Cinder groaned and shifted on a soft surface. His body was aching, his skull mostly, it was what woke him. The pounding that resounded in his head was akin to someone banging on a drum with his ear right next to it. Cinder reached up and rubbed the heel of his palm against the side of his head. As his groggy mind started to catch up, he opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling. A couple of lamps were splashing their pale yellow glow across the walls, creating shadows in the room. 

"Fuck," he groaned. 

"Cinder!" The higher pitched tone that called his name had Cinder wincing as it worsened the headache. Rubbing at his eyebrows, he turned to look for who called him, though the voice was very familiar. 

"Lyn. What the hell happened? Where are we?"

Lyn released a huff of air as if he'd been holding it that entire time. He draped himself across the bed and was silent for a long time. When he spoke, his voice was muffled as he kept his face pressed against the sheets. "Wow. You scared the hell out of all of us. Well.... Mostly Kydyn. Another day or two and I don't think anyone would be safe from him. He just about lost it after Jika said he couldn't do anymore. And even then, Jika collapsed a couple times healing you—" 

"Wait, hold on," Cinder cut him off. Whatever Lyn was talking about, Cinder didn't understand a word of it. Well, he got the gist of it. Jika healed him, apparently. But that didn't explain to him where they were or what happened after he passed out. "I remember falling into the hole and something grabbing me and then trying to eat my fucking leg off. Kydyn pulled me out and then... something about grey magic being forced into me." Cinder shook his head, his memory was too fuzzy.

"Sorry." Lyn straightened off the bed and ran his fingers through his hair, tugging it back as he took several deep breaths. Cinder watched him, waiting for the story to come out of the enchanter's mouth. "Okay. So. We lost you and Kydyn. Syl thought you guys got caught in the magic. Jika and I wanted to go back and get you but she said it was too dangerous. Jika was arguing with her and by the time he basically said 'screw you' and went to go back into the station, Kydyn was hauling ass out of there with you bleeding fountains all over the place." Lyn's gaze dropped from Cinder's to where his legs were under the covers. 

"It was pretty bad. We didn't think you'd survive it. Kydyn was really pissed. And scared. I've never seen him like that before. Anyway! Jika said there was grey magic flooding your body, kinda like a poison. That's the only way I understood it. So, Syl decided that the underground hideout was too far and we ended up stealing a couple of cars. We found this house next to your parent's place. No one's living here, so we just sorta took over. And Jika spent two days healing you. He got all the grey magic out, which was the worst of it actually. He passed out for several hours, then came back and finished healing your leg, and dropped a second time. I swear Kydyn was about to skin someone alive at that point."

"Holy shit."

Lyn shook his head. "Don't even start. If you apologize or even feel a little bit bad about it, I'll smack you. It wasn't your fault. We were attacked by some asshole. And they nearly succeeded in killing us all. It was just our bad luck. Not to mention Iriyn is one hell of a powerful bastard. Not like we can contend with that all that easily."

Cinder's jaw was tight as he stared at Lyn. Even if the enchanter told him not to feel bad, Cinder couldn't help it. Jika had obviously pushed himself to his limits not once, but twice for him. How could he not feel guilty? Cinder let out a heavy sigh and hauled himself up into a sitting position. Tossing the sheets back, he felt a blush creep across his face as he found himself in only his boxers. Clearing his throat, he didn't even look over at Lyn. 

White bandages were wrapped around his thigh, tight and a little uncomfortable. He rubbed his fingers on them. "That thing really fucked me up, didn't it?"

"Yeah...." Lyn answered softly, but it hadn't been a question, more of a statement that Cinder had uttered. "Most of its healed up. Jika's resting again, he'll probably be awake here shortly. In the meantime, you shouldn't push yourself. Let him finish healing the rest and then we can figure out what our next move will be. This place is only temporary and we're lucky that Iriyn hasn't found us."

"Unless he's just playing with us," Cinder said. The idea was chilling and he wished he could take his words back. 

"That too. There are quite a few things that he could be doing and we'd never know it until it's too late. Either way. I say we take it. It's a chance to rest, heal in your case, and plan. We need the breather if you ask me."

