Who: Jack and Kieran When: Saturday Night 11/2 Where: Wagon then the Eli
It had been a long day at the carnival, and a child vomited in one of the cabins so he took a long while at the end of his shift to clean it up before he made it back to the wagon. It wasn’t too cold here which was nice, because coming through the Midwest was starting to chill him to the bone. He climbed into the wagon, taking off his hat, and took a bottle of scotch from their stash beneath the beds. As he uncorked the bottle he looked at Jack with an exasperated sigh before taking a swig of the sweet amber liquor. He didn’t find much scotch out this way but when he did, he stockpiled as much as he could.
“Been a crap day.” He said to Jack, feeling a bit of warmth he didn’t know he needed. Kieran wasn’t often pessimistic, but the day had worn him down just like it would any other man.
—
Jack was in his chair, cleaning his brushes. He cheated a bit with a simple use of magic as he just undid the paint from them, returning them to new. As he did one of the brushes almost disintegrated in his hand- not the first time. After having time reversed on them enough times, it seemed to ‘catch up’ to it. At least the backlash happened to the brush and not him. “Shit, sorry. I sold seven pieces and made a nice take from tips, people just watching. Five of them were full oils too.” Which cost the most. “Gonna have to get some more paint soon.” He’d let Louis know before someone ran into town next.
Looking up, he sat his bunk mate and friend taking a healthy drink of scotch and arched his brow. “God Damn, you weren’t joking.” He said, putting his brushes away. “You okay?”
—
Kieran offered Jack a weary eye at him saying the lords name in vain but didn’t say anything since he’d heard it all from Kieran before. He took one more swig off the bottle before handing it to over to Jack. “Wee lad, perhaps nine or ten, gets sick all over one of the cabins. Nearly had to reupholster the whole thing the stink was so bad.”
What he’d actually used was bleach, a lot of bleach, and the chemical smell followed him still. He shrugged his shoulders and sat down on the bed, carding his fingers through his curls. “You know, sometimes I wish I could go up in the Eli, look out over the show and the whole town beyond it.” His eyes fixed to a spot on the wall, yet his imagination was at the top of the Ferris Wheel.
—
“Town might be a little far to see.” He teased. Though, the Carnival itself was kinda like its own little town. “Didja make sure t’get some grub at least?” Dinner was kinda served at one time and was there till it was gone. After than you kinda had to beg Delia or figure something out for yourself.
Jack didn’t mind the look. He went to mass on occasion, but never really minded what he said. So much of his life seemed to be against what the Bible said- his magic… and his attraction to boys and girls. He figured if there was a god, he was either going to hell- or god would forgive him when he died.
—
Jack and Kieran did not talk about religion much and even when they had it was fleeting. He might find that they have more in common about religion then it seemed. A shake of his head would indicate that he hadn’t eaten, but the thought of food still disgusted him. He saw his share fair of sick in his day, but this one took the cake so to speak. “I think if I eat anything you’ll suffer the same fate as I did today.” He joked, a hand coming out to indicate to Jack that he should drink it and pass it back.
“Scotch though, scotch is my friend and if I were ya, I’d drink it now before my Scottish fisticuffs come out.” Of course Kieran wasn’t violent, the jokes came easily around Jack, they’d been friends for over 15 years. He playfully lifted his fists and pretended to swing at Jack.
—
“Don’t make me- run over your toes.” Jack shook his head and he took the bottle and a small drink. He really had no fighting skills- not since being put in the chair. If anything he could flee easier than most with his attacker wondering where he went.
Passing the bottle back he pulled an easel and some canvas’ from the bag sitting next to him in his chair- both much larger than the bag itself. “But if you’re looking for a brawl, I’m sure there’s some who would meet you on that.” He mused, setting his bag aside once it was unpacked.
—
A chuckle bubbled up from his chest and he gladly took the bottle back. Work had been so consistent lately that they’d barely had time to have a drink together, so maybe Kieran would demand him for his time tonight by plying him with scotch. “How long’s it been since you’ve been up on the Eli, then? A decade?” Machines like the one he ran were still new to him but for Jack, they’d been around his whole life.
He let another swig of the amber liquid burn down his throat before the idea came to his head. Perhaps he was drunk or perhaps he was just in a better mood around his friend, but for now it seemed like a good idea. For now he’d keep it himself and maybe after a few Jack might agree.
—
“More than. I was thirteen- maybe.” He said. “So at least two decades.” He’d lived in Zion most his life. He barely remembered the Carnival he was born in. Every once in a while he wondered what it would be like to leave the carnival. But he got to travel- and while he didn’t always get to see much outside of the grounds he did get to meet a lot of different people. And he knew that outside Zion, he’d struggle a lot more because of his chair. He could do more, be more, be someone and independent working at the carnival. He’d never have that in the outside world.
