slowly, isi learned how to properly live with alaric... it was tough, but they made it work. isi stayed in the room with a pull out bed, while alaric, of course stayed in his own room. a room isi already knew a lot about. parts of him wished he could see it again. and sleep on that plush bed again.
but he knew better by now. alaric didn't trust him totally, and isi didn't push him. moments shined through where isi could tell alaric trusted him juuuust a little. and slowly but surely they grew closer over their time spent together; getting back to those giggly conversations, isi being able to sit close with alaric while they watched a movie, and just general comfort.
but one night, alaric stopped isi before he went to bed.
" isi, wait. i was wondering if tonight... you'd come to bed with me?â
the question didn't roll off alaric's tongue easily, isi could tell. but isi still had to take a moment to process the question, and he gave the other a puzzled look. instead, isi took it as a bit of a joke - the wording he used implied anything but innocence.
isi shined a teasing grin, âwhatâs that about? please, alaric, i didnât know you were eyeing me like that ~â
on the outside, isi seemed fine with it. but internally, honestly, he was panicked... he couldnât imagine a night with alaric now; if it did happen, he wouldnât be able to let go so easily.
âthatâs not... what i meant.â alaric couldnât meet isiâs eyes, and he looked as nervous as isi felt.
isiâs grin faded, and he gave alaric a puzzled look. âthen what do you mean, alaric?â
there was a paused, and alaric seemed to be itching to say something. he let out a sigh, rubbed the back of his neck and a smile formed. the softest smile isi has ever seen from alaric in a long time. âi admit it... i miss you ... will you come with me, please ...?â
isi felt every nerve in his body tighten; he didnât want to believe anything alaric just said. he didnât deserve it. but god, he wanted to believe it so bad.
â... donât --â isi started, âthatâs not... fair. youâre cruel, alaric.â tears welled up in isiâs eyes, but he did his best to fight them back.
â isi ... iâm - iâm sorry, i didnât mean --â alaric started, but isi stopped him with a hand up.
âdonât apologize -- i just... i donât deserve you. i donât deserve to be missed by you...â isi sniffled, still trying to keep the tears back.
â isi ...â alaric reached out, pulling one of isiâs hands away from his face. but alaric didnât look at isiâs face to give him the privacy he desired - instead, alaric gently pulled the other forward. âcâmon... letâs go to bed, okay?â alaricâs request was so soft, and so sweet, isi couldnât resist.
isi wiped away any remaining tears once he got to alaricâs room. thankfully, it looked just the same as he remembered it... which means there were no signs of others having been there... thank god. still, this felt like foreign territory all over again. isi felt like he shouldnât be here, like he didnât know where he was, but at the same time it was all very familiar.
alaric nudged isi towards the bed, and isi didnât fight it. the second he let his body hit the bed, he was in bliss. sure, that pull out couch in the spare room was more comfortable than anything he had before. but alaricâs bed was a thing of beauty, and isi always loved it. all the of the tension and anxiety melted away as isi relaxed into the bed; he didnât even realize he was smiling until alaric pointed it out --
âfinally, youâre smiling... iâm glad to see you still like my bed the best.â
the smile quickly disappeared to be replaced with an embarrassed look faced at alaric.
âs-shut up ...â isi muttered.
and alaric just laughed, shedding his shirt and climbing into the bed.
isi had seen alaric shirtless numerous of times; heâd seen those countless scars and intricate tattoos many more times as well. it was a habit of alaricâs to just... lose it throughout the day - something about being overheated... Â but something about this time, made isiâs face flush pink. was it because they werenât a couple anymore, but here isi was in his bed? whatever the case, he just hoped he could get that heat to go down in his face... and his pants.
isi looked to alaricâs face to find such a soft expression, leaving isi more confused about all this.
âalaric, really, why are you doing this?â
âi-inviting me to bed, when you have no intentions of doing it with me, and when i have a bed of my own. you donât need to be crowded with me in bed with --â
âisi ... stop. youâre thinking too hard about this -- i really did just... miss you. i miss how warm it is with you beside me. will you please stay even if thatâs my only reason?â
the look in alaricâs eyes almost hurt isi, they were so soft and warm.
alaricâs smile seemed to brighten even more, âthank you.â
â... i missed you too ...â isi mumbled.
and with that, alaric pulled isi closer, clearly very happy to have heard that.
