The Love You Want (sleep token fic - Polyvessels)

III: Part Eight

Things do not seem to change much after that night. Vessel feels as though he is walking on eggshells around the other vessels, trying to be so careful about asking for too much affection even if he craves it like oxygen. III has been relentless in his affections, though. Asking at all hours of the day for kisses that steal Vessel's breath and leave him aching for more. Vessel finds II and III in the kitchen making breakfast in the mornings as III hangs off II's back, arms wrapped around his waist and aches for that same closeness. His empty chest aches when III coaxes II into a short dance that II tries to shy away from, stumbling awkwardly as III hums along to the radio he brought down from their room. III's boisterous laughter and encouragement to have some fun with them, even as II complains about the food beginning to burn is endearing and Vessel feels like an outsider, lingering at the kitchen door trying his hardest not to be noticed.

He wonders what would have happened if he'd had the courage to join them.

II and III have picked up a brand new routine of giving each other, and then Vessel, in no particular order, kisses when they wake in the morning. None of them have seemed to sleep in their own rooms since they officially started dating, which wasn't too far off from the way things were before. He aches for the way those two cuddle close at night or just lazing about, II's head on III's chest or the other way around, unafraid to be that vulnerable with someone else.

Vessel is happy when II and III ask to kiss him. So, so happy. He never refuses, always eagerly agrees. He wants to soak in every ounce of affection they'll give him like a sponge. Vessel knows he will never tire of it, needs to take in all of it he can while they still wish to give it.

Just a few days after Vessel got revenge for III, he sits on his piano bench, writing down chord changes as he works on a song with his guitar. Already, he has a few ideas for lyrics inspired by a certain bassist, though Vessel isn't sure the song will ever see the light of day. It's no where near completed, merely a base melody and a couple lyric lines he needs to work off of. A knock on the doorframe startles him from his concentration, and lo' and behold, one of the objects of his desire stands at the door with a smile.

"Hey, Sugar, y'wanna head out to see my garden? I started it the day you were... gone. I was thinking we could go on a walk after, see if Two wants to join?"

There's a nervous flush to III's cheeks that Vessel doesn't usually see. Vessel nods, already beginning to put his guitar away. III lights up, smile growing wider as he practically vibrates in place, trying to keep still to not make Vessel too nervous. III meets Vessel halfway to the door, eagerly offering up their hand that Vessel takes with a smile, swinging their hands between them gently as III practically pulls Vessel towards the living room.

II lays on the couch playing on his phone, tired eyes watching the screen with a furrow between his brow as he scrolls through something with utmost concentration. "Doll, did you wanna go on a walk with Vessel and I after I get done showing him the garden?"

"Are you asking me out on your date with Ves?" II inquires curiously, turning away from his screen, and Vessel startles a little, faltering behind III.

"Yes! I don't really want to go outside of Sleep's realm yet so this is all I've come up with." III grins, nodding along with II's words.

Vessel splutters, eyes a little wide, not realizing that this is what III was aiming for. They were asking him on a date? Vessel didn't realize, didn't even think-

Feeling Vessel's surprise over the bond, III turns his sheepish smile on to Vessel, as they nervously run a hand through their hair. "I thought you realized. My bad, Sugar. I would like to take you out on a date, if that's alright?"

Vessel is nodding before he can think better of it, and III grins, bringing Vessel's hand up to plant a kiss over his knuckles. "Still not talking much, sweetheart?" II asks, watching the both of them fondly.

"Voice..." Vessel's voice peters out as he continues, clearing his throat, "Does not want to work sometimes, still. I apologize."

"Don't apologize, pretty. Its not your fault. You're doing so well." III refutes, pressing another kiss to Vessel's knuckles.

III enjoys the way Vessel's face goes pink at the term, at the praise. He hates how easy it is, just a little bit of affection goes so far with him, and yet he loves it at the same time.

Who made him like this?

What tragedy led Vessel to becoming entangled with Sleep in the first place?

And is there a way Sleep can give III the chance to snap their necks after kicking their teeth in?

"I might join you later. I've been trying to figure out where we are in the country now, and if there are any small places we can play at." II says, shaking his phone a little for emphasis.

"Do you think we're ready to play a show?" III asks, curious.

Even as II says that he thinks they are, as they have at least three songs they can play, and III fits with them so naturally and is well on his way to perfecting his parts, Vessel wants the ground to open up and swallow him whole.

"Will you be able to sing, sweetheart?"

Vessel nods slowly, even if he isn't sure himself. "Mask- helps."

"Have you heard him sing much, Three?" II asks, suddenly not quite sure.

"A little. His voice has been failing him a lot, whenever we practice so I'm not sure I've heard him clearly. We'll be keeping our masks on, right? I've never seen Vessel sing without his."

"Can't without it." Vessel says, feeling ashamed of his cowardice.

"That's alright. It's better we all wear the masks anyway. Anonymity seems to be the best choice for us, with our Sleep given features and all." II is quick to reassure, not liking the self-deprecation in Vessel's tone.

III is putting a little braid in his hair as they all talk, cursing when they realize they lost their rubber band. Vessel taps their shoulder, handing them one of the rubber bands he keeps in his pockets just for a situation like this. III smiles, thanking him with a peck on the cheek as he ties the braid off.

"Will you be playing the guitar, Ves, or will we need to find a guitarist?" III asks curiously.

"We'll need to find one." He replies hesitantly, and there is a strange lilt to his tone that does not go unnoticed by the others.

Vessel does not want to find a guitarist, but knows he cannot play the instrument on stage. It will be hard enough to get himself to sing, let alone do so and play an instrument. In his soul, he knows that the position is meant to be filled by the fourth vessel. It is not something to be given freely to anyone, no matter if they're good at the instrument or what they're looking for. Sleep has made no mention of a fourth yet, so they are left to find a stand in. Vessel has no reason to refuse the other two when he knows they need someone else until their Fourth comes to join them.

"Alright, we'll get to that later, as well as picking a name for the band. Oh, Three, before you go, I think we can take the bandage off your palm now, and I need to check your fingers." II says as III takes Vessel's hand again and starts to turn around to leave.

III agrees easily, apologizing to Vessel for making him wait. "Take... care of yourself." Vessel manages before grimacing, bringing out his phone to type on.

'You insist I take care of my wounds, I insist you take care of yours. I can wait.'

II has III sit on the couch as he places a bookmark in his book and grabs a small first aid kit from one of the many bookcases, smiling affectionately at the little labels III had done on the wooden furniture.

II unwraps the bandages with care, trying to make sure he doesn't pull scabbing away in case there is any. There is a thin, nearly invisible scar that blends in with the lines of III's hand, striking right through the red question mark where it is only slightly more noticeable. Vessel's guilt slides like oil down the bond at the sight of it, tainting the tether binding their souls with his rising self-loathing. "Do not feel guilty for this Vessel." III demands, "I do not regret what I did."

Vessel does not answer, his guilt remains, but he moves to sit close to III, taking care not to touch him. III is the one that reaches out to hold Vessel's hand without a thought, seeking the comfort and the familiar chill of Vessel's hand in theirs. II moves on to III's fingers next, taking off the bandages and redoing them after applying a bit of burn cream. The redness of the skin and the little blister at the tips did not look serious, well on their way to being healed already, but Vessel is curious as to how III received them in the first place. He doesn't dare ask.

II kisses each fingertip as he smiles, "You're done, sweetheart. Now, Ves, what about your fingers?"

Vessel's own fingers still bear the bandages around the distal phalanges like III's, from where he'd ripped and split the skin around his cuticles in his anxiety a few days prior. They'd bled too much for II's liking and insisted Vessel let him bandage them.

III is the one who did it, though. They insisted, profusely, with shaking hands and a terrified face. Vessel felt absolutely horrible the entire time, as II held a hand on his thigh for comfort just as he was doing to III. III's leg had morphed in his fright, as thin as spindly as his arm had been, as he looked at Vessel as though he was seeing something else, eyes squeezing shut. The relief that slammed through the bond when they unwrapped the first finger and found that the wounds had healed almost entirely, and there was nothing but faint scabbing left, was immense and immediate. III's hands slowly got less shaky after that, still held tightly to Vessel's long after they finished until the tremble was gone and III's smile turned genuine.

"Go on and enjoy your date, you two. I'll be here if you still want me to join you for the second half."

III leans forward and kisses II shortly, standing and pulling Vessel up with them. "Thanks, Doll, appreciate it. We'll be back soon enough. I expect you to be dressed and ready to go!" III wiggles his pointer finger at II in a premature reprimand, or perhaps a joking threat.

