(so apparently this tumblr is 7 years today - like what?! - and to celebrate, I wanted to share a snippet of something I was/maybe am? working on)
When Kirk is woken up, it takes him a moment to realize why. When he does, he frowns, pulling on his protective goggles as he gets up and follows the voices - voices, out of which one is not supposed to be back. Not any time soon at least. He holds his breath as he steps out of the room, the lights dimmed to a point where they almost wouldn’t hurt Kirk’s eyes - something curious and something tells Kirk he should pay more attention to that, but he doesn’t. Not until he gets in the main room and sees her. Bekka, back in all her glory - or even more.
There is still something off, something pushing at the back of Kirk’s mind, but maybe it’s just the fact he woke up recently - that is, until Bekka turns around and looks at him, a kind smile marking her face. Her face that looks older, more tense and her eyes that speak volumes. In a different way they did before they said their goodbye. In a different way than they should in the two days they didn’t see each other.
Kirk blinks, wondering if this is something to do with Luthor - is it possible Bekka time traveled when she used the boon in her sword? No that isn’t that, Kirk is sure. He has seen Bekka use it a lot of times in the past - and none of these changes ever happened. He’s also sure there is not that much of a time difference between Earth and where Bekka traveled, so… it’s confusing.
“Kirk, good morning.” Her voice sounds different too. A bit more worn out, a bit more tired and Kirk opens and closes his mouth for a second, before he nods.
“Morning, Bekka.” He says, stepping further into the room. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon.” He continues, eyes trained on the woman. Bekka’s heart is beating evenly and she shakes her head.
“I know I usually don’t disturb you lovebirds this early, but the hit you took yesterday was really nasty.” She points out, turning to him fully and running her eyes over Kirk’s frame.
Kirk… doesn’t remember being hit extra hard. He remembers his heart breaking a bit when Bekka left, then he remembers sitting with Hernan and listening to the man’s hopes for the future and he remembers making his own plans on making sure he could help create Hernan’s vision. They were closed at the tower, with no enemies - and surely nothing Bekka could see.
He blames his confusion and his racing mind for him not being aware of the presence behind him until a hand slips into Kirk’s hair, fingers brushing over his scalp lightly and Kirk fights the need to close his eyes.
It’s Hernan - and once Kirk knows the other man is close, he can’t stop but be aware of him. Of the strength behind the relaxed muscles, of the warmth seeping from Hernan’s body - something that Kirk always appreciated, because his own body felt so dreadfully cold ever since back then.
“It was.” The man agrees and steps closer, his front pressing against Kirk’s back as his arms slip around Krik’s waist, resting his head against Kirk’s shoulder. “You need to pay more attention next time - if Bekka wasn’t there, I would’ve lost it.” Hernan’s words are quiet, serious, almost desperate, the arms around him tightening for a second, and Kirk’s hand comes back before he can think about it, patting Hernan’s arm, trying to reassure him.
“I’m okay.” He promises, even though that doesn’t seem to be completely true. There is something going on, something that Kirk’s mind yells at him to pay more attention to, but that’s a hard thing to do when he’s being held as he is by Hernan.
Bekka’s scoff makes Kirk lift his gaze to her again, just in time to see her roll her eyes.
“Oh trust me. What you did with the guy? I’m pretty sure you did lose it.” She points out, arms crossing over her chest, lifting an eyebrow at Hernan.
“At least I didn’t tear him limb for limb.” Hernan growls and Bekka shakes her head, before stepping closer and pulling Kirk out of Hernan’s arms to look him over herself. For a moment it seems like Hernan won’t let him go, but then he does, though he still keeps a hand on Kirk’s lower back - to ground himself or Kirk, Kirk has no idea.
“I’m not sure if that counts as you didn’t leave too much of him.” Bekka says once she’s content and steps back, and Kirk finally turns to look at the other man.
“Just what did you-oh.” He blinks, taking Hernan in. It’s not just Bekka that changed. Hernan did too, there are lines on his face that weren’t there before and the haircut is not something Kirk remembers.
He blinks again, looking between the two of them before he nods lightly.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/?
