that he was opening himself up. 

What was really surprising was the wetness, since Phainon didn’t see lube anywhere. 

And when he tried to lean up to look, Mydei shoved him back down with a hand on his chest. 

As hot as it was, Phainon didn’t like feeling helpless, or rather useless. 

“Mydei…” He started. “I could’ve opened you up on my fingers if you didn’t tie my hands.” 

“Hm,” Mydei grunted, “There’s no need– I’m almost ready.” 

Phainon raised a brow at him, surely he understood that with Phainon’s size he’d need at least a few minutes of stretching himself. 

Just as Phainon was about to object, Mydei pulled a glistening plug out, and opened his nightstand drawer to throw it in. 

Phainon gaped, “Huh..? You had that in… all night?” 

To his credit, Mydei looked sheepish at the question, but stayed quiet as he pulled a bottle of lube out of the same drawer and quickly lathered his hands. 

“Damn… hoped for some action tonight?” 

Mydei didn’t bother responding, only rubbing the warm lube over Phainon’s twitching cock. 

Phainon had never been so hard in his life. Had Mydei really gone out to meet Phainon with a butt plug in? And a fairly decent sized one at that… 

Phainon tilted his head innocently as he taunted Mydei, “Hm? Were you gonna jerk off on your couch? While I slept in the bed you wanted me to fuck you in?” 

“Be quiet,” Mydei bit. “I’m gonna ride you and you’re gonna shut up and take it, okay?” 

Phainon grinned, Mydei’s scowls and growls when he was embarrassed were too cute. 

“You like my voice,” Phainon teased, “You came in my hand when I told you to, such a good–” 

“Shut up,” Mydei warned. 

Phainon was nothing short of amused, but he bit his lip and stopped talking obediently. 

“...good,” Mydei mumbled. 

A small praise, but praise nonetheless. 

Phainon felt his cock jump, needing to be inside Mydei. Luckily, Mydei didn’t seem keen on waiting any further. 

Mydei scooted backwards, just enough to line the head of Phainon’s drooling cock with his hole, before slowly sinking down. 

Despite his eagerness, Mydei wasn’t at all careless with the slow way he eased onto Phainon’s cock. He squirmed at the feeling, taking inch by inch with determination. 

Phainon struggled to keep his hands where Mydei wanted, even more so, he struggled not to grind his hips upwards and meet Mydei halfway. 

Mydei felt too good, soft and hot from warming that plug for hours. The view was too nice as well, Mydei trying to accommodate his entire length with an expression scrunched up in strain. 

Phainon coo’d as Mydei seemed to take a pause, “You got it. Take what you want, pretty boy.” 

Mydei glared down at him, fuck yeah, but otherwise took his motivation with stride. 

Honestly, Phainon had no problem not getting off if it meant that he could keep Mydei on his dick on this. However, seemingly not in agreement, Mydei suddenly exhaled– before slamming his hips down. 

“Fuck—!” They both groaned, Phainon’s hands shot up to grasp Mydei.

Mydei whined, obviously overwhelmed by his own actions. “You’re too–ah, too big.” 

“Too big? Look at you, took every inch greedily.” Phainon corrected with a purr, “Come on, baby. Ride me.” 

Mydei huffed and rolled his eyes, but regardless he still started slowly moving along Phainon’s cock. 

Phainon’s bound hands rested on his stomach, where Mydei’s weeping cock smacked down as he moved. 

He considered being nice and making a warm tunnel for Mydei to rut into, but he’d much rather see him fall apart all on his own. 

Especially since he was already panting and whimpering with each bounce. 

Phainon fought back his own moans, squinting up at Mydei as he tried his hardest to not come too early. He’d been aroused for way too long and Mydei was simply sin incarnate. 

Trying to avoid thinking about Mydei’s breathy groans and Mydei wrapped around his cock, Phainon awkwardly gripped one of Mydei’s thick thighs. 

He studied the way that Mydei’s tattoo’s seemed to be neverending, from his heaving chest all the way down to his muscled legs, Mydei was bathed in red. 

Outlining every curve and sharp line, Mydei was just too arousing. 

“Mydei— I can’t,” Phainon moaned, “I’m close.” 

Fuck, he forgot a condom. Actually, they both did. 

If Mydei noticed as well, it wasn’t an issue, because he just whined at Phainon’s words and nodded. 

But even if Phainon was a little high on dopamine and somehow hadn’t sweat out all the alcohol in his bloodstream, he still had manners. “Mydei, inside? Can I?” 

“Please,” Mydei keened, and Phainon couldn’t stave off his orgasm after hearing that. 