"We need a lot of things," Cinder replied. 

Lyn slapped his hands on his knees. He stood up from the chair he'd been in and stretched his body. "I'll go get Kydyn. God knows that if I don't tell him soon he'll tear this place to the ground in a childish fit. We're lucky we still have a roof."

Cinder snorted out a laugh. Lyn grinned at him before he left the room. It would be just like Kydyn to go blowing shit up because he was pissed off. He didn't want to know what the warlock was like during his unconscious state. Cinder's amusement faded as he thought about how Kydyn might have reacted to Jika's passing out after healing him. Kydyn had the shortest temperament ever. He could easily see the warlock destroying a thousand things in his anger. Or was it out of fear this time?

It wasn't long before he could hear the warlock storming toward the room. The door burst open and Kydyn's pale blue eyes were already pulsing with purple lightning. Why he was drawing on his power was beyond Cinder, all he knew was that Kydyn was clearly upset about something. He crossed the room in just a few strides and Cinder found himself pushed down against the mattress. Kydyn hovered over him, eyes dark with a chaotic mix of emotions while he glared at Cinder. 

"Fucking took you long enough!" he snapped and before Cinder could retaliate with his own angry reply, the warlock had his mouth trapped. The kiss was nearly bruising. Kydyn didn't let up though. He opened his mouth and ran his tongue along Cinder's lips until Cinder let him in. Kydyn was masterful at making Cinder melt under him. When Kydyn finished kissing him, Cinder was completely breathless and panting to try to get it back. His groin was hot, too. For a moment, he was thankful that he didn't have any pants on because they would have gotten in the way.

"Kydyn," Cinder breathed his name.

"You scared the living hell out of me."

"I... what?" 

Kydyn had buried his head against Cinder's neck and refused to move from that spot. His breathing was just as short as Cinder's, but it felt as if it were out of fear rather than pleasure. "You fucking scared me! Do I have to say it again?"

"N-no."

"God. I swear I should just strangle you right here. You asshole."

"Hey. It wasn't like I wanted to fall in a fucking hole."

"I know that," Kydyn's soft answer startled Cinder. It wasn't like the warlock to be so complacent. He was used to the harsher edges that made up who Kydyn was. "I know that. It seriously scared me. I thought—I thought I was going to watch you die. I can't. Do that."

Cinder bit his lip hard enough that it hurt. He tilted his head back and tried his best not to let Kydyn feel his shaking. He wanted to cry with how vulnerable Kydyn was sounding. Hell, he was almost certain the warlock was crying. Kydyn moved just a little bit and Cinder felt a cool wetness on his neck beginning to dry. 

"I'm sorry," was all Cinder could think to say.

"You should be," Kydyn replied, sounding put out. "Fuck. How many times am I going to watch you lie in a bed and worry if you're going to wake up or not?"

Cinder shook his head and couldn't help the small smile. "Hopefully this is the last time. It's not like I plan this shit. Really, I don't."

"Oh I'm sure you do plan it. Sneaky bastard. You do it on purpose."

"Only to piss you off," Cinder said, his smile growing as he watched the top of Kydyn's head. 

The warlock lifted up off of him and glared at him. If he'd been crying, the only evidence to it had dried on Cinder's neck. "Oh really? You enjoying making me angry?" Kydyn's words didn't match the amused look in his eyes. 

Cinder tilted his head to the side. "Only because you look hot when you're pissed."

That earned him a wicked grin. "So, the princess admits it."

"Don't call me that."

"You like it."

"Not really," Cinder said with a frown.

Kydyn snickered at him. "No? Then how about doll? Or pretty boy?"

"How about none of those?"

"Babe?"

Cinder paused. "I might consider that one."

"Again with the jumping," Jika's voice broke their banter. 

Cinder rolled his eyes and looked away. His face was hot and the last thing he needed was to be blushing like an idiot with the two of them in the room. Kydyn, on the other hand, was right back to his old self as he shot Jika a cold look. "Honestly. You have the worst fucking timing. Yeah, I'm planning on fucking him. Mind going away?"

Cinder tensed and found something else to look at. Anything at all so long as it wasn't Jika or Kydyn. So blunt... he thought with an inward groan. The least Kydyn could do was be discreet about it. 