Fandom: Justice League: Gods and Monsters (2015)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Hernan Guerra/Kirk Langstrom
Characters: Hernan Guerra, Kirk Langstrom
Additional Tags: Short ficlets, blink and you miss it - Freeform, first meeting AUish, Kirk's teeth are very sharp, even for a superman, yep, messing up canon
Summary:
It’s a man – or perhaps not just a man. One of Hernan’s hands closes around the man’s neck, his grasp tightening more and more in warning until the man stops snarling and fighting against him. The guy is glaring up at him, his eyes red like blood and when Hernan lifts his other hand to peel back his top lip, he twists and jumps, his teeth closing mere inches away from Hernan’s fingers. It’s thanks to his reflexes and his inhuman speed that his hand’s still whole. But still - it was just a second, but Hernan saw it anyway. Those fangs.
So no, not just a man.
Something more. The guy twitches again and he must’ve gotten some of his bravery - or foolishness - back, because his hands clutch at Hernan’s arm, fingers digging into his skin. Hernan’s eyes narrow and he squeezes the hand on guy’s neck again, until the creature under him is gasping, the eyes roll back in its skull and the hands fall from Hernan’s sleeve. Only then does he allow his grip to loosen and he stands up, looking over the body that’s clothed in shredded, bloodied shirt.
I m glad you came back with another mini headcanon. I love it :3
Awww thank you so much! It’s really awesome to hear that you liked it <3 I’m seriously grinning like a fool on my screen now. I’m glad I came back with a mini headcanon too, since I love these two, but I’m always worried I don’t do them justice. So thank you so much for this <3
Hernan doesn’t notice right away. Maybe it’s because Kirk doesn’t shy away, doesn’t twitch and pull away from his touch. It’s only after the whole thing is over, after Kirk lost most of what he still had in this world, that Hernan gets the first glimpses.
There is no funeral - there are no bodies to bury after all - Kirk’s face set in stone, his eyes hidden behind the red glasses of his Batman uniform as he opens the small urn and lets its contents out. He doesn’t say anything. Instead he watches as what’s left of what was his best friend at one point gets snatched up by the wind, before getting lost forever.
Hernan doesn’t notice until Bekka steps forwards, touches Kirk’s shoulder and Kirk tenses, one of his fangs slipping through his bottom lip, tearing at it. It’s gone as soon as it appears though, and if Bekka noticed the way Kirk’s muscles pull she doesn’t say anything. Hernan doesn’t think much about it either - it ought to be the stress, the sadness and mourning Kirk’s going through.
The mourning is one of the reasons they don’t tell him about Bekka leaving, not yet. She’s still getting things ready, still unsure herself - Hernan can see it in her eyes, what needs to be done battling with what she wants to do and Hernan tells her she doesn’t have to do anything, that she has time.
He wouldn’t even care if Bekka didn’t go at all. It doesn’t matter, it’s not their world, not their home. Only Bekka is a warrior, one full of pride and she won’t be able to let it go, Hernan knows. So he waits until she’s ready, until she steps to him with her eyes half-doubtful and Hernan knows that expression way too well.
He opens his arms, lets her come to him, before closing them around her not really fragile body.
“You’ll do well.” He says, his voice calm and strong like always. Bekka might’ve doubts about this journey she decided to take, but Hernan doesn’t doubt her. She always comes on top, always figures out what to do, always finds maybe not the least violent outcome, but still a satisfactory one.
Bekka doesn’t say anything. She just pulls away, leveling him with the gaze and for a moment Hernan wonders if she really needed him to do anything. Then she smiles, small and secretive.
“So. Just you and Kirk, hm?” Her words are enough of a hint of what she plans to do, but there’s a playful glint in her eyes and Hernan knows all’s going to be alright. She’ll come back - at her own time.
“Think I stand a chance?”
Her arms cross over her chest and she raises an eyebrow.
“He can do so much better.” Hernan laughs, but Bekka smirks. “Though there is no one better at this Earth, so I think you’ll have to do.”
Hernan’s not sure he could get bigger blessing from her if he tried - he’s not sure if there even is bigger blessing from Bekka - so he mirrors her smirk, satisfied.
He knows they should tell Kirk then - the three of them live in their own world, are as close as they are apart, but they are still something resembling… friends. Family. They are all Kirk’s got left, and it doesn’t feel right keeping it from him. And yet, Hernan can’t force himself to tell him Bekka’s leaving them too. He knows he will regret it - not giving Kirk enough time to get used to it might be the wrong decision, but still Hernan talks about all but that when the two of them are in the tower alone.
