Beneath the Sprawling Heavens

      “You’re still rubbing your shoulders?”

      Tom smiled sheepishly as he looked over to Seb. “Yeah...” He worked his fingers into the joint with a bit more force. “I was hoping that the ride over would help.”

      “And yet, here we are.” Seb lifted up onto his knees and then scooted behind Tom. “Alright. Let me take care of you.”

Let me take care of you. Tom smiled at the words and how easily they were given. He shrugged off his jacket and pulled it into his lap. He toyed with the fringes as Seb pulled off his gloves, which he dropped onto the grass beside him. Afterward, Seb slipped his hands onto Tom’s shoulders, but before he could apply any pressure, he felt Tom immediately relax under his palms. He smiled gently before rolling his thumb in different spots until Tom drew in a sharp breath through his teeth.

      “Right there, huh?”

      “Yeah.” Tom laughed tiredly. “Who knew fighting monsters could be so tough?”

      Seb smirked. “Right? To think that the world’s easiest job could be so strenuous.” When Tom laughed, he took that as a chance to apply pressure on the troublesome area. “Breathe deep for me.”

      Tom grimaced but did as he was told.

      “And out.”

      As Tom exhaled, Seb maintained a firm grip as he began to work on the spot. “Keep breathing for me. That’s it. Let me know if it hurts too much.”

      Tom snorted as he inhaled again. “This is nothing,” he replied before letting out the breath again.

      “Of course—not for my big, strong monster hunter.”

      Tom laughed around his discomfort. “Now, you’re just fucking with me.”

      Seb grinned. “Maybe.”

Another laugh, a bit quieter this time, and Tom focused on trying to keep himself relaxed. Thankfully, that happened with time as Seb’s warm hands slowly eased the tension out of him. When Seb felt that the muscles weren’t as tight, he softened his touch and began to show more care along the entirety of Tom’s shoulders. Tom groaned slightly as he tilted his head to look up at the night sky.

The moon was large and bright, and its luminescence only seemed to make the stars around it glow even brighter. Tom traced familiar constellations with his eyes, and a couple brought old stories from his childhood to mind. He almost thought to ask Seb what he thought of when he looked at the looming moon and the twinkling stars, but it was getting harder to think with every blissful second those large fingers pressed into him. Maybe it was better this way not to think, only feel. A smile curved his lips, and he ducked his head again as Seb worked his magic.

      After a few minutes of silence, Seb warmly asked, “Still with me?”

      “Oh yeah,” Tom groaned, and Seb laughed in response. “I might even take a bath after we head back.”

      “Oh, that’s gonna feel so good, hm?”

More pressure, and Tom groaned as he nodded in agreement. After the busy day they both had, he was looking forward to capping off his night with a nice, long, hot bath. Maybe he could even convince Seb to stay with him overnight. The company would be nice... Eventually, when he felt his body turn into putty and all the tension was finally gone, he slumped into his boyfriend’s touch.

      “Thanks, Seb... This really helped.”

      “I’m glad.” Seb moved his hands to gently push Tom’s hair out of the way. He pressed a soft kiss to the nape of Tom’s neck and softly added, “And there’s no need to thank me.”

He then pulled away from Tom to come sit at his side, and Tom reached over to take his hand and squeezed it fondly. Surrounded by the night with only the moon and stars as their witnesses, they gazed at each other. There were a thousand things that they wanted to say, but nothing felt quite right. Seb reached up with his free hand and cupped Tom’s face. Tom smiled. He opened his mouth, paused, and then said what was on his mind anyway,

      “You’re radiant.”

      Seb laughed softly. “Took the words right out of my mouth.”

      “You snooze, you lose.” Tom scooted closer.

      Seb’s brows went up. “So, I shouldn’t hesitate, huh?”

      “Nope.” Even closer. Tom leaned into Seb. “And neither should I.”

Seb ran his thumb along the apple of Tom’s cheek as the space between them closed. Soft lips met pierced ones, both slotting together seamlessly, familiar from hundreds of kisses before, perfect as if they were crafted for each other. Tom leaned more into Seb, just a bit more insistent as he fell into the rhythm of their connection. And Seb welcomed him, always welcomed him. He wrapped an arm around Tom to pull their bodies closer and absorb each other's heat.

When the kiss broke, Tom kissed Seb’s cheek, his nose, and then pecked him on the lips again.

      “Ready to ride?” he asked.

      Seb smiled. “Sure.” He rubbed Tom’s back. “Are you gonna be alright?”

      “So long as you’re here.”

Seb laughed, always charmed by Tom’s candidness but glad to have it in his life. Tom pulled away first and then helped Seb to his feet. He swept down for his jacket, and Seb squeezed his hand in return. Tom laughed before giving him a smile as bright as the moon and as dazzling as the stars.