Jack took another drink, “Lowell’s hadn’t gotten one yet, I think that was my first time on one.” He thought along. “When I was ten. Ma was worried cause I’d just got my chair and she din want me to get hurt again. But the other carnies told her she was worryin’ for nuthin. I’d never been up that high. Was fun and terrifying.”
—
A playful smirk came to his lips and he placed a hand on Jacks. Every time he touched the other man a surge of pain reduction flowed through him. It wasn’t that he did it on purpose, he just cared so much for the other man that he was always trying to heal him. “Want a go at it? I know the bloke who runs it.” He teased, accepting the bottle back before taking another swig off of it.
It was clear that the alcohol was starting to have its intended effects and Kieran relaxed into the feeling. “Come on then, should be fun.” He suggested, since Kieran wasn’t usually the one to break the rules. Why not take a night to just enjoy himself for a change.
—
“Yea?” Jack laughed. He passed rides on his way to his stall a lot, knowing he’d never be on them himself. Zion was larger than other traveling carnivals, but that was mostly because they never had to fully tear down and transport things. Sure, there were probably some circus’ that were larger- but Zion wasn’t a circus. It helped draw in the crowds. People came multiple nights so they could see everything. And ride the multiple rides. Jack would lie to say he wasn’t curious about the whip or bumper cars, but didn’t feel lacking for not riding.
But Kieran’s offer wasn’t anything he felt a need to accept or turn away. His friend wanted to have some fun, so it wasn’t the Wheel that Jack was saying yes to, but spending time with his friend. “Sure, why the hell not.” He chuckled as he grabbed his jacket off his bed and a throw. They were in the desert, so it wasn’t as cold as the snowy states but still pretty chilly and despite the alcohol and pain meds (he’d not taken that day), the cold sometimes caused him a bit of pain so the throw blanket helped.
—
His smile grew wider and grabbed his fishing sweater to pull over his head. At least it would keep him warmer than what he was currently wearing. Pulling himself out of the wagon, he grabbed the scotch and stuffed it in his pocket before helping Jack out of the wagon. “Should be fun without all the screaming children around.” He offered as he set Jack down on the ground.
Kieran began to push him in favor of letting him go himself. They were going to the same place anyway and it wasn’t difficult for him. He leaned forward to talk into Jack’s ear, almost close enough to touch and spoke low. “This stays between ya and me, alright?” He knew Jack wouldn’t tell but the innocence game kept him from remembering what transpired there only hours before.
—
It was always a big thing getting out of his wagon, or in. Having Kieran there to help- helped. Though Jack had gotten used to getting around on his own. He also didn’t say anything when the other man started to push him as he leaned back in the high back of the chair. “Who would I tell?” He asked with a laugh, holding the bottle of alcohol in his lap.
“Ya know, one of these days I’m gonna figure out how to get in and out of the wagon without help or struggling to lift my chair up the steps.” He declared. His ability to manipulate space had helped him navigate within his home and, of course, carry more than he should be able to in his bag. But he’d yet to be able to get down moving him and his chair from one place to another. Well not without trouble- and he wasn’t looking forward to replacing another door.
As they reached the large metal wheel, Jack looked up at it. He knew it was safe- there were those who consistently made sure all the rides and tents were safe and secure. Especially after each jump. Still, it was a new place. Jack had his chair and his bed- that was pretty much all he sat on. Save for those few moments he found himself on the ground. Maybe he’d become more set him his ways than he thought. He worked, drank, was out of it a bit when he had to take pain killers, ate and slept. His life didn’t have much ‘other’ in it. Sure, there were others besides Kieran he hung out with sometimes, but real adventures he’d not had in years. Seemed Kieran was looking to change that.
—
Jack, it seemed, had been robbed of a large part of his childhood. When the two had met he’d already been in the chair for some years and Kieran’s healing powers had no effect on his injury. He deserved to have some adventure after all these years. When they arrived Kieran stepped out in front of him. He had lifted Jacks body before, especially after his mother had died and he was comatose, but he knew how emasculating that could be. “I’m going lift ya into the cabin, alright?” There was really no other way to get him into it, the stairs up to the cabin itself was a bit of a challenge, not to mention getting into the cabin itself.
He kneeled down in front of Jack. “Put yer arms around my shoulders.” At least he was now a bit on the pleasantly drunk side so his body wouldn’t protest to the extra weight.
