alone together

Two figures whisked by a dim store on a brisk autumn night. The sky was starless, covered in a thick haze of gray that seemed to loom over the figures. It was getting late, far too late for Peony's liking, but he had the confidence of his partner by his side. Fabric grazing his hip every few steps was his only comfort as they paced yet another cracked sidewalk. He longed to embrace the stocky florian. They were hoping to catch a bus, but missed it by minutes, and neither of them were eager to call an Uber after reading horrific stories. So they traveled in uneasy silence. Leaves crinkling underfoot was enough to send a chill down his spine. Well, that plus the dropping temperature. Brr.

A gasp escaped Peony's lips as Viscare tugged his small off white paws into his own comically large brown ones, fingers locking neatly together. A blush deepened across his fuzzy face as he relished in the feeling, gradually noticing his paw pads heating up with a sly smirk. Gosh he wanted to pull him into a hug so badly, hold him until they were home, fall asleep in the crook of his arm. But it didn't feel appropriate, at least not at the moment in this tense situation. He raised his chin, grinning. Viscare didn't return the gesture. The other's face was stern, cobalt eyes heavy with exhaustion.

" I think we're almost there, I'm tired of this thing changing fucking routes," he sneered at his phone, squeezing Peony's paw tighter.

" Maybe we should take a break, I don't want you to stress over it! There's a bench on the other side of the street, wanna sit there for a bit?"

Viscare hesitated, then nodded, " As long as you think it's safe. I don't trust anyone."

They crossed the road in ominous silence. It certainly wasn't busy, which made the couple feel a bit better, but his curvy tail refused to stop twitching. A sign that typically meant impending conflict. There was a voice at the back of his mind demanding him to return home .. but his aching body declared otherwise. The bench was situated at the edge of a fractured sidewalk in a patch of grass, its glossy black exterior illuminated by a single street lamp. Within the lamp a golden bulb was festering with moths. Unease plagued the dark feline. He found himself glancing up or over his shoulder every step of the way. When they moved onto the pale concrete his paranoia peaked.

" You know what, maybe we should keep moving. How much farther is it anyways?"

His partner stiffened, releasing his grip, " You're the one that suggested it in the first place! What's the problem now?"

" It's nothing! Um, it's something," he glanced down, frowning, " Do I really have to say it?"

Viscare peered down at him with a bewildered expression. His broad reptilian tail was lashing with mild annoyance, on the verge of dragging against the filthy ground again. Truthfully, his legs ached too, and the other's suggestion seemed long overdue. Icy blue eyes darted to the bench. It was incredibly inviting, mere steps away. They'd been trudging onward all day, slouching across the metal frame would feel like heaven.

" Yeah, you do, because I'm exhausted. My feet hurt, my legs hurt, my tail hurts. Everything hurts. So spit it out, alright?"

The feline's rosy ears folded back against his head with sorrow. He glanced up into the other's eyes, and Viscare's menacing composure dropped.

" I'm scared, okay? I'm really scared. I'm not used to being out this late, and I keep hearing noises, and I'm afraid that I could lose you of we stick around."

Bright red flooded his round eyes. The smaller feline was nearly knocked backwards from the weight of the contact. Suave petals caressed his snout from either side and a firm pressure warmed his back, which arched to accommodate his boyfriend's broad arms. It felt so good to hold someone this warm. He leaned forward, inhaling the floral scent with a coy smile that made Viscare's frustration fade away. Back home he fell asleep with his face resting between the other's plush petals so often that the feeling had become a comfort to drown out his worries. This felt like home.

But it wasn't. It was a dingy street. His partner pulled back.

" God I didn't mean to say it like that, I'm sorry for being snappy. And eh? Don't worry about me! I can take on just about anything! Aside from seeing you upset. Don't look at me like that again, kay' babe? I don't know if my heart could take it," Viscare huffed, eyes glossy.

" Oh there's no need to apologize, we're both tired, I feel you! I'm not upset. I feel a little better, actually. Wait, are you about to cry dude? Viscare .. !?"

He was yanked against the other's body again and shaken up as strained sobs wracked through his lover's chest. The tom sighed, embracing him and rubbing a paw across his back. Viscare tried to be such a tough guy towards strangers that sometimes his remarks popped up out of nowhere when they were alone together. It wasn't meant to be hateful and both of them were well aware, but he was so rough on himself when it happened. There was nothing Peony could do but comfort him; though he really wished Viscare wasn't so harsh on himself in the first place. Standing like this was getting awkward. Plus the other's arms were slowly squeezing the breath out of him.

" I'm sorry," the voice murmured weakly against his face.

" It's really okay, please don't worry about it," his voice was shaky, " It's okay, I don't care! We can even sit on the bench if you'd like. You're just tired is all."

Viscare huffed, releasing him and sulking over to the bench. Peony scrambled after the taller figure with a puzzled expression and took a seat beside him. He winced. The metal frame was freezing against his rear. Within moments his entire body began to shiver, his teeth quietly chattering. Without a word the other slipped one arm underneath his backside and another against his shoulders and hefted him into his lap. Peony peered up with a broad smile, snuggling into his legs' warmth with a sigh of contentment. Ivory paws clung to Viscare's chest pocket.

He snorted with a simper, " Try to stay awake, we can't stay here overnight."

Peony nodded, resting his head on the other's arm. It was a struggle to keep his eyes open. Occasionally he'd drift into sleep-limbo only for the other's previous words to cause his eyes to shoot back open. After a few minutes of Viscare stroking his head fur he succumbed to his exhaustion, falling limp in his boyfriend's embrace.

" Alright, time to get moving."

No response.

" Peony?"

He nudged the fatigued cat, eyes widening. The other's eyes were shut. His breathing was heavier ( phew, he's not dead ) and Viscare was in disbelief. He was often restless back home, their trek must've seriously drained him. His boyfriend sighed. He'd feel horrible waking him up just to make him walk another five blocks. After a moment of thought Viscare slipped his paws underneath the other and stood up with a huff, Peony snoozing in his arms. He was heavier than he looked. Dammit!

After a bit of stumbling he managed to walk with Peony in his arms. He looked down and smiled.

Peony woke up in bed with a confused glance around the room.

" How did I end up here .. ?"

He slowly regained memories of the night before and couldn't believe it. There was no way. Viscare's arms tightened around his midsection and inadvertently pushed his shirt up. The tomcat watched his partner shuffle with a drowsy smirk. Even though he was baking from the other's body heat, he wrapped an arm around his back and dozed off with his face resting against Viscare's rising chest.