âthank you, isi. now, get some sleep okay?â
isi almost pushed alaric off... but instead, he relaxed into alaric, wrapping his arms around his waist and leaning his head into his chest. he really did miss this feeling; this feeling of being safe and warm in alaricâs arms. and they both drifted off quietly for the night.
the next morning, however, when isi finally realized... he felt tense. like he'd done something wrong. or that he shouldn't be here. carefully, he weaved himself out of their tangled limbs, trying his best not to wake alaric. once he was free, isi could see alaric's peaceful, sleeping face. god, he was gorgeous. isi couldn't help but stare for a second, and he smiled softly. isi gently pushed the strands of red hair away from the other face. and on pure impulse, isi planted a very chaste kiss to alaric's lips. instantly realizing what he'd done, isi went to make his escape.
just as he about to get off the bed, he felt the pull of strong arms yank him back in and he felt his head hit a strong chest.
" running away so soon? how cruel."
isi looked up to see alaric completely awake with a sly grin on his face.
" have ... have you been awake this whole time?" isi asked in a mild panic.
"not completely. you know me, always sleep with one eye open. and thankfully... i got feel that kiss just now. but you really think i'll let you escape with just that?" alaric raised a brow at the very embarrassed isi.
isi looked away to hide his beet red face. he knew he shouldn't have done that.
" what kiss? i don't know what you're talking about?" he mumbled, looking away, trying to get off the subject.
alaric laughed and gently squeezed his arms around isiâs torso tighter.
âam i allowed to ask for a real one?â there was genuine curiosity in alaricâs voice. and isiâs face felt like it was on fire. he didnât really know what was happening... how all of this escalated.
isi turned his head to look at alaric; he was greeted with that stupid blushy grin and that stupid soft look in his eyes. and that made it harder for isi to resist wanting to kiss him... that resistance was shortly lived, however, and isi finally turned to give alaric what he wanted.
the kiss was more official, sweeter, and deeper. god, isi missed this. he missed it so much. and it felt so good.
isi broke away when he finally lost his breath. but alaric went in for another quick kiss before pulling away just enough to give isi room to breathe.
â god, i missed that so much. i missed you more than i thought i did...â alaric breathlessly admitted, stroking the side of isiâs face with his hand.
isi felt tears threaten to make their way back. those words kept getting to him. he didnât deserve alaric... not after what heâd done.
alaric noticed the tremble in isiâs expressions and tried to remedy it with another quick kiss on the lips. âdonât cry, isi. thereâs nothing to be crying over --â
but that just made it harder for isi to fight them finally. âbut i donât deserve you ... i donât deserve your love.â isi choked out between flowing tears.
âisi ... isi, thatâs not true.â alaric readjusted isi so he was sitting in his lap more on the bed and alaric could try and see him better.
isi kept trying to wipe the tears away and get them to stop but he couldnât. all he could do was sob.
âhey, câmon, isi ... look at me.â alaric gently pulled isiâs hands away from his face and tried to get isi to look directly at him. âlook here, isi.â
alaric was patient for isi to finally look at him through tear pooled eyes. he looked something like a sad puppy in that moment.
âisi, what happened before... has already happened. i was hurt for a long time... even i doubted if iâd ever trust you again,â alaric looked away briefly, but his eyes met isiâs once more right away. âbut after spending this time with you, and seeing your dedication towards me... i fell in love with you all over again, for whole new reasons. i loved finally getting to see the real you, isi.â
the pools in isiâs eyes got worse and the tears started to flow once more. all alaric could do was sigh, and smile at the other. he did feel bad, however, that he was the cause of isiâs tears.
âyou ... you really love me?â isi choked through his tears, still trying his best to wipe them away.
isi saw alaric nod, âyes, i really do, isi.â
rather than let the tears keep going, isi snuggled himself closer into alaricâs chest and he took a deep breath. hearing alaricâs heartbeat put isi at ease somehow; made him realize that all this was real... that alaric was actually telling him this and was true with every word.