—
Jack laughed a little. “I know how it works.” He said with a nod. He had limited movement in his legs- very limited- and putting weight on them never lasted more than a second or two before they gave out, so being lifted and carried in rare occasions was something he expected. Like those aforementioned times he’d fallen from his chair and needed assistance getting back in it.
Also, he didn’t entirely mind being held by Kieran. Of course, he couldn’t admit that to his friend. Or anyone. He didn’t remember what transpired between the two of them after his mothers wake, but Kieran had been a bit awkward around him for a few days. He didn’t want that to happen again.
Jack did as instructed, trying to help as much he could- or at least not make things harder on the other man. “Be gentle.” He teased.
—
Putting his arms beneath Jacks legs, he lifted him out of his chair and climbed up the short stairs to the cabin, letting him down on the chair in the cabin. “I always am.” He replied with a smirk, letting the handle stay open for a moment while he ran to the operating board. He began working the mechanisms to get it powered up and looked up Jack with a smile before he pressed the button to get it moving.
Quickly he ran from the operating booth to the cabin and climbed in just as it was about to go up, closing the latch on top of them. A laugh bubbled up from his chest and he let his arm lay behind Jacks neck. “Let’s hope no one can see the lights.” He said, grabbing the bottle of scotch of Jacks lap to take a gulp of it.
The amber liquid burned down his throat and he felt like a child. Not that he remembered what it was like, only his imagination fueled by the faces of children at the carnival. The truth was that Kieran hoped Jack might make another move on him, remember that Kieran hadn’t exactly rejected him. Sadly, the whole interaction seemed to be lost from his memory.
—
“Or hear her going.” Jack joked. “Not that I think anyone’ll mind too much.” He said, situating his blanket over his lap. “I hear a group of rousties have a weekly bumper contest.”
Jack took his turn at the bottle, the liquid warming him. He could feel the tingling buzz that came with drink. As the wheel started to pull them backward and to the top, Jack looked down at the lot. There was a group of people in the ten in one drinking and dancing. “Seems like it was good night for some.” They also we’re probably going to all regret early mass in the morning. Thankfully Reverend Conrad tended to have late morning services. Prolly because he was down there dancing too.
—
Kieran chuckled at him, watching the drunk carnies do what they did best after the long day. Normally he might join them, but something told him a certain presence there in the form of a preacher might be present and he couldn’t handle that sort of energy right now. He’d much rather spend the time alone with Jack anyway. Over the years the two had become close and every day he found himself caring for him more and more. At least if nothing ever happened again, he’d be content in knowing that Jack was his friend.
Taking the bottle away from Jack, Kieran drank another large gulp of it, a groan escaping his mouth after he’d shot it. “I’ve been to the bumper contest, it’s madness.” He offered, letting his fingers drape down to Jacks shoulder, blindly grasping at the fabric. He didn’t even realize he’d been doing it, drunk as he was already.
—
His glanced at Kieran’s hand out of the corner of his eye. Anyone looking might wonder what was going on. “I can only imagine.” He said as they circled back around.
Jack found himself sort of sitting closer to his friend, he told himself it was for warmth. He tried to remember the last time he’d seen Kieran drink as much. Sure, drowning out the night wasn’t abnormal, but normally they didn’t start out drinking to get drunk. But that day seemed to weigh on him more. Jack remembered what that was like. Much of his early twenties were remembered through a drunken haze. “Least management decided we didn’t have to be playing in the snow.” He shrugged a bit, finding the need to fill the silence.
—
A drunken smile came to his face as he looked at Jack, closer to him than he had been before. Maybe it had just weighed on him after all this time that he couldn’t heal him. Jack had honestly become one of his best friends and the fact that all he could do was to quell his pain hurt him. He wanted his injury healed, wanted him to live a normal life, but that would never happen. “Ya know…” He said with a bit of a hiccup to follow.
“Ya kissed me. Right after you woke up from yer coma.” This time he looked at Jack, curled up slightly in his arm, his blue eyes glowing at the other man. “Must’ve been too pissed to remember.” He said, looking back down at his lap.
—
He felt a sinking feeling at the comment. He remembered the night- well the first night after he woke up where he got black out drunk. “Oh, yea? I did?” Jack asked softly. God Damn he’d really floundered that hadn’t he? “Yea, I dun remember much bout that time. Just lots of drinking.” He brushed a hand through his hair. “Sorry ‘f’I made y’outta sorts cause a’that.” Specially for someone god fear in’ like Kieran, probably crossed all sort o’lines, he figured.
—
He shook his head at Jack, watching the way he nervously brushed his fingers through his hair. “Don’t be sorry.” He began. Kieran was god fearing sure, but he knew enough that if god really looked down on it, then he wouldn’t have been an angel in the first place. “I liked it.” He finished, looking Jack in the eyes as he said it.