"Do it after I finish healing his leg, you idiot. Do you want him in pain instead?"

Kydyn didn't have anything for that. Cinder was sure it had happened once before. It was so rare for the warlock to have nothing to say in response. Cinder rolled his eyes as he sat up again. Kydyn had backed away, arms crossed over his chest. He was glaring at Jika, but the frown on his face wasn't out of pure anger. Cinder found it rather cute. Instead of being intimidating, he was almost like a pouting child. 

Jika didn't spare him a single glance as he came over and sat in the chair that Lyn had occupied earlier. Dragging it a little closer, he leaned forward and put his hands on Cinder's thigh. The druid worked to undo the bandages, being gentle with the wounded leg. It didn't hurt all that much, which was a miracle because Cinder could clearly remember being blinded by how awful it felt to be made a chew toy. 

"S-so," Cinder's voice cracked and he cleared his throat. "Lyn said there was grey magic."

Jika nodded. "There was, but I removed it. I don't know how far you've moved on the spectrum. Hopefully not far. I treated that first."

"Then we'll just have to put him back where he was," Kydyn said.

"If it helps, I don't feel any different," Cinder added. He looked over Jika's shoulder at Kydyn who refused to meet his gaze. 

"Great, then you're still a dumbass flailing around. Good to know."

"You're such a fucking prick."

"What else is new, babe?"

Cinder bit his lip. Glaring at Kydyn, he fought the urge to say a ton of other things. Jika's healing helped to turn his thoughts from picking a fight with Kydyn too. It wasn't painful, the healing process, but it wasn't pleasant either. Feeling the wounds pull together at a faster pace than was normal had him cringing on the bed. Cinder looked down at his leg and had to turn away at what he saw. Jika had unwrapped the wounds completely. He was well underway in healing them when Cinder chanced a quick glance. The skin pulling together made his stomach churn. Thankfully Jika didn't have much left to heal. 

He was done in minutes and Cinder found it easier to breathe. Once he pulled away, Cinder looked at his leg again. The wounds were completely gone with no sign of them ever being there in the first place. Jika was certainly a miracle worker no matter how much he denied it himself. Cinder turned to the druid and smiled. "Thanks, Jika."

"You're welcome. I'm just glad I was able to heal you in time. You gave us all a good scare."

"Yeah, so I've heard," Cinder answered as he looked away. It was still a little hard to believe that he'd terrified Kydyn. That was nearly impossible to do, or so he thought. 

"Rest up. We're safe where we're at. Syl's got a meal going, it'll be ready in about an hour," Jika said as he stood up from the chair. 

"You alright?"

"I'm fine. That was nothing compared to the first two sessions. Don't worry about me." The druid exited the room, leaving Cinder and Kydyn alone. It was a little strange being in the room with Kydyn and half naked to boot. Grumbling to himself, Cinder slithered down under the bed sheets and drew them up until they were under his chin. He had every intention of going to sleep and resting like Jika had ordered. Kydyn, however, had other plans it seemed as he climbed up on the bed and straddled Cinder. 

"What are you doing?" Cinder asked, glaring at him as he clenched the sheets tightly. 

"Exactly what it looks like. You've come close to getting yourself killed so many freaking times that I'm pretty sure if I don't take a little initiative here, I won't get to enjoy you."

"What?" Cinder squeaked the question, almost shouting it. His voice pitched far too high for comfort and cracked on the single word. 

Kydyn grinned. "Oh, that I like. Flustered and blushing. Sexy."

"Shut up!"

"Sure, so long as my mouth gets to do something to be occupied long enough not to piss you off."

Cinder could feel the heat of his blush growing warmer. He hated how Kydyn managed to make him like that so easily. It was almost like magic. Maybe it was. Maybe Kydyn was weaving his spells as he spoke to make Cinder fall prey to him. Because it sure as hell wasn't his charm that was making Cinder's body heat and his blood flowing in the wrong direction. 

It took one yank on the sheet to get it out of Cinder's grip. Kydyn sat back and pulled the blanket out of the way entirely. Cinder was too late in putting his hands down over his crotch. The warlock's grin was wider as his eyes swept Cinder's body. 