They stop in the foyer so III can put shoes on at the door, and then they're on their way. The sun is bright above them, and Vessel winces at the first bit of sunlight that meets his eyes, blinking to remove the multitude of white spots that swarmed his vision. His outfit is a little unusual for the warm weather, a pair of loose, black, billowing pants with a brown belt to hold it up, his mask attached, and the flowing, victorian-esque shirt III had picked out for him at the thrift store. His feet are bare, and as the roots of the large trees surrounding the manor move away from III's path so he does not trip, Vessel consequently remains safe from the same fate. III walks beside him in a knee-length skirt and a cropped tank top with frilled straps, swinging their hands together as they pull him down the little path they'd made that leads along the side of the house.

The little plot walled in with red brick is unassuming, tiny sprouts already beginning to grow from the soil.

"Did not- help like I was supposed to. Apologies." Vessel says as they come upon it as III grins proudly.

"Its alright, love. It kept me from being too worried while you were gone. The plans we made meant it was far easier, besides." III tries to assuage the guilt Vessel seems to always carry around like a second skin, even if they have to understate just how worried he and II were.

"You did well by yourself." Vessel says genuinely, voice catching a little as he forces himself.

"Thank you, Sugar. I planted some daffodils and bellflowers. I intend to offer them to Sleep and keep them on the altar. It will be a while yet before they grow, though." III explains, pulling Vessel down to crouch with him.

Vessel thinks back to the flowers III had left on his nightstand, how he had restored them to perfection. He wonders if he can do the same now, but... Will III be alright with it if Vessel were to try? Knowing he couldn't speak enough to explain properly, Vessel takes out his phone to type it out.

'Thank you for the flowers you left me. They're very pretty though I'm unsure of some of their meanings. I think I've discovered another ability and want to test it on your garden. Am I allowed?'

Vessel fiddles with the phone case, biting and pulling at the skin of his lip before he offers the phone to III to read.

"You're welcome, Sugar, and thank you for asking. Go on ahead, they aren't much to look at right now anyway. I don't mind planting something new if I have to." III waves Vessel on, sitting back on his haunches to watch what Vessel does.

Nervous now, Vessel takes in a small breath to steel himself for failure, reaching out and planting his hands palm down in the dirt. He concentrates on the sprouts just barely tickling his palms, willing them to grow. They follow his command easily, surprisingly, leaves and stems sprouting from under his hands that he has to lift to avoid squashing the flowers blooming before he and III.

"Shit, Ves, that's amazing! I'm really proud of you!"

Vessel keeps his hands near as more and more of the flowers begin to bloom, marigolds and bellflowers but also others that III didn't plant, like amaryllis as Vessel feels a bit of pride swell up within him. He looks over to III in excitement that only grows when he sees that same excitement mirrored on III's face.

"Beautiful job, Sugar!"

III is elated, picking one of the bellflowers and placing the stem in Vessel's hair, behind one ear. One side of Vessel's mouth tilts up into a smile baring a fang, turning back to their work as a couple more daffodils bloom up from ground, glowing a gentle yellow the color of their petals. They snap a quick photo before Vessel can see, leaning forward to kiss him when he turns to see what III is doing. Vessel loses his balance, concentrated expression morphing into surprise, falling over onto his ass in the dirt from where they had both been crouched before the garden plot. III follows him down, a hand on the back of Vessel's head to protect it from the fall and dirt, amusement and adoration flowing so heavily down the bond that Vessel feels consumed by it, cannot deny that III is genuine in those feelings.

III laughs in amusement, pulling away to do so. "I love you." They grin, and Vessel sends some of his down the bond with purpose, needing III to know that Vessel loves him in return.

Flowers start blooming around Vessel's arms where one has fallen to rest at his side, a line of blooming petals between the cracks in the bricks that glow gently under the sun's rays leading back up to the garden itself. White poppies for peacefulness or calm, and daisies for loyal love. III looks down at Vessel, taking him, and all the flowers beginning to grow around his head, in and feels overwhelmed by the love they have for him.

Vessel watches III intently. Watches how the sun turns his blonde hair golden as it peeks through the canopy of trees, not yet noon. His question mark freckle by his eye has disappeared into the creases his skin makes when they smile, and Vessel is enamored, completely and utterly. "You're beautiful."

III's smile turns into a grin, pretty blue eyes surrounded by a sea of black that makes the color pop going mischievous. III leans down to kiss Vessel again, pausing right before their lips touch, moving up to plant a kiss at the tip of his nose instead. All six of Vessel's eyes go cross-eyed as he watches, and III huffs a small laugh of amusement.

"Thank you, pretty. Forgot to ask for that kiss, sorry, love. Can I have another?" III asks, and Vessel nods eagerly, murmuring a quiet yes that gets lost in the sounds of the birdsong around them.

The bellflower has barely remained in Vessel's hair, hanging on by his ear for dear life. III takes two careful fingers and fixes it, leaning down to kiss Vessel as they thread their fingers through what of Vessel's hair is loose from his half-up, half-down hairdo, with a small braid that III had done for him earlier that morning.

As Vessel is finding common for III, the single kiss turns into two turns into three turns into full on making out, all careful teeth and ravaging tongue. Vessel's takes in short, panting breaths between kisses as his lungs burn and still he longs for more, anything and everything III will give him. The smell of the soil and the flowers are strong in his nose, sucking deep breaths in when III gives Vessel a moment to breathe. More and more flowers begin to bloom, all glowing their respective colors gently.

Vessel does not want III to stop kissing him, he fears if he does not figure out how to stop the flowers from growing, the line between garden plot and the rest of the yard surrounding the house will be nonexistent.

When III lets Vessel breathe again, Vessel says as much, in stilted, breathy words as he catches his breath. Flowers are still blooming; bellflowers, daffodils, poppies, and now, pink magnolias that III must know mean shyness. Vessel is certain he will explode from that shyness with how flustered he is, blushing and still breathless but overcome by III's single-minded affections that Vessel cannot deny are genuine. Not when Vessel can feel III's giddy excitement and something else Vessel cannot name, does not properly recognize. Its warm, and feels safe. It feels a little like Vessel's love for III, for II. He wonders if it is their love for him, wonders if he can dare to hope. He wants them to love him, wants that love to last. He wants to be worthy of it.

He asked to be loved, and now, faced with that possibility, Vessel is afraid it is not real, that it is real. Because that means that he was never truly loved before them. And Vessel cannot handle that truth, not now. Cannot handle what that means for him and his past and how he suffered and suffered.

Because II and III love Vessel, with their hearts and souls and everything beyond and between. They love him easily, like breathing. It can be hard, yes, to love Vessel, to love every part of him when their very souls ache at any sliver of knowledge he gives them about his past, at seeing what that past continues to do to him as Vessel mutilates his arms. It makes their blood run cold to think of what he must have suffered, the stories he never told and may never tell. Loving Vessel is to hurt for Vessel, because hurt is all Vessel knows. They love him, far more than he loves himself, and they're going to help him love himself. They do not even know just how far that hatred for himself runs, but their love is endless, something tying their souls together beyond Sleep, and they know it is fate that brought them together, and not only the measly whims of a God.

Because Vessel loves II and III, with his heart and soul and everything beyond and between. There are ten-ton weights attached to his feet, one is by his own hand, and the other has been placed there by his parents, then they tossed him into the ocean and no one ever told him not to breathe. And with every person who had ever willingly hurt him, ruined him, picked his heart to pieces, a new link of the chain only further weighed him down. And so he sunk beneath the waves, and sunk, and sunk, until all he knew was the crushing darkness of the depths as he drowned over and over and over.

Vessel knows what it is like to drown. Knows the burning in his lungs as they beg for air, the way his body fights his hearts desire to die. Vessel had survived that attempt, and did not attempt to drown himself again.

His own weight is loosening, but the other is so hefty, and he has only known its weight for so long, Vessel does not remember what it is like to be weightless.

"What are you thinking about, baby?" III asks, voice soft as they take in the purple hyacinths beginning to blossom around Vessel.

III knows that purple hyacinths are most often used to express sadness.

"Before." Vessel murmurs, and III moves off of him, letting Vessel sit up.

The nickname rubs Vessel the wrong way. He... he hates it, he realizes. It... shit, it reminds him of his past partners. At some point, every one of them had called him a baby. For crying when he was upset or after they'd hurt him. For not being able to go into stores alone, for getting anxiety over basic things at home... It hurts for III to call him that. Vessel wants to ask him to stop. Wonders if III would listen, or would only continue to use the nickname more now that they knew Vessel didn't like it.

There are a multitude of petals in his hair, and as Vessel moves to try and figure out how to get all of these flowers to stop growing, III begins carefully plucking them out of the mess Vessel's hair has become.

"Do you want to talk about it?" III asks, taking note of the small bit of dissatisfaction that splattered like ink over Vessel's bond when III called him a baby.

Vessel wiped it away easily, as though it had never been there as the flowers listen intently to Vessel's silent command to stop, stop growing.

"No, it- it doesn't matter, now. I- Thank you though."