Phainon finally rutted up into Mydei, cumming inside of him in what felt like thick spurts. “..Hah, you too. Mydei, come too.” He panted. 

“Close,” Mydei had stuttered out, swiveling his hips to meet Phainon’s small jerks. 

“Cum on my cock, honey. You can do it.” Phainon crooned, rubbing Mydei’s thigh soothingly. 

When Mydei came, he clenched around Phainon’s oversensitive cock enough to nearly be painful— forcing them both to moan as their orgasms subsided. 

Phainon blinked dumbly, he glanced up at Mydei to see him in a similar state, chest heaving and eyes glazed over. 

Fondly, Phainon smiled at him. Did Mydei get a little hazy everytime? So cute…  

“Mydei.” He called, trying to refocus those sharp eyes on him. “Undo the belt, I’ll take care of you.” 

Mydei frowned, before weakly rasping “...no.” 

“No?” Phainon repeated. “I need to clean you… and pull out.” 

“No. You’ll leave…” Mydei muttered. 

Leave? Where would Phainon even go? Back to his empty apartment with nothing but leftovers and protein shakes in the fridge? A lonely bed without Mydei and his warmth? 

Phainon glanced towards the little analog clock in the corner of the room, he didn’t exactly know when they left the restaurant, but it read nearly 4 A.M. Not to mention, he had no clue where he even was. How could Phainon even leave? 

Laughing to himself, Phainon sat up and placed his tied hands behind Mydei’s head. “Why would I leave? Hm? Where would I go?” 

“I don’t know… Hyacine said not to be disappointed, but I still expected you to stay.” Mydei said, finally meeting his eyes. 

Phainon had to take a second, did he give off one-night stand only vibes? Well, he supposed that he did typically only see people for a night, but that was back in college… Phainon hadn’t really been with anyone like this in… years.

Plus, they hadn’t been Mydei. 

Mydei might just have to kick him out before Phainon willingly leaves… 

“Mydei, I want to stay here with you.” Phainon murmured, gently playing with the red-ish tips of Mydei’s hair. “I wanna clean you and wrap you up in blankets and cuddle until morning, promise.” 

Mydei glared at him suspiciously, kinda like when you offer a stray cat food, “Then what?” 

Phainon had to laugh at the absurdity, he didn’t think anything of it earlier, but Mydei’s hesitance had this same line of questioning. Was Mydei just as nervous? 

At least Phainon’s inhibitions went out the window from the intoxication and he coasted on the same level of confidence throughout the night, but poor Mydei had just been trying his best to stay calm and responsible for both of them. 

Phainon leaned forward, sweetly pressing a kiss to Mydei’s flush cheek, “Well, we’ll do it again.” He whispered, “And again, and again, until you get sick of me.” 

Mydei shook his head, “I don’t want to get sick of you…” He bit his lip, “Cipher said—” 

“Hey, forget what they told you, listen to what I’m telling you.” Phainon said, “I meant it when I said I liked you.” 

Mydei still looked unsure, but Phainon kissed his pouty lips and he sighed. “Okay… but if you leave, I know where you work.” 

Phainon chuckled as he moved his hands between them for Mydei to untie, “I’ll tell you my home address too.” 

Mydei snorted, but he notably didn’t say no. 

After he was finally free, Phainon scooped Mydei up, cleaned them both up in the bathroom, clothed them in whatever of Mydei’s he could find and cuddled around Mydei in his bed. Just like he said he would.

Mydei had fallen asleep almost instantly, obviously exhausted emotionally and physically. Phainon found himself feeling the same, a complete opposite state to what he would normally be in at this time. 

Phainon doubted that he could ever truly leave Mydei. He’d always want to sleep in the same bed, get dinner together (maybe with their friends, occasionally, after he finds out what they’d been telling Mydei), and learn about every one of Mydei’s strengths and weaknesses. 

Because, Mydei was cute and strong and insecure and mean and everything Phainon wanted to lovingly cherish for as long as possible. 

So, falling asleep wrapped around Mydei’s warmth came easy, as easy as wanting him. 

// 

In the morning, just a few hours later, Phainon woke up to his usual phone alarm. It chirped at him long enough for Mydei to groan in annoyance and smack at his arm until he found it tangled in the sheets and turned it off. 

Phainon would’ve woken up and started his day by this point, but last night was a lot and Mydei was a comfortable weight atop him. 

So instead of forcing himself to get up, Phainon did the next most productive thing. 

He swiped to his camera app, snapped a picture of Mydei’s unmistakable blonde and red head resting upon his chest and promptly sent it to the group chat. 

After all, the girls should know how well “Girls Night Out!” went.