"Nice."

"Nice?" Cinder repeated, feeling oddly offended by the description.

"Not enough? Should I call you sexy? Though when I said 'nice' I wasn't referring to your sex appeal. I was talking about your dick. Hard already. I'm good."

Cinder groaned and the half started arousal nearly deflated. "You're such a fucking douchebag. Honestly, when are you not a selfish bastard?"

"I'm about to show you exactly when I'm not selfish. So shut up and fucking enjoy yourself."

Kydyn unzipped his jacket and shrugged it off. Cinder found himself caught up in watching the warlock undress himself. His pale blue eyes were languid as he stared down at Cinder while he stripped. It served to make the situation hotter. Cinder's thoughts were quickly plunged into what Kydyn was going to do to him. As the shirt came off and was tossed to the floor, Cinder sucked in a sharp breath. He traced over Kydyn's torso with his eyes, following every curve of lean muscle that was bared to him. There were scars littering the pale flesh, but the most prominent was the one around his waist. It was long, from hip to hip and Cinder was certain it was a complete loop all the way around. 

He bit his lip hard as he recalled the memory that Odain had showed him. The woman latching onto Kydyn with that strange whip of hers, Kydyn's scream of pain.... Cinder tore his gaze from the scar, those were not the kind of thoughts he wanted to be thinking of right then. The moment he focused back on what Kydyn was doing again, he felt the warlock's hands on him. He jumped at the soft touch. It tickled but felt good at the same time. 

Kydyn ran his hand up Cinder's leg to curl around his hip. He hadn't removed his jeans. Cinder wondered why. He had always pegged Kydyn for the kind who jumped right into it with no foreplay. Kydyn wasn't nice enough. Or maybe he had it all wrong, backwards even. Because Kydyn's lips pressing soft kisses along his hip was going to drive him nuts. The heat of his tongue running along his skin made Cinder groan. The warlock pulled at Cinder's boxers, dragging them down just enough to follow the outline of his hip leading to his hard arousal. 

Cinder tangled his fingers in Kydyn's hair, pushing a little to try to guide him right to his erection. He wanted to feel what Kydyn's mouth was going to be like around his cock. Kydyn moved and pressed his lips against Cinder's shaft, kissing softly. Cinder bit his lip, hips arching into the teasingly soft touch. His boxers were pulled down further and he had to lift his ass to help Kydyn remove the annoying cloth that was in the way. 

His boxers were flung to the floor just like Kydyn's shirt had been. Kydyn pushed Cinder's legs open, slipping his hands under his thighs as he stretched out on the bed. Propped up on one arm, Kydyn reached with one hand and gripped Cinder's hard length loosely. His lips teased against the tip. Cinder moaned as he watched Kydyn with anticipation. Pale blue eyes lifted to meet his, a wicked grin spread on Kydyn's face right before he ran his tongue along Cinder's erection. 

Cinder shuddered, his face igniting in a hot blush both from how Kydyn looked at him and what he'd done. Kydyn's mouth slipped over the head of his cock and sucked hard. Cinder gasped. His hips bucked off the bed, thrusting his erection further in. Cinder's body felt weak under Kydyn's assault, but his muscles were contracting as he pumped his arousal between Kydyn's lips. He could feel Kydyn's tongue rubbing hard against his shaft. The hot, wet mess of lips and slick saliva had him moaning louder. 

Kydyn's name fled his mouth several times. He seemed to like the way it sounded because he purposefully played with the tender spots that had Cinder jolting and saying his name. Cinder groaned as Kydyn's hand that held his thigh moved. The warm touch slipped up to cup his ass, squeezing a little before moving to his entrance. A bit of pressure came first before a finger slid in. Cinder jumped, his body tensing as Kydyn rubbed. His finger pushed in further, followed by a second. There was a pinch of pain, discomfort flooding his pleasure for a moment as Kydyn worked to loosen him. 