Kirk’s quieter than Hernan knows him to be, but he doesn’t force the other to open up, to talk. Hernan would listen, but even for that, Kirk needs his own pace.
It’s interesting to see Lane changing her tune. Where they were monsters not two days ago, now they are heroes, the defenders of the Earth.
“I just thank heavens they were her to protect us.” Hernan snorts and turns off the TV.
“Next, she’ll be sending you selfies.” Kirk chimes up from where he’s standing, fingers running over the screen of whatever he’s reading right now. Hernan wouldn’t be against Lane’s selfies - she is a good looking woman, but Hernan doesn’t think he’d be able to give her more than the appreciation. Not when he has Kirk this close to him.
“I’ve been thinking, Kirk.” Hernan says, leaning a bit back to glance over at Kirk. “We need to shake things up a bit. Change the way we do things.” Change the way they are trying to get what they wanted - in all areas. “No more politics. No more killing.”
Kirk’s attention focuses on Hernan on that.
“Seriously?” He sounds almost disappointed and Hernan has to fight off the chuckle that’s threatening to spill from his throat.
“Something to think about.” He offers, the turns his head when the door slide open, Bekka walking through. Oh. “Is it time already?”
Kirk gets rid of the screen and glances between the two of them.
“What’s going on?” He asks, sounding just a bit confused. Not that Hernan can’t blame him.
“Our beautiful Bekka is leaving us.” Hernan smiles.
“Why?” Kirk’s frowning as Bekka is explaining, but Hernan’s not really listening. He knows her reasons already. Instead, he’s looking at Bekka, doing his best to carve her into his memory just as she is right now. She will come back changed, she won’t be the same, Hernan knows, but he wants this moment, this memory where the three of them were… content if not happy to last. At least in his mind.
Hernan’s aware of their conversation, somewhere at the back of his mind, he knows he told Bekka to come to him if there are any problems at all. He welcomes the small press of lips against his cheek, before the woman moves to Kirk, hugging him close.
The smaller man tenses, fingers twitching on his sides, before he lifts his arms, hugging Bekka back awkwardly, a small grimace appears on his lips for a second so short, that Hernan is sure he would’ve missed it completely if he wasn’t so focused on the two of them.
He doesn’t have too much time to think about it however, because Lex’s already opening the portal and even though he knows about Bekka leaving for some time now, seeing her step through and the portal close… the quiet that follows is deafening.
“Looks like it’s gonna be just the two of us.” Bekka’s words come back to him as Hernan smiles over at Kirk, who squirms under his look.
“Should I order out?”
And just with that, the sad spell Hernan wasn’t even aware of is broken.
“Why don’t we get started?” He asks, his arm slipping over Kirk’s shoulder, pulling the other closer to him.
There is a moment of hesitation, a tension of the other’s muscles, before Kirk relaxes, leaning into Hernan’s side just a bit.
“I could use a science project.” Kirk says quietly, carefully as if he’s trying to make the words have meaning once again. Hernan feels it somewhere above his heart, and he’s sure Kirk has to as well, so he squeezes Kirk’s shoulder.
“Time to look ahead, Kirk. You know what they say.” Hernan waits until Kirk glances at him and smirks. “The past is like another planet.”
The other is quiet for the tiniest moment.
“I’m pretty sure no one says that.”
Hernan laughs, leaning closer and pressing their heads together for a moment, needing to feel the closeness and pretending he doesn’t notice the way Kirk’s breath hitches in his chest.
“Well, they should.” He teases, walking close to Kirk. The man’s not pulling away, doesn’t look uncomfortable in any way and for a moment Hernan wonders if maybe he just read the situation with Bekka wrong.
He doesn’t.
It’s a bit easier noticing now when Hernan knows the signs he should be looking for, and when they are out there more often. It’s all to Hernan’s plan of getting rid of the politics, trying to start anew. Be a part of the planet instead of being closed off from the world they are trying to protect. Fighting for the little guy instead of making deals with the government. It’s that that forces them out there more, forces them to act and protect. It’s that that forces them to take invitation to one of Lane’s real life interviews.