"Of course, love, Two and I are always willing to listen, if you ever need to get something off your chest."

Vessel wants to believe him. Wants to slice open his empty chest and show III what Vessel cannot speak... but Vessel knows that neither the Second nor the Third vessel will continue to love a man who has no heart in his chest to give, no matter if it still beats, just not in his body.

Vessel nods, unable to lie to III, to agree to something he cannot uphold, not again. Little things had become easier to say. It had been easier to go to them before they all got in a relationship, but now Vessel is afraid one wrong move will cause this happiness he feels in his chest to crumble like a stack of cards.

"Let's go grab Two, Sugar. I wanna show him what you've done with the garden. It really is beautiful, I've got to find some pots to move these to. Oh, and I can put some in vases around the house." III helps Vessel up, planting a small kiss on his temple after, and that happiness Vessel had been feeling before his mind started running without him seems to come back, a little.

III wanted Vessel to say that he would talk to them, just to hear it, even if he won't.

"You could offer some to Sleep now, like you wanted." Vessel offers quietly as he and III walk hand in hand back towards the front of the house.

He gently fingers the bellflower in his hair with a smile, and misses the look of complete adoration that slides onto III's face.

Vessel does not recognize the love, sweet and thick, coating the bond. Just because Vessel does not recognize it, does not truly believe it is there or that it will remain, does not mean that it is not there.

"I'll do that later, maybe tomorrow." III hums, swinging their hands gently.

II is on the phone when III and Vessel enter the house, pacing back and forth in the living room. He smiles a little at them as he raises a single finger for them to wait a moment as he continues talking to whoever is on the line. III shrugs, pulling Vessel up the stairs with an unbothered grin.

Vessel follows, enjoying the gentle touch of III's hand clasped in his own, reveling in the attention. III takes him to their room, and when they enter, III pauses long enough to close the door until only a crack remains. Leading Vessel over to the bed while he is simply content to watch, III sits them both at its edge, idly fidgeting with the screensaver in the ensuing silence.

"Wanna make out?" III breaks the silence at random, and Vessel's face goes beet red, not expecting the turn in conversation.

He nods though, ever eager, and lets III lean forward to kiss him. Soon enough, III is slowly pushing Vessel back towards the mattress, climbing onto the bed after him to straddle Vessel's hips.

III's fingers fiddle with the waistband of Vessel's pants, one thumb sliding beneath the fabric to rub sensually over a scarred hip. Vessel loses count of how many kisses III gives him, and wishes he could keep that count to cherish every one.

III's shirt has ridden up over the span of their extensive kissing session, exposing more of their skin to Vessel's enraptured gaze. One pair remains on the exposed flesh of their stomach, another watching III kiss him with abandon. The top set is open, watching III curiously just the same as III is watching him. It should unsettle Vessel for III to like keeping their eyes open when kissing, but it just seems another of III's quirks, just another thing for Vessel to love about them.

Vessel cannot stop staring in hunger, bottom pair of eyes traveling lower, eyes shining as arousal stirs low in his gut. He doesn't expect it to go anywhere further, expects it to be stomped out if this continues the way Vessel thinks it will. The way III seems to be heading.

"Sex on the first date, Sugar? How scandalous." III jokes, and Vessel almost apologizes.

He pauses though, considering, and pointedly does not refute III's joke. If III wants to have sex, Vessel will not deny them. He is good at keeping quiet, he's had so much practice. He can even fake the noises if he works hard enough.

This is what all the kissing has been leading up to, right? One didn't kiss another just for the fun of it. III had just been playing the long game all week, just for this end result. Vessel had been expecting it, had wondered when this would happen. Wondered what III would look like over him, in him.

"If you want to... Just- My... my shirt. Can I keep it on?" This is all Vessel will ask for, he reassures himself.

Only this. Only to keep his heartbeat, or lack thereof, a little harder to detect...

Shit, there's something else Vessel wants too. He needs to tell III. Needs to.

III pulls away entirely, weight held up on by his knees to watch Vessel for a moment, to check for any signs of hesitation. The only sign of uncertainty seems to be with keeping III's hands off of Vessel in all the places he keeps away from touch.

"Of course you can, Ves, if you want to. You look so pretty in it, I could never refuse." III reassures as they strip out of their own shirt and skirt, deliberating for a split second before taking their underwear off too.

All of them is exposed to Vessel, including the markings over their pelvis, black, shadowy flames with an ever shifting little golden question mark pointing towards each hipbone. It gets lost a little in the hair leading down to his dick, but it is no less beautiful.

As Vessel admires him, he divests himself of most of his clothes. Vessel is quickly left in only his shirt and boxers, and III has never seen a more ethereal being in his entire life.

"Kiss me. All that you want. Please." Vessel states, sending his reassurance down the bond.

"Are you sure, my love?" III asks, searching Vessel's face for any uncertainty.

"Yes. Please."

III goes in for a kiss, all tongue and sharp-fanged nips as he shoves Vessel back on the bed. III hopes he isn't being too rough but Vessel never breaks the kiss, letting III maneuver him as they please as the arousal he was feeling ever so slowly begins to grow.

"Are you sure about this, Vessel? I'm perfectly content with getting dressed again and just watching something on my phone with you until Two is done." III pulls away to ask, fixing the flower in Vessel's hair.

Vessel does not respond for a moment, staring up at III with something akin to confusion. He doesn't understand why III is asking. His other partners never asked.

"Yes?" Vessel responds, more of a question than an answer, head tilting just so to the side.

III frowns, sitting up to straddle Vessel's waist, careful not to put any of their weight on him. Vessel hurries to correct himself as III tries to keep an eye on the bond for a lie, "Yes. I am. I want this."

The lie feels like ash on his tongue, and Vessel keeps the spike of panic at lying hidden under the reassurance he shoves down the bond to overshadow it. It matters more to Vessel that III enjoys himself, that III will be satisfied and happy with him. Vessel had never found enjoyment in sex, but that means nothing to him. He's curious how III will sound, hopes it doesn't hurt too badly.

III narrows his eyes in suspicion, and leans down halfway. "If you want this, then kiss me."

"Kiss you?" Vessel murmurs, "You want me to kiss you? Will you not grow tired of me if I kissed you as much as I wish?"

"I will never tire of your lips on mine. If you want to give, then give me all that you can give. I want to taste you better."

Vessel's decision is quick and if his heart were in his chest, he is sure it would pound right out of his skin through his ribcage. Vessel is being so bold, so selfish. But he wants III, anything he will give him.

II and III make him want to be brave, even if he knows he is a coward at heart, even if he knows that their inevitable departure will ruin him like nothing else ever has.

Vessel surges up and plants his lips right on III's, a hand coming to hold their shoulder in another daring action. III moans into the kiss, one hand coming up to grip Vessel's at his shoulder. There is a moment of panic in Vessel's chest as III rips Vessel's hand off of their shoulder, but it is dashed away faster than Vessel can latch on to the emotion as III takes both of Vessel's hands, clasping their fingers together, and shoving them to either side of Vessel's head.

III's tongue is ravaging, exploring Vessel's mouth with haste, and Vessel dares to lean further into it, to shove one thigh up to III's hip just to feel them close.

"I love you." III says when they pull away, "I love you. I love you."

When III says those three words like that, looking down at Vessel with the most adoring expression Vessel has ever seen, Vessel almost believes him. Can almost fool himself into thinking this is real.

"Can I take your underwear off, Sugar?" III asks, and Vessel responds by beginning to wiggle them off his hips with haste.

III reaches to help, planting soft kisses to Vessel's cheeks sporadically, just because they want to. III does not shy away from Vessel's scars peeking over the bandages on his thighs, finding them a safer place to hold than the bandages themselves. III does not want to hurt Vessel by not being careful with his self harm.

Careful not to loosen the bandages on Vessel's thighs, III pulls them up and apart so Vessel is spread before him. Enraptured by the sight of him, III moves their body forward to slot himself between the meaty limbs.

"Gonna get you ready for me, love." III says, circling the tight hole of Vessel's ass with a finger slick with pre-cum taken from III's own cock.

He pushes two in when Vessel nods, not noticing the quickly stifled confusion that Vessel tried to keep at bay. It feels good, Vessel realizes, even as III is hasty with it, adding a third as Vessel sighs at the unfamiliar knot beginning to build in his gut.

Downstairs, II gasps, face twisting as he feels Vessel's pleasure and is nearly overcome by it, quickly making an excuse to call back later to whoever he was on the phone with. II is going to absolutely wreck III when he gets his hands on them just for nor giving II a warning that he'd be bombarded with the other vessels shared pleasure. They were supposed to wait. II just hopes III knows what they're doing. Soft footsteps pad up the staircase, room door closing quietly behind him, fingers already beginning to unbuckle his jeans. Fuck, a warning would have been nice, II thinks as he practically jumps into bed, focusing in on III and Vessel's bonds to relish in the pleasure bleeding into II's own bond.