He kept his mouth around Cinder's erection, sucking gently and rubbing his tongue along the head. It helped to distract Cinder from what Kydyn was doing with his fingers. At least until a wash of heat flooded him. Kydyn had found yet another sensitive place on his body and he was utilizing it to its fullest. Cinder's body trembled as Kydyn played with him. He moved his hips in time with Kydyn's fingers, his voice filling the room with his pleasure. 

Cinder could feel his orgasm starting to tighten in his groin. He wanted that heat, to have it wash over him like tidal waves. At the same time, he wanted Kydyn inside of him when it happened. His hand that had been simply gripping Kydyn's hair tightly tugged. He wanted Kydyn up over him, surrounding him with his body, pounding into him. Kydyn ignored his pleas for more, but only long enough to have Cinder just about begging for it with tears edging into his eyes. 

Then the heat was gone and Cinder was left panting on the bed, sprawled out as he blinked several times to try to clear his hazy mind. He turned his head to find Kydyn stripping from the rest of his clothes. It was only a moment before Kydyn was on the bed with him again. He tore something open and tossed the package to the floor. Cinder arched an eyebrow at him as he watched Kydyn put the condom on.

"Please tell me you don't carry that all the time."

Kydyn laughed and it wasn't the kind of mocking or cruel sound he usually belted out. It was sweeter and Cinder found that he enjoyed it a lot more. "And if I said I did?"

"Well I wouldn't be surprised," Cinder responded with a shrug but he was smiling at him too. 

"You honestly think I'm that much of an asshole?"

"You act like one."

"I suppose you have a point," Kydyn said as he leaned over Cinder. Cinder ran the length of his body with both his eyes and hands. Kydyn sighed at the touch, his eyes closing as he let Cinder touch him. "Ah, God it's been so long since I've felt like this."

Cinder's fingers twitched as he rubbed his hands down Kydyn's sides until he was curling them around the warlock's hips. "Will you tell me about it?"

Kydyn opened his eyes and stared at Cinder for a long while. The silence was hard to bare and Cinder was worried he'd asked the wrong question at the wrong time. The last thing he wanted was for Kydyn to get pissed off and then leave him to finish what was started by himself. Kydyn frowned and his jaw was tight as he looked away. Cinder's heart jumped and his chest clenched. He was afraid of what would happen next. 

Instead of leaving, Kydyn lowered himself down and kissed Cinder. A wash of relief flooded him. He opened his mouth and kissed Kydyn back. He slipped his hands up from Kydyn's waist and rubbed all the way up to his shoulders. The muscles under his fingers contracted as he passed over them and Kydyn groaned in his mouth a few times. Hooking his arms around Kydyn's neck, he moved his lower body and tried to press up against Kydyn. 

Kydyn ended the kiss as he reached down and pushed Cinder's hip against the mattress to keep him still. Cinder moaned, but didn't fight the way Kydyn pinned him. "Maybe I'll tell you. In time."

"Okay," Cinder panted out. 

"You know I care about you, right?" 

The question threw Cinder. He met Kydyn's gaze and sucked in a deep breath. Cinder wasn't sure how to answer the question. If he were honest, he'd say no. He really hadn't known that Kydyn cared because he acted like he didn't. Until just recently, anyway. The longer Cinder didn't answer, the harder it got to keep eye contact. Kydyn looked far too open. Too vulnerable. It was difficult to process because Cinder hadn't seen anything less than a guarded man who snapped at everything around him.

"Of course not," Kydyn hissed the words as he looked away, anger crossing his face. 

"I'm sorry," Cinder responded automatically without thinking of the words or why he said them. 

"No. It's not your fault. This is.... Difficult. Just know that I do. I'll try harder," Kydyn said and the way he was glaring at the wall across the room had Cinder thinking he looked like a pouting child once again. It was cute. To Cinder anyway and he didn't dare say it. "Starting with this," Kydyn added and Cinder's heart lurched. 

Kydyn tugged at Cinder's hips and pulled him up so that he was straddling Kydyn's lap. He reignited the heat that had been between them. Rubbing his erection against Cinder's, he worked slowly at making Cinder melt yet again. Cinder was lost to his touch. He was gentle and sweet, the complete opposite to how he usually was. It didn't take long to have Cinder moaning and shuddering under him again. 