Hernan didn’t think it would be a problem when he accepted in the name of both of them, but when he tells Kirk, his mouth pinches.
“I think you alone would be much better as the face of the new League.” His voice is quiet, even, not even looking up from whatever he’s busy with this time.
They are still the League. Even though they are only two now, the third space is still saved up for Bekka when she comes back. Because they both know she will come back, it’ll just take a little time.
“You’re just as much a part of this as I am.” Hernan says, his hand slipping to Kirk’s chin, tipping his head up a little. Kirk’s eyes are hidden behind those red glasses of his, but he’s still very obviously unhappy with the little crease in between his eyebrows, and Hernan’s not sure he ever saw anything more adorable in his life.
Bekka wouldn’t let him live that down.
Though maybe he should get used to the idea of Bekka not letting him live things down if things will go down the way Hernan hopes.
“So, you two ready?” Lane asks, slipping in between the two of them forcing Hernan to let go of Kirk and putting her hand on their shoulders. Hernan wouldn’t notice the tightening of Kirk’s muscles, the way his jaw clenches if he still wasn’t staring at him. But once he does notice, he can’t tear his eyes from Kirk for the whole interview. The way he twitches whenever Lane leans a bit too close, the way he tenses when she touches his arm. The way he freezes when an asistent comes to them during the break to ask if they need anything.
Hernan thinks back to the funeral and Bekka and frowns.
He doesn’t know when it started, but once Hernan sees it, he can’t unsee.
It’s the way Kirk makes sure not to walk too close to anyone when they do go out there. It’s the way he moves closer to Hernan if there is a gathering of people. It’s the way he smiles politely at Hernan’s family, but still makes sure to step a bit further away from his sister when they are talking at the wall, watching Hernan, thinking he doesn’t see them.
He’s not the only one who notices either, because later, the wheelchair stops next to him and Valentina looks up at him.
“You know, you have to be patient with him.” She says, her voice quiet, with a touch of protectiveness and the wisdom that only she possesses and Hernan feels happy and proud. She already accepted Kirk just as much as he has.
“I know.” He mutters and looks to where Kirk’s too busy talking to his niece.
“Do I want to know what happened to him?” She asks and Hernan’s quiet for a moment, wondering if he should explain, if it’s his place. But she would find out sooner or later anyway.
“He lost everything. For a second time now.” He doesn’t expect his sister to say anything - and she doesn’t. Instead she squeezes Hernan’s hand as firmly as she can, and forces Kirk to take more of the cake before they go.
As they leave, Hernan can’t stop his arm from curling around Krik’s shoulder. Kirk freezes for a second, before he relaxes into Hernan’s side.
“Are we walking back then?” He asks, his voice as quiet as always and Hernan smiles down at him.
“We can walk for now. After all, we’re not in any hurry, are we?”
Kirk’s eyes are on him in that moment and Hernan’s reminded how it feels, having Kirk’s undivided attention. It’s overwhelming, being the centre of Kirk’s world, even if just for a moment and Hernan’s breath catches in his chest. It’s like he’s a prisoner in Kirk’s eyes.
“No. I guess we’re not.” Kirk mutters, tearing his eyes away from Hernan.
And Hernan really hopes it’s not just him imagining it, when he feels Kirk lean into his side more.
I love your stuff okay I’m in love with it all of it literally keep up the good work honestly. I love all of this
First sorry for the late reply. Second, thank you so much, you don’t know how excited and happy your words made me. It’s... overwhelming to know someone is still reading me <3
Ever since Kirk’s become a vampire, feeling his heart is difficult. He’s almost sure he doesn’t even have one, maybe he lost it with his humanity, something that he lets slip in front of Hernan when he’s working in the lab and his mind is elsewhere. He doesn’t see Hernan frowning when he leaves.
Maybe he should’ve, because then he would be able to prepare himself for the ambush waiting for him outside the lab (at least Hernan waited patiently this time).
The wall is hard against his back, as hard as Hernan’s chest that’s pressing into his own, as hard as the kiss that’s planted on Kirk’s lips. Kirk can see Hernan pulling his goggles off, his fingers slipping into Kirk’s hair, pulling lightly and Kirk gasps out, mouth opening, allowing Hernan’s tongue entrance.
