Damn it, how will I ever get out of this labyrinth?

[plaguedrat]

He's found a kind of happiness here; Rat doesn't take it for granted. People are...better here than in the West District or No. 6. He's seen them be kind in ways he's never expected. He knows this isn't necessarily an evil or bad place.

But it's still a city that stole him against his will with no way out. It's not something that sits comfortably with him, the restriction, the not knowing. He worries he'll forget that--too caught up in the distractions and pleasures of the city--and give up on himself. It's what drove him to the library today, bringing home books on Darrow's history and cartography. There's got to be something in here that will answer his questions.

If not...who knows.

So he sits on his couch, the books spread open across the coffee table.

Comments

[plaguedrat]

Rat smiles and pours shampoo into his palm, running his fingers through Grey's hair and massaging his scalp.

[silenttrainbaby]

That feels nice. So tactile, Grey still takes any touch he can. Goosebumps pop up all over his arms and shoulders and he exhales a silent sigh.

[plaguedrat]

Rat smiles and scrubs through Grey's hair, fingers winding down to the knots and tension in Grey's neck and shoulders.

[silenttrainbaby]

It's better than candy, this. Grey keeps his eyes closed, hands braced on the wall of the shower, letting Rat do with him what he will. He's more than half-hard, but it just feels so nice; he never wants it to stop.

[plaguedrat]

Rat doesn't doubt it; he's similarly tempted at the moment, but for now he focues on the tension, on scrubbing away the dirt they both pick up.

[silenttrainbaby]

Slowly, Grey's learning what it is to be clean. He raises his arms to let Rat have more access. An offering. Though he doesn't know he's doing it.

[plaguedrat]

Rat smiles and lets the water rush over their shoulders, carrying away the soap so that he can kiss Grey's shoulders.

[silenttrainbaby]

Eyes still closed, Grey reaches forward, wrapping his arms around Rat, so they can be close. So water-warmed skin can touch, press. He exhales another happy sigh as they are touching shoulder to hip.

[plaguedrat]

Rat sighs and presses into Grey's arms, knowing that there is real safety and contentment to be had for some people here. Maybe only in Grey's arms.

[silenttrainbaby]

But that's enough: Grey knows this from the train. Whatever small bit one has - one actually has a hold of - is something.

This is something.

Rat's body feels good against his and he nuzzles his cheek against the other boy's.

[plaguedrat]

He smiles and kisses Grey, only leaning back so hat he can rinse out the soap from his hair.

It feels good to be clean, to be tidy. Human.

It feels even better to share it with Grey.

[silenttrainbaby]

It's something Grey is only now learning to appreciate. He runs his hands down Rat's body, ribs, belly, hips. Bone under muscle and skin. Their bodies are alike in that way.

[plaguedrat]

They are corded and thin. Some softness has crept back into him with the readily available food, but only a little. They are both strong.

It makes the gentleness that much better.

[silenttrainbaby]

It does. Nuzzling kisses against Rat's cheek, Grey smiles as he reaches between them, knuckles brushing the near-erections he feels there.

[plaguedrat]

He nods, kisses Grey's throat and wraps a hand around them both. As he does, he looks into Grey's eyes, always checking for his response.

[silenttrainbaby]

Grey's eyelids dip with the pleasure, hips flexing to get closer. It's all right, of course. More than.

[plaguedrat]

Rat kisses him and leans them both against the wall, squeezing a little to increase the pleasure. He tilts his head, teasing kisses along Grey's throat again.

[silenttrainbaby]

That earns the softest of mewls. Grey can already feel his body tighten as the friction builds heat inside to match the out.

[plaguedrat]

Rat exhales, nipping Grey's throat approvingly. Those little sounds are precious. It encourages him on, touching him.

[silenttrainbaby]

That fire that always burns in Grey flares hotter and he wraps his calloused hand around Rat's, helping him stroke them both. His eyes are dark on his lover's face, watching, drinking in all reactions.

[plaguedrat]

That one teases a sound from him and Rat tilts his head back, giving Grey a dark, smokey look. He wants this. Them.

[silenttrainbaby]

If he suddenly decided he didn't, if he cast Grey off ... well, that idea hasn't crossed Grey's mind, it seems so strange, so foreign.

No, it is about the now, here, about how this feels, about how it feels with Rat. He grits his teeth, breathing harder through it.

[plaguedrat]

Smiling, he kisses him again, deep and warm as he tries to convey what he feels. That whatever else he doesn't trust about this place, Grey is the exception to it all.

[silenttrainbaby]

They are special, they are unique. Grey knows this. Knows that they have something that no everyone has. He gasps into the kiss as his orgasm rolls close; it's right there. Nearly upon them.

[plaguedrat]

Rat leans back, just a little just enough so that he can watch Grey's face. He wants to see him come.