III fingers Vessel open, and the pleasure that builds in him is consuming every rational thought in his head as III thrusts his fingers quickly. Vessel has never been prepped beforehand, didn't even know it was something one did before having sex with another man. III continues to surprise him, and Vessel thinks that maybe sex could be something he enjoys, if its with III. If it stays like this.

III is kissing Vessel again, gently taking one of his angel bite piercings between their teeth and pulling before going back to kissing him with abandon, and he has lost count of how many times they've done so since this started. Vessel grins into the kiss, unable to help himself. Kissing them is one of the greatest joys in Vessel's life and it never fails to pull a smile out of him, despite his insecurities.

The pace of III's fingers is fast and deep, working Vessel open quicker than III had intended but he was so eager, so desperate. Desperate to be inside Vessel and finally know what it feels like to have the other man under them, to see what expressions will befall his expressive features after III gets their cock into him.

III swears he could cum from the sight of Vessel alone, hazy eyes unfocused as his bond tells of his pleasure, hair splayed out around him as III finally slips their fingers out, deeming Vessel's ass thoroughly prepped. He is the picture of beauty, covered in his own self-harm scarring and bandages, markings gifted by Sleep peeking out from the open V of his shirt.

"Putting it in now, Ves." III warns as he lines himself up, and Vessel only nods, one pair of ruby eyes managing to catch III's pretty blues as the top pair tries to also take every inch of III in at once.

The bottom pair trails down from III's face to their neck, down their chest, catching on their happy trail and the markings clearly visible, and then watches as III starts to push his thick cock into Vessel.

It's a slow, agonizing push, but Vessel expected it to hurt worse than it did. He supposes the prep work III did was useful after all, and feels a tiny seed of bitterness sprout in his soul that he stomps out with ease, but the thought remains. That is all his first lover would have needed to do to make sure it didn't feel like Vessel was being torn open every time they had sex? Vessel doesn't deserve the kindness III has shown him already, and definitely doesn't deserve to feel this good as III pushes in at a snails pace.

Vessel wants to ask him to go faster, to hurry up, because Vessel has never felt like this before and desperately needs more, needs to feel all of III inside of him right now. Vessel will not allow himself to ask something so selfish, no matter how greatly he wants to beg and plead and moan for more, more.

III works into Vessel slowly, a little to be a brat, but also because he likes the expression of pleasure on Vessel's face and wants it to last a little longer. They like the impatient little furrow to Vessel's brow that he tries to rid himself of before III can notice. III thanks Sleep for every little punctuated breath they pull out of Vessel with every inch of his cock sliding into him. The bond speaks of the ecstasy Vessel is feeling, and it seems heightened as the both of them feel it over the tether, almost sharing in it, heightening it, it seems like.

Nearly half way in, III pulls out, leaning down to kiss Vessel again at the same moment he shoves back in, bullying himself a little further inside. They swallow the surprised huff that spills from Vessel's lips with glee, pulling away as they slowly push their cock in further.

"You're so pretty below me, Sugar." III groans, enjoying the way Vessel's already flushed face goes even redder as III finally bottoms out, thumbing over the wet tip of Vessel's dick with intent.

"My pretty boy." III continues just to see how Vessel reacts, squeezing Vessel's hand as they very slowly pull out and then push back in to the hilt.

His ears go red next, six eyes unable to focus on anything as III continues thrusting into him, holding his dick in their large hand and squeezing gently, the bed creaking lowly below them. Golden tears bead at the corners of his glowing red eyes, slipping over as Vessel's cums into and on III's hand with a silent shout, panting at the ecstasy coursing through him, embarrassed it had hit him so quickly. III leans down to kiss him, hand leaving Vessel's own to tangle in his hair, not pulling at first, merely resting between the strands.

"I love you." III whispers against Vessel's lips, watching every minute change in Vessel's expression intently as III continues thrusting.

Vessel can barely manage to repeat the phrase with such reverence, words punctuated with every thrust of III's hips into the backs of Vessel's bandaged thighs.

There is a brief moment where III groans, pulling out and shoving a little deeper to grind his dick into Vessel a little further as Vessel lets out the closest thing he's made to a moan, more of a harsh wheeze, and III pulls his hair. It is barely a pinch of pain before III lets go entirely, taking a second to massage the spot they pulled before that hand comes to wipe away some of Vessel's tears. Vessel had been reminded of his third partner, for that split second, but III did not pull so hard that Vessel loses strands between their fingers like Vessel had expected. III had then soothed the spot lightly even if it didn't even truly hurt.

Vessel's chest heaves on the tail end of a sob, so silent as his shoulders shake, III fucking him so good he sees stars, and yet he doesn't make a sound. Not a sound of pleasure or pain. III almost stops fucking him to ask if he was alright, but Vessel grabs III's hips and forces him to stay inside, begging quietly for III to keep going.

Vessel can't believe he was so selfish to ask for something like that. Never before had he had the urge to keep going, not when his partner was being so rough. Though, Vessel finds that there is a stark difference in roughness, between III and his first partner. This doesn't hurt. There is an ache in his muscles, yes, as III pulls one thigh, then the other over their shoulders to somehow go even deeper inside of him, an action that causes the pleasure he is feeling to heighten exponentially. There is a slight sting on his lip where one of III's fangs nicked the skin, but Vessel enjoys it.

There is overwhelming ecstasy in Vessel as III's cock hits a spot in him that Vessel didn't even know he had, sending stars across his vision as a tiny little keen slips out, lost in the beautiful sounds III is making above him.

III is a little gentler after that, a little slower as Vessel's bond is filled with mind-numbing pleasure. III leans further into Vessel's space, arms reaching around his shoulders to pull him up, squeezing a little too tightly as Vessel wiggles enough for there to be a little space between their chests as III kisses him again. Release hits Vessel quickly when III hits that previously unknown spot in him, tipping Vessel over the edge again as III cums inside him and Vessel's release splatters over III's stomach. III's lips are on Vessel's again, and again, as they grind their cock and cum into Vessel slowly, murmuring softly, "You did so good for me, Sugar, so good. Such a good boy."

Being called good lights Vessel's nerves on fire, and he feels like he's floating in the aftershocks of his orgasm, smiling happily. Vessel didn't realize sex could feel this good.

III stills, finally, panting and satisfied as they pull out, dropping to lay beside Vessel, shoulders pressed close.

Vessel longs to feel III back inside him already. Longs for that closeness.

They lay there for a few minutes, basking in the afterglow and catching their breaths. III's heart pounds in their chest, hand reaching down blindly to find Vessel's hand, clasping it tightly to bring it up to kiss the back of it, letting their hands fall to rest on their touching thighs.

"That was- It was... It was good." Vessel murmurs, a little in awe, a little confused.

"Yeah, it was. I didn't mean to hold you that tightly towards the end, sorry." III apologizes, "And I think I was a little rough overall. Held you when you asked me not to touch your chest. I'll try not to do that again."

Vessel finds himself surprised, again. III thought that was rough? He didn't hurt Vessel, only shoved him around once or twice, he actually prepped him to take his cock, it felt- it felt amazing.

"No, no, it was... it was good. Better than any other time I've-" Vessel forces out before catching himself, realizing with some anxiety that III could have felt Vessel's lack of heartbeat.

No. They couldn't have. The pounding of III's heart alone must have been enough for them not to notice before I pulled away. Right?, Vessel tries desperately to convince himself.

Vessel will need to request something else. He doesn't know how to ask them to keep the touching to a bare minimum during sex, but he cannot risk something like that happening again. If III was a little more aware... Vessel's secret would be out and they would abandon him.

"I know I'm good but that good? You're overexaggerating, Sugar." III laughs, before a concerned frown just slightly graces his lips.

They hope that's all it is, but with Vessel, he knows he shouldn't expect most things to be just whatever.

Vessel doesn't say anything for a while, only turns onto his side to draw contemplative circles on III's shoulder, still a little lost in the pleasure they had just partook in. He... wants to open up to them more. He... wants them to know him. Truly know him beyond what he has allowed, beyond the mask (ha) he hides behind. Vessel knows he will regret this when given the time to overthink it, but he has never been subject to such pleasure before, and his mind is still a little scrambled in the aftermath, still shaking with the aftereffects of his orgasms.

"My first partner was a man. He was rough, and stronger, and didn't care if it was pleasurable for me. He only cared about himself." III stiffens at his side, bond filling with a sense of wrongness and anxiety.

Vessel's own bond is anxious, but he needs to say this. II sends down feelings of question and Vessel shoves back reassurance quickly, feeling II ease up on his worry in reluctant acceptance.

"Vessel, did I hurt-" III starts, frantic as he moves to sit up, but Vessel cuts him off.