He tries to push at Hernan’s chest - Bekka is supposed to come home soon and she’s already teasing him enough. Especially since Hernan’s helping her on that front - but Hernan’s like a rock. Not moving an inch. Instead a leg slips between Kirk’s own, as Hernan takes his mouth again and again, licking at Kirk’s own tongue, trying to get him to participate.
Soon Kirk forgets all about Bekka and kisses back.
Kirk’s not sure how long he’s on Hernan’s mercy. He just know that when the man pulls back, Kirk’s gasping, his whole body trembling. Hernan presses his hand against Kirk’s chest, over his fluttering heart.
“Can you feel it racing? You have your heart.”
You have your humanity, Hernan’s eyes add and Kirk bites his lip, before his hand jumps out, pulling Hernan closer, lips pressed against Hernan’s once again.
Okay so I was scrolling through tumblr today and found this wonderful, wonderful art done by the unbelievably talented @scumashslanderson. Needless to say, the art preoccupied my mind the whole day, because it’s really amazingly done, it made my heart jump like crazy and I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. So this happened.
Kirk closes his eyes and turns his head towards the dark sky. He can feel the snow falling onto his face. He feels nothing. Kirk would’ve never thought he’d miss the cold, prickling sensation.
“What are you doing out here?” The voice pulls Kirk out of his own thoughts and he blinks before turning to face Hernan.
“Aren’t you supposed to be inside with your family?” He asks, quiet and as neutral as he can. Hernan is. He’s not around his family as often as he would want to be, Kirk knows that. He doesn’t want the man wasting his time out here with him, when he could talk to Valentina and the kids.
“You’re supposed to be inside too.” Hernan says as he comes closer, head leant to the side, a sign that he’s waiting for an explanation from Kirk and is not leaving without it. Not really the way Kirk would prefer to do this, but it doesn’t seem like he has much of a choice.
“I thought you might enjoy spending some time alone with them.” Kirk admits. Hernan frowns and Kirk can’t face whatever the expression will come. His eyes slip to the snow covering the ground around his feet and he takes a deep breath.
“I know what you’re doing.” He says quietly. “I’m okay. It’s not a big deal. I would be alright at the tower too.”
“Would you?” Hernan asks, his voice closer than before. Kirk’s not sure if he used his superspeed or if Kirk himself was just so distracted, but when he lifts his head once again, Hernan’s standing in front of him, and moving even closer. “This is your first Christmas without Tina and Magnus.”
Kirk knows that. Of course he does. He’s well aware of that. He knows that there won’t be any teasing from Magnus, any smiles from Tina. He knows there won’t be sitting in front of the fire, there won’t be those two pushing Kirk into opening the presents. There won’t be faking surprise (or as much as he was able to do that) while Tina and Magnus look all too proud with themselves.
No, that’s wrong. There wasn’t that for a long time now, not with Magnus… there wasn’t Tina for a long time, and once again Kirk wonders. Maybe, if Kirk noticed, Magnus would pick a different way for himself. Maybe if Kirk noticed, at least one of his friends would still be around. How could he not notice anyway? Tina was… Tina was everything at one point. She was the one that understood Kirk without him even needing to say anything. Tina was trying to help him, when Kirk was still hating the world around him, hating himself and Kirk let her down. She didn’t even get to have a normal funeral. Kirk should’ve noticed something was wrong. It was all his own fault and –
“It was not your fault.” Hernan frowns, his hand cupping Kirk’s cheek and frowning down at him. “There is no way you could’ve known.”
That’s not right. That’s totally and right and Kirk opens his mouth to tell Hernan just that, but the man swoops in, kissing him, the warmth of Hernan’s lips tingling on Kirk’s own, making his heart beat quicker in his chest and Kirk tells himself it’s Hernan’s hands that keep his face prisoner. All too soon Hernan breaks the kiss, before pressing their foreheads together, smiling down at Kirk and brushing his thumbs over Kirk’s cold cheeks.
“One day, I’m going to make you believe it.”
Kirk doesn’t doubt that. It feels like Hernan has this tremendous power over Kirk, commandeering his thoughts, steering them into so many directions. Kirk has no doubts that Hernan will manage to make him feel less guilty. And he fears that day already.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Hernan pulls away, his hands disappearing in his coat and Kirk says himself he doesn’t miss their warmth already. Then they are back, and Kirk stares at the scarf Hernan’s tying around his neck. “Val asked me to bring this to you. It was supposed to be your Christmas present, but she thinks you look too cold out here.”