â i love you too, though...â isi admitted, sniffling as he calmed himself down. âi never stopped loving you, really. i know what i did was wrong, but i still loved you ...â
alaric wrapped his arms around isi in a hug and gave him a kiss on the head, âi know. itâs okay, isi... itâs over with. we move forward from here, okay?â
isi nodded in agreement, cuddling himself into alaric even more.
there was a brief moment of silence before alaric spoke again.
ânow then... i think iâve made you cry enough in the past 12 hours or so ... now, i need to bring that smile back!â
isi looked at alaric with a confused look, but alaric had a grin on his face. instantly, isi had a feeling he knew what he meant.
âwhat -- alaric.. donât you dare -- donât!â
but it was too late. alaric already had his hands around isiâs torso, and began his assault of tickles.
isi squirmed trying to get away, playfully hitting alaric away amidst his giggles.
âalaric, sto-op !â despite his pleas isi didnât try very hard to get away, and only kept laughing harder.
for a second, isi found his window to escape. but alaric was always too quick for him, and isi found himself yanked back into bed on his back with alaric over him still tickling him and blowing raspberries into his neck.
âokay, stop, stop, seriously ~ my face hurts from laughing so much.â
alaric looked down at the other with a bright smile, âat least i finally got you to laugh ~ i love your laugh, itâs cute.â
isi teasingly hit alaric in the chest, and alaric just laughed.
âitâs not cute... and you used dirty tricks! you know my sensitive spots too well.â
alaric simply grinned, because isi definitely was not wrong. alaric remembered almost every inch of isiâs body, he knew how to get to him.
âdonât give me that dumb grin, you cheese.â isi teased with a smile. even so, he couldnât deny that silly face. and not that isi was one to talk; he could feel his cheeks still hurting from smiling so much still.
there was a pause of silence, comfortable silence, as isi took in more of alaricâs features. he ran a free hand over a small scar under alaricâs eye... it was small enough to not be noticed unless you were as close as isi was right now. and it was certainly not there when they were together before... alaric then leaned into the touch, turning to kiss isiâs palm.
âwhat happened there?â isi asked out of curiosity. but alaric just shrugged it off.
ânothing major, just a disagreement. the other party had a mean right hook, and it was a cheap shot.â he laughed lightly, feeling a little embarrassed to have been bested by a cheap shot to the face.
out of impulse, isi sat up just enough to give the scar a kiss. honestly, he hated seeing alaric with all those scars. but itâs not like either of them didnât know the risks of their world.
âdonât go getting anymore scars on your face, itâll ruin your image and i donât know how much iâd love you after that ~â isi teased, stroking alaricâs cheek with his hand. alaric knew isi was only teasing but he still gave a pout.
ânow thatâs just mean, isi.â alaric huffed but isi just smiled since he knew alaric wasnât taking him seriously anyways.
as a way to make up for his teasing comment, isi gave alaric a quick kiss on the lips, âthere. does that make it all better?â
alaric took a moment to feign thought about it. âmm, i donât know. a measly kiss like that? i think i need a better one.â
âthen come get one ~â isi tempted, knowing full well alaric wouldnât resist - couldnât resist.
and sure enough, alaric didnât resist going in for a passionate kiss with the other. god, isi could never get enough of that, truly. alaric quickly switched gears and began peppering kisses all over isiâs face and neck - earning soft giggles from the other. but isi ... had another thought in mind.
he pushed alaric away for a brief moment, âdo you ... have any work today?â isi tried not to look to expectant for a âNoâ, but it was harder than he thought. Â thankfully, alaric gave him the very answer he was looking for; he shook his head giving isi a kiss on the cheek as an answer.