Kydyn took one of Cinder's legs and gently maneuvered him into a new position. Cinder was turned sideways with one leg underneath Kydyn's legs, the other over the opposite hip. Kydyn hooked his arm under Cinder's leg and scooted forward. Cinder jumped as he felt Kydyn's erection pressing against his entrance. He was slow and gentle as he eased himself inside of Cinder. Cinder clutched the sheets tightly, panting as Kydyn entered him. The achingly slow pace was doing a million things to him. He wanted Kydyn to go harder, faster. 

Kydyn adjusted Cinder's lower half once he was all the way in. The movements had Cinder moaning into the blankets where he'd buried his face. Kydyn leaned forward and the first pump of his hips threw Cinder into blinded pleasure. Cinder felt his cock growing harder with each thrust from Kydyn. He rocked his hips with Kydyn, meeting him for each push. Cinder was trying to get him to go faster, but Kydyn was taking his time. Kydyn was quick to find what made Cinder's moaning voice louder, though. He angled for it every time and Cinder was certain his throat was going to give out first. 

Kydyn rubbed his hand up Cinder's thigh. The teasing touch added to the heat that Cinder was feeling. He clung to the mattress as he pushed against Kydyn in time with his thrusts. Cinder arched his back as Kydyn's fingers wrapped around his erection. The rhythm he had with Kydyn's thrusting faltered. Kydyn stroked his length slowly, matching his rocking hips. Cinder couldn't move any more, he was lost to the overwhelming pleasure that Kydyn was giving him. The most he could do was angle his hips to give Kydyn a deeper angle. 

Kydyn stopped moving just long enough to pull Cinder's leg from underneath his. He positioned Cinder on his knees and then continued. Cinder's moaning increased as his body tightened. He could feel his climax burning. Kydyn's fingers rubbed faster along his erection and Cinder jolted. His knees spread a little more and he thrust back on Kydyn harder. Kydyn moaned then and it was extremely sexy. Cinder wanted to hear it again.

Pushing harder against Kydyn, Cinder trembled. He was close. He wondered if Kydyn was close too. The way the warlock tightened his hand down on Cinder's hip might have been a clue, but it was hard to tell when Kydyn was focusing on pleasuring Cinder instead. The thrusts shortened as Cinder struggled to keep upright for him. Cinder tugged at the sheets as he arched his back again. His head tilted between his shoulders. As his orgasm washed over him, his moaning voice filled the room loudly before he caught it. 

He stopped moving, but Kydyn continued to pump into him. His body burned while Kydyn finished. Cinder's moaning was clipped as he rode Kydyn till his release. The warlock thrust faster that time, going deeper and Cinder groaned. Kydyn slowed his pumping hips, leaning forward and resting against Cinder's back as he pushed inside again. Kydyn moaned Cinder's name right in his ear, the sweet sound sent shivers down his spine. Kydyn wrapped his arm around Cinder's chest, holding him tightly as he came. 

The room was filled with their panting. Kydyn moved first, pulling out of Cinder and flopping over onto his back. He tugged at Cinder who fell with him without much coaxing needed. Cinder lay on his side for a while, back to Kydyn as he let his body and heart settle from the pleasure. Eventually he rolled over and sprawled himself across Kydyn's torso. The warlock hooked his arm loosely around Cinder, holding him in place. 

"Jika's going to pissed with you," Cinder said softly.

Kydyn snorted. "He's always pissed with me. Are you complaining?"

"No," Cinder answered with a wry grin. "Just saying. He said we were supposed to rest."

"Correction. He said you were supposed to rest."

"And having sex is resting?"

"I don't think I heard you say anything about hating it. In fact, I'm pretty sure you fucking enjoyed it. A lot, judging by how dirty you made the bed."

Cinder blushed. "That was not my fault! That was all you."

"I know. I'm just that good."

Cinder groaned but he didn't move from where he was laying. His head was pillowed on Kydyn's chest and it was the most comfortable position ever. Closing his eyes, he took in a deep breath. The heat between them had the smell of sex and sweat. Somehow it was intoxicating. Or Cinder was just too tired to care. He drifted into sleep just as Kydyn drew the tangled sheets up over them.