Kirk blinks and his fingers curl into the fabric of the scarf. It’s soft and warm, there are small bat symbols at the end and Kirk’s chest tightens.
“Why would she do this?” He asks, honestly confused. Hernan doesn’t roll his eyes at him, just smiles again.
“Because you’re family.” Hernan points out. He’s not trying to persuade Kirk, he’s just stating what he believes and it feels so overwhelming, that Kirk’s positive he can’t breathe. His chest’s still rising and falling though, his vision doesn’t black out and he swallows, before turning away from Hernan, telling himself it’s the strong wind that makes his eyes sting.
Kirk can feel Hernan moving up to him, his arms curling around Kirk’s waist.
“Should we go inside?” Hernan asks, and Kirk shakes his head, before leaning back against Hernan’s chest.
“Not just yet. I want to watch the snow for a moment.”
It’s impossible for Kirk to feel cold anymore. But he doesn’t remember feeling this warm ever before.
I wanted to thank all of you guys, reblogging, liking, and some of you are even replying to my stuff. That’s so overwhelming, and I really really wanted to thank you, because every word, tag that you use keeps me going and really happy and... nothing can compare to the feeling of seeing/hearing that someone liked what I wrote.
I didn’t expect something like this, and I really thank you.
“He’s here.” Tina whispers, excitement written all over her voice and Kirk doesn’t lift his head to see who she’s talking about. He doesn’t need to, he knows that really well. The guy’s coming every week, at the same time, picking up the same order.
“I know.” Kirk says and sighs when Tina pulls the bouquet he’s working on away from him, smiling like the Cheshire cat that she sometimes it.
“You should go and see what he wants.”
“I know what he wants.” Kirk says quietly and Tina rolls her eyes at him.
“I’m pretty sure you don’t.” She mutters and Kirk frowns. It’s not the first time she said something like that, but every time Kirk asks what she means, she just smiles and shakes her head. So Kirk just gives up with time.
She’s also staring at him, with the same look in her face as when she’s telling Will that he really has to go with her to her parents for the holidays, something that Will didn’t manage to get out of in years. Kirk’s pretty sure Tina’s not going to cut any slack for him either, so he sighs and nods.
“Good!” Tina smiles and reaches over to touch his hair lightly. “I’ll see you tomorrow then. Good luck, Kirk.”
Kirk doesn’t get the chance to ask just what he needs the good luck with, because Tina’s winking at him and soon the bell above the door chimes. Kirk sighs, glancing at the unfinished bouquet, but he’s pretty sure that Tina would find out if he just returned to it, no matter how much he wants to be done with it.
“That was a terribly big sigh.” Deep voice grumbles next to him and Kirk blinks, lifting his head to look at the man. “Girlfriend troubles?” He asks, smirking.
“Tina?” Kirk asks, then shakes his head. “She’s just a friend.”
The man shrugs, leaning on the counter lightly.
“You seem close though.” His face’s just inches away from Kirk’s own and Kirk’s pretty sure that if he concentrated enough he’d be able to feel his breath on his own skin. His fingers twitch on the paper he’s holding lightly and Kirk shrugs.
“We are. We’re friends for years now. She, her husband and I.”
The man nods at that.
“Well, that’s a relief.” Kirk can almost hear Tina’s ‘I told you so’, even though he has no idea why.
“You’re here for the flowers, aren’t you Mr. Guerra?” Kirk asks already in the process of turning, when a hand on his arm stops him.
“Call me Hernan.” Mr. Guerr- Hernan – says, reaching over and tucking a strand of Kirk’s hair behind his ear. Hernan doesn’t pull away, he’s just cupping the side of Kirk’s face, his touch warm, almost hot and Kirk swallows around the rock that’s suddenly stuck in his throat. “All my lovers do.”
Kirk blinks.
“I’m… I’m not.”
“Not yet.” Hernan nods and Kirk’s eyes widen at that. Hernan’s smirk grows and he turns, walking to the exit. It’s only when the door open that some of the blood returns to Kirk’s brain and he almost jumps.