"No. You didn't hurt me. You weren't even particularly rough, I'm fine. I enjoyed it. A lot, actually. I would... like to do it again, if you'll still have me." It's difficult to get the words out when Vessel is still struggling with his voice, but he manages and is, as usual, surprised when III does not rush him, or tell him to shut up.

III sits up, rolling over to cage Vessel in their arms below him, gaze intense and needing Vessel to believe them as he struggles to shove down their fury. "I'll always have you, as long as you're willing."

Vessel smiles, and it is a small thing that barely exposes a fang, that barely scrunches his lower pair of eyes. "I'll be willing as long as you'll have me."

"Do you mean that or are you just scared I'll be upset with you if you say no? You can say no to sex, whenever you do not want to have it." III argues gently, using one hand to brush some stray hair off of Vessel's sweaty forehead.

Vessel averts his gaze, unable to meet III's eyes when he knows they've hit the nail on the head once again. When Vessel becomes vulnerable, and shares things about himself, they seem to be able to pick up on more than what is said.

"I mean it. I really do. I promise." And Vessel does.

He means it with his entire heart and soul. Vessel didn't know sex could be... didn't know sex could feel good. So, so good. Vessel wants more, wants to feel III inside him again, needs to. Needs it like breathing. Needs III's lips on his and their cock ruining him.

Vessel didn't think he would ever want to have sex, let alone multiple rounds of it. II and III were so different from everyone else Vessel had ever known, you'd think he would no longer be surprised by it. When they first started this encounter, Vessel only agreed for III's benefit. It very quickly became something Vessel enjoyed too, and this dubious consent turned into enthusiastic consent very quickly, whether III knew or not.

"Can... we go again?" Vessel asks, after a moment, a blush staining his cheeks. "Right now?"

III stares intently for a moment, feeling down the bond and watching Vessel's face. Vessel really does want more, III realizes, as a bit of giddiness creeps up on him despite their worry. III answers by slowly sliding back in with help from his hand, watching Vessel's face crease in pleasure with a harsh breath as he writhes ever so slightly from under them, hands held close to his stomach. Even now, he makes no sound. One day, III promises, one day III will fuck Vessel so good he'll make the most beautiful sounds without being able to stop himself and they will eat it up like a man starved.

"I wonder if II ever finished that phone call." III muses, realizing they'd not seen nor heard from him since they'd come back in the house from the garden.

Oh well, unless II comes knocking, III will continue as long as they please, as long as Vessel wishes.

Vessel lets out a hum as a response that turns into a long, drawn out breath of pleasure as III uses one hand to hold both of Vessel's to the best of their ability, rubbing over a knuckle with their thumb, thrusting deep and quick while the other hand holds the headboard for stability. Again, Vessel lets out little, punctuated huffs as his face twists in pleasure, body moving with the force of III's thrusts and all III wants is to take a photo of him. Wants to worship him, caress every inch of Vessel's skin with their hands, their mouth. Lavish his body in attention. Wants to make Vessel forget every time he'd been fucked before and replace the memories with III.

III wonders sometimes if he is being too clingy, too forward, with his kisses. They ask for them all the time, especially with Vessel. With II, III can worship him however he wants. Run his hands over his arms, down his sides, touch him. With Vessel, there are so few ways to physically show just how much III adores him. Kissing him seems like all III can do, sometimes. At least now, III has this.

III fucks Vessel again and again, and the last time, as Vessel and III cum with III's breathy, overstimulated whine, III leans over close and kisses his forehead tenderly, trying to shove as much of his love into that single action as possible. III remains close as they continue slowly fucking into him with deep, slow strokes to ride out the last of his high. Vessel reacts completely out of instinct, mind muddled from the multiple rounds with barely a break between, grasping a gentle hand around III's hair and pulling his head a little to the side, sitting up with core strength alone and biting the space between III's neck and shoulder.

III moans as Vessel freezes under him, bond going a little distant to hide his distress as he tries to pull away in the sudden panic that shoots through him. His hand quickly releases III's hair, laying back on the bed, head bowed submissively to watch III through his lashes with expecting eyes.

"Do that again?" III asks gently in light of Vessel's panic as he stops moving inside of Vessel.

Confused and still panicked, Vessel very slowly shakes his head in refusal, eyes wide and alert. "Okay, Sugar, that's fine. If you ever want to bite me again, I don't mind. I really liked it."

Vessel pays very close attention to III's voice, to their bond, to see if they are lying but Vessel cannot detect an ounce of uncertainty or untruth, but he is sure he's only missing the signs due to his scattered thoughts. III's dick twitches in interest from inside of him and Vessel lets out a little pleasured, pained huff at the overstimulation it brings.

"I think I'm gonna call it quits for now, Sugar. I'm tired and you're looking a little pale. So pretty though, all fucked out." III coos at the end as they slip out, brushing some messy, sweaty strands away from Vessel's face, just to watch Vessel get all flustered.

The brat in him just can't help it. He'll say or do anything, within reason, to get Vessel to blush. He'd kept himself on a bit of a leash today, not knowing how far he could go with his brat tendencies. III isn't even sure they'd be able to explain it to Vessel, certain that Vessel had no clue what a brat even was. III himself was a little unused to topping, but they figure they can get some pointers from II. There's no way that beautiful little man isn't a top, if not a dom.

III needs to talk with II, after they clean the both of them up and get some water and food into Vessel and themself. While not needing it to survive, III figures it would help return some color to Vessel's pale, exhausted face. Anything would help, III is sure, since Vessel cannot sleep his exhaustion off.

III frowns at that thought, trying to stifle the negativity they can feel creeping up on them. Vessel didn't need to feel it. Maybe fucking Vessel a few times in one go was a bad idea, since there is no rest to be had for him afterwards.

Sitting up, III scoots to the end of their bed, stretching. They turn their head to look back at Vessel, finding him still laying down quietly, an arm over his face to hide his eyes, though III can see the bottom pair is closed. Attuning themselves to the bond the vessels share, III focuses on Vessel's specifically, finding it a mix of confused and anxious and utterly exhausted, but also happy. So happy. While the happiness III is glad for, the others worry them a bit. Maybe Vessel didn't want to have sex with III. They asked, of course they did, but did Vessel just go along with it? Damn it all to Sleep. They need to talk to II.

First, they need to clean themself and Vessel up. III's stomach and dick is covered in sticky white cum, and a brief glance shows Vessel's ass is leaking III's release. As much as III doesn't want to have to clean himself off of Vessel, it must be done. For hygiene, III pouts, standing.

"Gonna go get some water and a snack, love, you should shower. I'll bring it to you after." III urges, and Vessel hums noncommittally, bond only getting more weary.

III's frown grows, pulling their shirt, underwear, and skirt back on after wiping themself off with some tissues. He makes sure to clear it off their face before turning to Vessel.

They turn to wipe Vessel down next, his eyes still closed and breathing even. III knows he isn't asleep, couldn't even if he wanted to. Vessel's eyes blink open slowly, half-lidded and tired and bond still radiating confusion as he watches in silence as III wipes their cum off him.

"What're you doing?" Vessel asks, so quietly III is sure Vessel didn't mean to speak it aloud.

"Cleaning you up, love." III responds, not pausing in their task.

They're gentle as they wipe Vessel off, as he visibly struggles not to squirm away when III cleans off his over-sensitive dick. "There you go, Sugar."

Vessel's confusion has not left, but the happiness he has been feeling remains, stronger than his unsurety. He nods, taking his underwear from III when they hand it over. III watches as Vessel crawls to the side of the bed, sitting down to slip his underwear back on. III is so busy taking in his lithe form that he almost misses Vessel's wince of pain as he stands, stretching and yet keeping the space he takes up while doing so small.

"Do you need help?" III asks, already standing with their arm out to help Vessel walk, but the other man shakes his head quickly in refusal.

"'m fine." His voice is a little hoarse, still quieter than it's already quiet cadence, but Vessel's words are less stilted than they'd been the past day or so since his voice came back.

"If you're sure." III says lightly, fighting to keep the frown off their face.

Vessel slips his pants back on, walking with a limp out of the room. III follows, catching Vessel by the hand and pulling him back, "Can I have a kiss, Sugar?"

Vessel desperately needs III to stop asking, wants III to kiss him whenever they want, even if Vessel knows he doesn't deserve them. But he doesn't have the courage to tell III to do so, and so Vessel merely nods, leaning in as III does. This kiss is shorter than usual, but no less fierce. Once again Vessel feels consumed by III, and loves it.

"Enjoy your shower, love, I'll see you in a minute." III says, pulling away to plant a kiss on Vessel's forehead, before ever so gently taking him by the shoulders and urging him downstairs.

Vessel goes with that limp still present, and III wishes he could enjoy the fact he'd fucked Vessel so well he could barely walk, but finds himself to be more concerned than anything else. III goes to knock on II's door when he thinks its been long enough for Vessel to get down the stairs, and enters when II gives the go ahead from the other side.