âthen ... youâve already made me smile... now thereâs something else you need to make up for --â isi started, wrapping his arms around alaricâs neck to bring him a little closer. alaric looked at isi a little surprised by the statement, he had a feeling he knew what isi meant - but the second he felt a knee brush against his crotch, he buckled and knew exactly what isi meant now.
isi flashed a sly grin as he felt something he didnât really expect to feel just yet. âsomeoneâs already a little excited ~ how nice ~â isi chimed, teasing alaricâs crotch with his knee once more to get a stifled grunt out of alaric.
âisi --â alaric huffed, trying to keep himself composed. part of him might have known this was coming, but he didnât plan on isi finding out heâd been half excited the whole morning. ânow youâre the one playing dirty here --â
isi just hummed, clearly pleased with himself. he liked seeing alaric squirm a little bit. âwell, then what are you going to do about it?â isi taunted, inviting alaric to make the next move.
alaric had to take in a deep breathe to bring himself together as he sat up on his knees over the other and pushing his back from his face. there was a heat in his eyes that isi thrived on, made him even more excited.
âwell, câmon already, alaric ~â isi taunted him once more just to send him over the edge completely.
and thankfully, alaric took isi over the edge with him.
[FUC K IT I CANâT DO THE DETAILS IâM NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THIS]
the rest of their day was spent in the bed, making a mess out of each other. they had a lot of lost time to make up for - that was their excuse for it. it was already getting dark out when isi slowly woke himself up; his back flush against alaric chest, and alaricâs nose buried in his neck. both of them had more than their fair share of red bite marks and hickeys... and that was just above the waist, isi didnât need to see to know how many bruises he might have below the waist. the room almost reeked of sweat and sex, but isi didnât seem to mind it. he felt it was his way of marking his territory, in a way.
once more awake, isi did his best to face alaric without waking him up. but unfortunately that wasnât possible. alaric stirred before opening his eyes to see isi right in front of him, and he smiled softly - albeit a little bit tired too.
â hello there ~â isi chimed quietly, reaching out to push some of alaricâs hair away from his face. alaric hummed contently, relishing in isiâs touch.
âwe should get up... wash your sheets... and iâm hungry.â isi suggested. as much as heâd love to stay in bed the rest of the night, he knew this bed should not be slept in any longer. alaric quietly nodded, turning over to get up while yawning out an âokayâ. isi went to do the same, feeling confident his legs would still hold him - but clearly, that was nothing but false confidence. the second isi tried to stand from the bed, his knees gave out from under him and he found himself on the ground. he was sore, that was a given, but he didnât realize just how well alaric had done him. alaric, watching all of this unfold, quietly laughed. heâd be lying if he said he wasnât proud of himself for that, honestly.
isi shot him a bit of a glare, âdonât laugh at me, this is your fault... and your dicks fault...â
alaric went over to isiâs side of the bed, âyouâre the one who asked for it though, you know.â
alaric lifted the other like he was nothing, carrying him to the bathroom to clean up a little more. isi suggested the shower over the bath, using his hunger as his ultimate reason. and it gave alaric an excuse to stay close to the other, keeping him up during their shared shower. it also gave isi a chance to notice just how much he scratched alaric up. he tried to apologize but alaric just laughed it off and told him it was fine. but truthfully, isi loved seeing all those bruises and scratches. they were his, they were made by him... it made alaric really seem like he belonged to isi now, and, honestly, that put him at ease.
after their shower, all isi wanted to wear was one of alaricâs baggy sweaters, and alaric happily obliged - throwing the excessive sweater over isi. alaric went back to sporting sweatpants without a shirt - probably to keep showing off all those bruises. from there, alaric took isi to the couch while he made the two of them some food. isi watched the whole the time from his spot on the couch -- he could see just enough of alaricâs back and enjoy himself watching it.
the rest of their night was spent with alaric cleaning up their bed now, and spoiling isi rotten. part of isi still didnât feel he deserved it, but he relished in the spoiling, regardless. later in the night, isi snuggled up close to alaric in the bed full of food and happiness - alaric, the same.
âi love you, alaric.â isi said quietly against alaricâs chest.
alaric squeezed him close, kissing the top of his head, âi love you too, isi.â
the two drifted off to sleep quietly. and isi couldnât wait to wake up to alaric in the morning.