“Your order!”
“I’ll pick it up tomorrow.” Hernan says, turning. “Along with you. At five.” The bell rings as the door close behind the man and Kirk presses his hand against his heart, worried that it’s going to jump out of his chest any minute.
Kirk always says Hernan saved him. Hernan’s too selfish to correct the man, to tell him it’s the other way around. To tell him that Kirk’s saving him every day, keeping his dark side at bay, with every look in his direction.
With all the trust he has in him, with the way he follows everything without asking. With standing by his side no matter what.
Hernan knows he’s selfish - he knows it’s his own fear, fear of what he could - would become without Kirk by his side - but he can’t let Kirk go. He tries to make Kirk need him. First with his blood, then with the plasma.
He whispers words of acceptance into Kirk’s ears in the night, holding him as close as he can, worried he might disappear any moment. He whispers the words of love, whispers words he hopes no one else can.
He tries to take more and more of Kirk’s time, tries to occupy more and more of Kirk’s thoughts.
Kirk finds out. It’s Bekka’s fault that he does, the woman noticing too much.
Hernan expects retribution. He expects Kirk glaring, he expects a talk about how he just used the trust Kirk has in him.
The man just looks at him though, before shaking his head.
“You’re worrying for nothing. I can’t leave my world behind.” His tone is monotone, his attention already turning back to his computer. He doesn’t notice Hernan’s heart jumping in his chest, neither does he pay any attention when Hernan smiles and comes closer, his arms closing around Kirk, imprisoning him against Hernan’s chest.
“Didn’t know you were such a smooth talker, Mi Amor.” Hernan whispers, before pressing the kiss to the skin of Kirk’s neck.
Their first kiss, Kirk doesn’t even notice. He’s walking to the Kryptonian ship, frowning at the tablet in his hands, checking the numbers again and again. They don’t change and Kirk sighs, his mind running over the possibilities of way to work around that when Hernan slips his arm around Kirk’s waist and presses a small kiss to the corner of Kirk’s lips. It’s so quick and light, that Kirk doesn’t even stop.
Their second kiss isn’t even a kiss. It’s Kirk being stubborn and in pain and Hernan force-feeding him the fake blood with his own lips. Kirk still remembers how stained red Hernan’s lips were after, as Kirk licked the plasma off his own lips.
The third kiss is mostly Bekka’s doing. She’s grinning at them , there’s the dangerous glint in her eyes and Kirk’s shaking his head before she can even open her mouth. It doesn’t stop her though, the cursed words still leaving her lips and Kurt sighs and gives up when he sees the smirk on Hernan’s lips. The man never backs off a challenge after all. Hernan smiles at him, then swoops in and does his best to steal Kirk’s breath.
The fourth time they kiss, it’s not Hernan’s doing.Or maybe it is. Because Kirk’s imprisoned in his arms, Hernan’s forehead warm against Kirk’s cold one. He’s whispering things, words that Kirk can’t understand in his grieve. His mind can’t think of anything other than that he’s truly alone now, that Magnus and Tina are really gone and -
And Hernan’s arms tighten around him, bringing Kirk back from his gloomy thoughts. He looks up and Hernan’s looking at him, like he’s worried Kirk might perhaps break, might be taken from him and Kirk never saw this much fear in his eyes. His hands come up and rest on Hernan’s cheeks as Kirk presses their lips together.
It’s when they are sitting on the couch, Kirk forcefully dragged away from the computer by Hernan and watching whatever Christmas comedy movie while the snow is falling outside, that Kirk realized there were never any ‘I love you’s between the two of them.
Hernan never told him, not when he lifted Kirk from damnation, not when he stood next to him on Will’s and Tina’s funeral. Not when he later held him close, the warm breath ghosting over Kirk’s skin, gentle touches and kisses making him forget.
Not when they said goodbye to Bekka and stayed alone.
Kirk blinks, frowning at the window not really angry or disappointed, just confused.
“Kirk.” Hernan calls and Kirk turns his head a little, surprised to see that Hernan abandoned the movie altogether, instead seems to have watched Kirkt this whole time. “Love is a fickle human emotion. What we share, is much more.” He whispers, leaning closer, blessing Kirk with another one of his godly kisses.