"Were you listening, Doll? I like to think I put on a good show, though Ves is quiet even in bed. So pretty though. So expressive." III says, leaning against the doorframe with a sly little smile.

II's face is flushed, splayed out over his bed in nothing but a tank top and his underwear, and III is sure this is the most flustered they've ever seen him.

"You're a little brat. Did Ves give you that on your neck?" He asks, gesturing in III's direction at the teeth indents in their skin.

"I wouldn't exactly call myself little, Shortie, and yes, he did. Pretty, is it? I've not seen it yet."

Vessel blushes, continuing down the hall from where he had stopped to curiously listen to II and III's conversation, making his way to the restroom for that shower III insisted he take.

"It is, yes, and not really surprising Vessel has a biting kink." II starts, seeming to not notice III's slight against his height, but sighs after a moment, "I thought we agreed we were going to talk it over before we had sex."

III's guilt floods the bond, and he hopes Vessel doesn't take the emotion the wrong way, knowing the other can feel it. "I know, we rushed into it. He agreed before we started though."

"Did you at least set some form of safe word or color system?" At III's bond growing more guilty and the way they can't meet II's searching gaze, II frowns in clear disappointment.

"Such a brat." II admonishes again with only a little heat, "Those are important. Did anything happen that you think Vessel might have needed to safe-word out of?"

"He explained some stuff about his first partner." III tells II what Vessel had said about his first partner, frowning, "He did look a little freaked out after he bit me though. I tried reassuring him over it, but I'm not sure the message got through to him."

"Three, this is why we needed to have a conversation about it before we actually had sex with each other." II groans, burying his face in his hands before looking back up in exasperation, "Did he seem okay when you left just now?"

"I mean, I think so? A little confused when I cleaned the both of us up. Seemed alright when I said I was gonna get a snack and some water."

II sighs again, beckoning III closer from where he has remained laid out on the bed. He smiles as III climbs onto the bed curiously, sitting on their heels beside him. One hand reaches up, caressing III's jaw, tracing their swollen lips with a thumb. One hand goes to wrap around their nape, pulling him down into a kiss as II sits up to meet him. "Good boy for taking care of him. I'm proud of you. You're to come back here, tonight." II orders, and III's eyebrows raise in incredulity.

II hurries to correct himself, "Only if you want to, of course."

"I was planning on that anyway?" III says, confused.

"Not to sleep, sweetheart. Not at first, at least."

"Oh. Oh."

After III realizes what II meant, excitement starts to buzz under their skin. "We're talking with Vessel tomorrow, and I am a little upset at how overeager you were... but, hm... Was he as pretty as I imagine?"

"Ethereal. Like a gift from the Gods. I'll have to see if he's okay with pictures. Not right now, of course. This is still new. But in the future, maybe." III waves their hands with the words, excited at the prospect.

"I should've known you'd be into lascivious photos with what you'd said before." II hums with a smirk that puts his dimple on display. "Well, I'm not against photos as long as you behave."

"Aww, I could've gotten that photo of you flushed and spread over your bed when I came in." III whines into II's chest with a pout.

"If you're good, I may let you take one or two later. Now, off with you. You need a shower and Vessel should be done."

"Fine." III drags out the word dramatically, pulling away from II with one last kiss, pulling gently on his lower lip as he goes.

II's amused laugh as he picks up his phone follows III out of the room. III makes his way down to the kitchen, humming the whole way. He can hear the water running from down the hall, turning just in time to watch Elvira chase a spider down that direction, and gets to work on figuring out what snack to bring Vessel. While they do so, they hear the water turn off and the bathroom door open. Like usual, Vessel's feet make no sound as they tap along the floor, but he does leave an accidental trail of water droplets, hurriedly wiping the mess up before escaping upstairs.

III knocks on Vessel's door, finding it unlocked when Vessel calls out a quiet 'come in.' In their arms is a couple water bottles and the same amount of granola bars.

Vessel is drying off his hair more thoroughly when III steps through the door, and his middle pair of eyes slides over to him when the door creaks open.

His shirt is yet to be worn, sitting in front of him. All he is wearing is a pair of pajama pants with the band peaking over the waist and a pair of pink socks covered in pale blue jellyfish. He looks beautiful, III thinks as they walk forward to place their items on the bed.

"Can I kiss you?" III asks, and smiles in amusement when Vessel lets out a quiet huff of mock irritation.

"Yes." He replies, and III leans down to do just as they had requested.

They keep it short, pulling away to shove a granola bar into Vessel's hands. "You're still pale, Ves. Eat this."

Vessel nods, and as III lays over his bed beside Vessel, kicking his feet in the air absentmindedly as they scroll on their phone, Vessel contemplates something as he chews.

"Can you..." Vessel swallows a bite, then continues, "Can you braid my hair?"

III lights up, "Of course, Sugar, let me go get- Oh. Thank you."

III sits up quickly to go get a couple rubber hair ties, but is stopped short when Vessel pulls some from the pocket of his pajama pants. They sit behind Vessel, brushing through his hair with gentle hands to make sure there are no knots that Vessel might have missed, and then begin braiding Vessel's hair.

III takes his time, being careful with every strand of hair they pull into the braid so that they don't tug on Vessel's scalp. Vessel has become putty in their hands, leaning back towards III and eyes fluttering like he could fall right to sleep. Of course, sleep does not come for him, but he sits in the drowsiness anyway. Enjoys the way III's fingers ran through his hair, the way III would lean forward at random to kiss Vessel's bare shoulder. The shiver that would travel down Vessel's spine at the warm breath against his skin, every time, without fail.

If III wanted to take him right then, Vessel would let him, eagerly.

Vessel is confused when after III finishes braiding his hair, III doesn't ask for sex again. Is that not what he came to Vessel for? Is that not why he stayed after bringing the snacks? Vessel is confused when III simply wants to hang out as they each do their own thing, sitting beside each other on Vessel's bed as he reads and III scrolls through memes and funny videos on their phone, occasionally showing him the ones they deem peak comedy. III's curls tickle Vessel's nose from his heads place on Vessel's shoulder. Vessel is content to let III stay there for as long as they wish, no matter how confused Vessel has become.

None of his other partners ever came to simply exist with him after they'd had their fill of Vessel's body. They always rejected any of Vessel's attempts, and when he got with his third partner, he had stopped trying to ask for affection after sex even if he ached for it. For it to be so freely given, for III to simply turn their head to place a kiss against Vessel's shoulder at random- Its jarring.

It makes Vessel feel warm inside.

III leaves just before dinner to take a shower, parting from Vessel's side with a kiss to his forehead and a loving goodbye tossed over their shoulder as they bounce out of the room. Over dinner, Vessel does not miss the glances III keeps sending II as he reads through a book on physics. Does not miss the frustrated, flustered blush spreading over II's face as III does something with their socked foot under the table. Startles when III yelps, knee banging into the table and shaking the liquid in their cups after II kicks him hard in the shin.

"Please stop that." II demands in a calm voice, and Vessel turns all six eyes to glance nervously back and forth between II and III.

III smirks, acquiescing easier than II expected. II narrows his eyes as III goes back to eating, a mischievous grin on their face. Vessel can only continue watching in confusion, as nothing seems to go the way he thought it would. There was no fight or argument, and II didn't even seem genuinely upset by whatever it was III was doing.

These two are nothing like any partner Vessel has ever had, and his head can't quite seem to wrap around that information. Maybe it's different because there's three of them, all dating each other. Maybe it's different because they are all no longer completely human. Maybe its different because Sleep brought them all together. Whatever it is, Vessel cannot seem to process it.

When dinner is over, II and III offer for Vessel to join them in the living room for a movie. He politely declines, leaning into the kisses they give his cheeks and shyly echoes their 'I love you's, and heads off to the practice room to continue writing that song he had been working on.

Vessel realizes, as he sits down at his piano, guitar in hand and journal placed beside him with its pen, that he had had his first date today.

A smile pulls at his cheeks subconsciously, and for the umpteenth time that day, Vessel feels warm. Feels cared for. Feels... wanted.

::

III can barely pay attention to the movie playing on the TV. He is hyper aware of every brush of II's thigh against their own, hyper aware of II's hand on their thigh that squeezes every so often.

III, in their impatience, keeps messing idly with the braid in their hair, pulling at it and turning it around and around their finger until the rubber band snaps. The sound startles III and he jumps, which doesn't escape II's notice.

"Just can't wait for me to fuck you, can you Three?" II says, pausing the movie with an exasperated sigh that III can tell is lighthearted.

"So impatient." II states, standing as III laughs.

III's laughter is abruptly cut off when II reaches down and pulls them up by their arm and into a searing kiss. Its adorable that III has to hunch over so far just for their lips to meet, even if II gets on his toes.

"We have to talk to him tomorrow about the sex. As good as this is gonna be, sweetheart, we shouldn't be doing this either, but someone's impatient and can't keep their dick in their pants. And I'm weak to your hypnotizing wiles."

III pouts as II leads them up to his room, "I said I was sorry. You're both just irresistible. I couldn't help myself."

"I know you're genuinely apologetic, Three, but we need to be careful with Vessel. Our relationship is still so new, and he has shared so little of what his past ones were like. We should have been more careful."

"I know. I would have stopped if he'd asked it of me. I probably should have anyway, but I think he's still hiding his emotions away. He kept any indication of discomfort well away from my notice, except for what I've already mentioned, and he'd asked me to continue. Asked for more, even. I know for a fact he was genuine in that. Any hesitation was at the beginning."

III lets their words sit in the air, watching II idly pace the length of his floor.

II sighs, running a hand through his hair. "It seems the only way to get Vessel to tell us anything is if we make him feel like he has to. I hate it. I want him to trust us enough to tell us when he is ready, but I know he will only keep everything that hurts him inside so we never have to see it."

"We don't ask him about his past, Doll, but for things like sex, this is stuff we need to know so we don't hurt each other."

"I know, I know. We only sat down for that conversation about that sleeping ability that isn't his because he was hurting, changing himself for us."

III let's II pace for only a minute longer before stalking forward. They take his hand in theirs, halting any further movement as II stops to look at him. "You need to relax now, Doll. Use me to de-stress."

II sucks in a shaky breath, and lets the rest of his anxiety out on the exhale. III is right. Things will go alright tomorrow, they'll explain things if Vessel is confused about anything. It'll be okay. It always ends up okay, as long as they have each other.

II nods, and reaches out with his available hand to pull III down into a chaste kiss.

"Get on the bed, sweetheart. And close the door behind you, open just a crack in case Vessel wishes to join, if he has the courage at this stage." II says, turning on the bedside lamp and fixing the sheets.

III watches II to make sure the other is really okay, before nodding in return, bringing up a playful smile.

"Who made you the boss?" III taunts, smirking as they move to get on the bed as requested after completing their given task.

II raises an eyebrow, a slow smile spreading across his face to reveal his single dimple as he watches III mess up the sheets he just fixed. Oh, II sees how it is. He should've known. Especially after how knowing III had looked when II had called them a brat earlier.

III climbs onto the bed just as II asked, but then they stand, needing to duck to avoid hitting their head the ceiling, smiling all the way.

At II's other eyebrow raising in incredulity, III responds innocently, "You said to get on the bed."

"Yes, well, lay down now." II demands, moving forward slowly like a predator eyeing its prey, catching the mischievous glint in III's eyes.

III eyes him for a moment, considering, then says with a wider smirk than before, "No. I don't think I will. I quite like it up here. You're even smaller from this angle."

II contemplates how likely it is that III will bang their head or something on the way down before grabbing their calf, pulling them down and towards II. They let out a small shout of surprise, landing on the bed with a laugh.

"You asshole!" They exclaim, before pausing, letting go of their snark for a moment, "I mean that lightheartedly, lovingly."

"I know you didn't mean anything by it. Of course you'd be the type to curse at someone as a term of endearment." II chuckles, grabbing III's other calf as they try to wiggle away futilely.

"Finally letting yourself show just how much of a menace you are, huh Three?" II croons with clear affection, using one hand to pin III's arms above their head.

"Is this okay?" II asks, tapping III's clasped hands with a finger in question.

III nods, but II isn't satisfied. "Use your words, Three."

"Yes."

"Good boy." II says, and III feels a zing of arousal shoot through him.

Damn, no wonder Vessel seemed to like being called good. It felt amazing. Especially coming from II.

"Now stay still. Do not move an inch, Three." II commands, and III nods.

"Words, pretty."

"You can't use that term on me, I use it on Ves." III frowns in mock irritation.

"You're both pretty, Three. Would you like me to stop calling you that, though?"

"No... I like it." III refuses to meet II's searching gaze, pout still present.

II wants to kiss it off of him, and so he does, nipping gently at III's lower lip with his teeth.

"Alright, pretty. Now, do not move, understand?"

"Yes."

"Good, Three."

II takes his shirt off, exposing the golden filigree markings just below their collarbones, the only other marking he gained from Sleep aside from the ones on his arms and legs. Realization dawns on III slowly as they notice how II's markings, the black of his forearms and up his calves do not travel as far up the limbs as it does on III or Vessel. It must be a byproduct of not eating the entirety of the apple of Eden, the reason II did not get more than superhuman strength and a weapon as his gifts.

III is only given a moment to ogle II and his beauty, the visible strength in the muscles of his arms from rigorous drumming, before II is on top of III, strong thighs caging III in as II straddles them. II has divested himself of his pants too, III realizes, as his boxers strain from the hard line of his cock. Arms on either side of them to serve as further entrapment, II says sternly, "I'm going to keep this nice and simple. We're using the color system tonight. Do you know it?"

III nods, meeting II's eyes with a mischievous glint.

"Words, Three." There's a hard edge to II's voice that III is going to enjoy hearing more of.

III laughs, wiggling out from under II. They both know II allowed it. They both enjoy it when II reaches out and grabs III by the calf again, pulling them back and grabbing their shoulder. II wrestles III under him, superior strength making it easy. The first thing II notices are the markings spread over III's back, creeping over their shoulders to their collarbones, like Vessel's own markings. II is fascinated by the markings fanning out over their back, crawling up their spine in swirls of black ink, his skin adding the detailing of moving flame with a few little golden question marks swirling throughout. The flame seems to flicker and change before II's eyes, ever shifting. He watches as one of the question marks fades like smoke, reappearing upside down.

II takes in the beautiful sight below him, and the red sigil right above III's tailbone with excitement, color system momentarily forgotten. "Three, sweetheart, I found your mark from Sleep, among other things."

"Really?" III exclaims, squirming in II's hold. "Where is it?"

"Stop moving, pretty. I'm trying to take a photo."

III pouts for a second before a grin spreads across their cheeks. III presses his ass right up against II's cock, grinding on it just to frustrate II. "You're being bad, sweetheart." II warns, trying to keep the phone steady and focused on the sigil.

"What are you going to do about it, Doll?" III smirks as II just takes a photo, not caring if its blurry or not as he tosses it somewhere on the bed.

The expression is quickly wiped off his face as a hand tangles in their hair and pulls back harshly, straining his neck. III grunts as II presses close, "Punish you, honey."

II loosens his grip a little, leaving a little more leeway between his fingers and III's scalp, "Not pulling too tight, am I?"

"No... Sir." III tests out the name, knowing they chose right when a spark of arousal shoots down II's bond. "Thanks for asking. You can pull a bit harder if you want." II does not respond, only does as requested, and enjoys the breathy little groan it pulls out of III.

"Perfect." He moans, and II revels in the sound, leaning over to trail kisses down his spine.

"While you didn't respond verbally like I asked, you did show you knew the color system. I expect you to use it if I do something you don't like or aren't sure about." II states, pulling just slightly harder on III's hair to elicit another moan.

"I'm going to get you ready to take me, sweetheart. You will tell me to slow down, or go faster. Whether I listen is up to how good you are, how well you beg. You will tell me if you even slightly slip into the yellow stage. I will stop and we'll talk over what made you feel that way. Alright, sweetheart?" While II is speaking, his fingers have been slowly tracing down III's spine, along the vertebrae and down his tailbone.

"Yes, sir."

II groans, cock kicking at the term so he shoves it right up to III's ass to grind against for more friction. "Good boy."

II pulls away enough to prod at III's hole with a finger, "Have you ever bottomed during sex with a man before?"

II slips one finger in as III responds, then another, "I think so, though I obviously don't remember faces or names. I usually only bottom."

"Good, so you know what it feels like to take a cock." II hums, thrusting his fingers slowly.

III's answer agreement is breathless, his own arousal heightened by being able to feel II's.

"Tell me, sweetheart, did you open Vessel up just like this?" II asks, scissoring his fingers just once and relishing the moan III lets out.

"N-not quite. Too eager. Finally had him under me. Wanted to be inside him so badly." III grinds back into II's fingers after a particularly rough thrust.

Fuck, II wants to hurry and fill III up.

"Stay still."

III lets out a whine when II suddenly removes his fingers, the warmth of his body pulling away as III's body falls softly down to the bed. He turns his head to see where II has gone, finding him slipping his underwear down his thighs.

III's eyes immediately fall to rest on II's thick cock, hard between his legs.

"Do you think you're ready to take me now?"

"Yes, sir." III responds obediently, tearing their eyes away to meet II's soft blue's, staring down at him so lovingly that III can't help the adoring smile that pulls involuntarily at his lips.

"Kiss me, please, sir?" III asks, as II crawls back onto the bed, lifting III's hips back up, level with II's dick.

"Of course, pretty, since you asked so nicely." II responds, gently taking one side of III's face to pull him over just enough for their lips to meet.

"I love you." II says into III's mouth, pulling away.

"I love you, too, Doll. Now, please fuck me." III smiles, which then turns into a wry smirk.

"With pleasure, brat." II lines himself up before he speaks again. "Describe it to me. Tell me what he looked like when you creamed inside him."

"He- His eyes- They rolled upwards-" III moans at the slow stretch of II's girthy cock filling them up, "Glowed when he came all over my stomach. Sleep, he was so pretty. Covered in gold from his tears- Agh."

II sinks in as far as he can go on a low groan at just the thought of Vessel below III. Fuck, II wants to see it.

II starts up a slow pace, strong hands holding III still with ease. Every moan that he pulls from their lips is labored, and fuck, II loves how vocal III is.

"He must have been a sight." II murmurs, leaning down to mouth at III's nape after pushing his hair aside.

"Jealous I was the first to see him that way?" III muses, grunting when II reaches around III's hip to grab their dick.

"Why would I be? I'm the first to see you this way. Moaning under me as I ruin you on my cock. You're currently getting the most, though, out of the three of us. Fucked or been fucked twice already." II smiles in faint amusement, not really dejected as III moans from below him.

II would have waited for Vessel forever if III hadn't come along and stolen II's heart too, hadn't come along and been the catalyst for all three of them finally getting in a relationship. What's a little more waiting for sex, if Vessel even wants to have sex with him, in the face of their foreseeable future as lovers? II gets to kiss Vessel... He gets to love him as he wanted, gets to tell him whenever he wants.

II grinds his cock into III a little deeper and they writhe, completely losing the last shred of any snark they'd had when they started.

II keeps a careful eye on the bond he shares with III. Its useful, II finds, to tell when III is getting close to cumming. It allows II to stop thrusting right before he or III falls over that edge and II basks in it, thanking Sleep for the bond.

II makes a game of it, fucking into III just until the other is about to cum, then pulling out nearly to the tip. II revels in the begging that follows, only starting up his thrusts again when III's voice gets suitably desperate, clawing at the sheets with tears in their eyes.

II loves the way III feels around him, slowly stroking their dick in hand, just enough stimulation to keep them at the edge of release as he slows his thrusting down again.

"Color, honey?" II asks, stopping his thrusts entirely.

It takes III a moment to open their eyes, lost in the way II feels inside him. He pants against the pillows, sweaty hair sticking to his forehead. "G-green."

"Good boy." II praises, leaning over to place a kiss into their shoulder.

He pulls out nearly all the way, shoving himself back in before starting a slow pace, watching the red sigil directly above III's tailbone shimmer in the low light. "You're going to explain the color system to Vessel. Got it, sweetheart?"

"Mm." III hums, blinking to get rid of some of the stars dancing in their vision, "Yes. Sorry, didn't mean to forget."

"Apologize to Vessel, not me, honey." II continues fucking into III slowly, building upon the orgasm he can feel nearing. "The color system is important for setting boundaries."

II stops moving, ignoring III's desperate begging for him to continue, ignoring the placating apologies so that II will continue, though II knows III really does mean them. II is well aware III regrets not talking things through with Vessel, but they were clear that Vessel wanted it, for sure, after they started. Its that initial hesitation, what Vessel said to them after the first go... the brief stint of panic that II felt from Vessel before it was smothered completely that worries II.

"You've came enough today. You should've listened to me." II admonishes, and III lets out a pitiful whine in response as II pulls out and away.

III whines again, rutting their cock into the bed for any sort of friction.

"You're not allowed to get yourself off either, sweetheart." II states, reaching down and pushing III into the bed with a hand over the sigil on their lower back, holding them there. "I'll know with the bond, so don't even think about trying. And please, do not do as Vessel does and hide it." II tries to keep his tone light at the end, but isn't sure he managed.

III lets out a moan that is a mix of distress and pleasure as II's hand keeps them from moving but also sends lightning up their spine and straight down to their cock, rock hard and aching trapped between their own body and the bed. "Oh, the sigils cause pleasure." II notices, rubbing a gentle thumb over one of the lines that makes up the outer part of the rune.

III moans again, louder this time as they try to move under the hand holding their hips down. "I said no, Three."

"I'm going to have to teach you to have more patience. This is just sad, sweetheart. Color?"

"Green, damn you. This is just mean." III groans, head pillowed on their arms as they pout.

"If you do as I ask, I'll let you cum tomorrow." II says, wiping himself off with a towel he'd gathered just for this, though there wasn't much to wipe away in the first place.

"Can I get you off at least?" III asks, hair splayed out around him as he looks back and up at II, the picture of beauty.

"You don't have to. I went into this with the full intention of neither of us cumming tonight. Unlike you, sweetheart, I have patience."

"So you're into edging, got it." III smirks, "I'll keep that in mind. Never tried it before, until today that is, but it has seemed to give me some kind of rush."

II reaches down and pinches III's cheek, pulling at the flesh until III whines playfully, words coming out a little off, "Owie. Stop that."

"Drink this, pretty. Your voice is a little hoarse." II grabs a water bottle off his nightstand, twisting off the cap and handing it to III.

III winces as they sit up, turning to lean against the headboard, taking small sips. He picks up II's phone to look at the most recent photo, finding his own smirking face staring back at him, but its the markings over their back that catches III's attention. Sleep really gave III some beautiful markings, but they can't help but wonder what is up with all of the question marks?

III looks up just in time to catch sight of it while II slips on his shirt. Resting between II's shoulder blades, below his nape, is a red sigil. Sleep's symbol, a visual representation of II's ability to turn his drumsticks into axes, of his unnatural strength. Parallel to the sigil, on either forearm is the same type of marking on his collarbones, golden filigree wrapped around each bicep like an arm band. III had already known of the arm bands, how could they not, when II had been walking around in tank tops as the weather warms. The sigil though, is a surprise, despite all three vessels having one. It was only a matter of time before their locations became known.

III lifts up II's phone to take a picture of his back, "Hold still, Doll."

II does as asked, turning around with an eyebrow raised in question when III gives him the go ahead to move. III shows II the sigil, and takes the ensuing hum as all the response they're getting.

"Hey, Doll, do you think you could teach me how to top? I'm not experienced in it. I want to make sure I'm treating Vessel right."

"Sure, honey. Its probably best all three of us are there for it. We'll talk about it after tomorrow, okay?"

"Yes, sir, thank you." III nods in agreement, already excited at the prospect of having a threescore.

"You don't need to call me that outside of scenes, Three. I don't require it." II says as he slips his sweatpants back on.

"I don't mind using it sometimes outside of the bedroom." III assures, a little embarassed to admit it, "And I like you calling me a good boy. I wasn't sure I would, since I don't use exclusively male pronouns, but I like it."

"Alright, sweetheart, thank you for telling me. I'll be right back. Do you care what pajamas I grab?" II leans over the bed as best he can to kiss III's cheek, before heading towards the door.

"Oh, you don't have to-" III starts, but II only waves him off, "Fine. Um, just a tank top and shorts is fine."

II leaves, coming back with a tank top as requested, and III's shortest pair of shorts. A blush spreads over III's cheekbones as they slip them on with some difficulty.

"Did you have to grab this pair?" III mutters in light exasperation.

II climbs back into bed with III, plopping himself down onto III's chest as the taller man lets and an 'oof!'

"You walk around with your midriff exposed, sweetheart. Its not so unusual I want to see a bit more thigh than usual, now that I've gotten to see all of you." He smirks, "I love your body."

"I love yours too." III says as he hides their face in II's hair, kissing the crown of his head.

III wraps their arms around II as he listens to III's heartbeat below his ear, content to simply bask in each other presences.

"We need to go buy lube." III pulls away after he deems it enough time after the last conversation had petered out.

"We'll go into town within the next few days. You should rest, Three. You really wore yourself out on Vessel."

"Is that why you went easy on me?" III gripes, pushing their hair back from their face.

"Oh, not at all. I just wanted to watch you squirm." II laughs, reaching up to hold one side of III's face tenderly.

"You're so mean to me." III sulks, leaning into the touch.

"You're a brat." II refutes, big tired eyes soft with affection.

"Should we go see if Vessel wants to join us?"

"No, let's leave him be. He seems pretty concentrated over the bond. Must be working on something. The door is cracked if he wants to join later." II replies, yawning as he snuggles into III's chest.

They fall asleep wrapped in each others arms. They do not wake all night, resting peacefully and exhausted. No movement disturbs them, no silent steps treading over the flooring to climb into bed. Vessel does not join them, instead working on his music well into the morning, deep in thought. The day has given him much to think about.