Maybe it was the alcohol in his veins, maybe it was because of how stressful the day had been, but he didn’t mind the truth slipping out more easily. “Ya were vulnerable, and drunk. I couldn’t do that to ya, couldn’t take advantage of yer position.”
—
It was a bit surprising- or was it? The whole thing was confusing. It was wrong- illegal in most places. But the feelings were there. And it wasn’t like any girls had paid him too much mind that he’d noticed once they’d seen his chair.
“Aye, okay.” He nodded. “And now you’re the one drunk and…” vulnerable? “I’m not a kid anymore Kieran.” Jack commented. Was it strange? His crush since he was a teen, and now he was an adult. But Kieran hadn’t changed, he’d always been an adult. —
“I know.” He replied, feeling the heartbeat he still had speed up a bit. He’d been a child it seemed for long and while he wasn’t now, Jack was still so young compared to him. There wasn’t anyone out there, besides the preacher, who could really say they had any sort of age on him anyway.
“Yer mom has just died, I couldn’t take advantage of ya like that.” His breath was coming in short spurts as he looked down at Jack. Maybe it was the liquor or maybe he’d just needed the liquid courage to finally say something.
—
He didn’t blame him. After he’d lost his mom he was in a dark place. Or at least a very lonely place. He could have ended up making some really bad choices if he’d not been round so many good folk. “And now?” Jack asked, glancing up to Kieran.
He placed his hand on the other man’s over the bottle. “I dun wanna mess shit up.” Even if the strong buzz he had seemed to tell him it all was a good idea. “‘Tween us ‘n all. But I’d be lyin’ if I didn’t admit you’re a real handsome man.”
—
A redness in his cheeks were apparent and he averted his eyes momentarily before he looked back at Jack. “I want to.” He admitted, but it was all dependent on Jack. Jack was always the deciding factor in all of this if Kieran was able to fully admit it.
A hand came to Jacks cheek and his thumb gently caressed it. Perhaps he wouldn’t have thought to make such a bold move on Jack for fear for ruining their friendship, but he’d known the man since he was a boy and could tell by now that they’d always share their friendship.
—
His heart raced at the calloused, but somehow still soft, fingers touched him. Shit. Jack found himself looking up at the man, those hypnotizing blue eyes. “An if we mess thing up?” He asked, drawing a bit closer to the man. The wheel brought them back near the bottom in another revolution of the ride and Jack was snapped out of the moment as he heard a drunk carny walking the midway. Quickly, he pulled away, heart pounding as the two men were given a wave and holler of greeting. He was already a cripple, what would people think if they found out he was- Shit.
The Eli kept it’s movement along, bringing them back to the top. Jack grimaced as he sat there, wishing he wasn’t ashamed of his feelings, and wishing he’d been stronger than to push away from Kieran. “Sorry.” He whispered. If they could just have a moment alone.
Jack took in a breath and reached out to the energy flowing through the carnival grounds. Magic he could feel, see, touch. Those wings of his flowed out of his back as the wheel stopped. The music below them stopped, laughter, talking, the lights that normally flickered slightly were frozen in a moment of dimness. Their carriage could move, and so could they- but everything else… time stopped.
--
Kieran lifted his arm as he felt Jacks wings come through. He didn’t care much about how the other carnies felt about two men together, but he respected Jacks boundaries, feeling a sense of loss as he was pushed away. But that didn’t last long. The world stopped, everything except for the two of them. It was like living in a dream, something he could only ever imagine coming true right before his eyes.
He peered back at Jack, amazed and perhaps a little frightened. He’d never stood outside of time before. Finally after the shock wore off he spoke. “How long have I known ya Jack? I’d gather if anything was going to go wrong it would have already.” He replied, wrapping an arm around Jacks back to pull him back closer to him. He tilted his head toward the other man, breathing in the scent of him, feeling that magnetism pull him closer.
—
Jack knew that wasn’t exactly true. A lot could still go wrong. But, Kieran had always been there for him. What if it went right? “Kier-“ he started to say before he found himself kissing the other man. For a moment he almost remembered the drunken first time. Now they were both a bit in the bottle- well Kieran a lot more.
Time was still around them, it was like they were stealing the moment.
—
His eyes fell closed as he felt the other lips dive into his. Kieran was aware of how drunk he was but he also knew that he wasn’t vulnerable, not like Jack had been that first time. He allowed his teeth to graze along Jacks bottom lip, the tip of his tongue came out against the soft skin. He remembered the first time very well, he’d been sober and worried for Jack, but it felt like no time had passed between the two instances. Like they were here again in Tucson, after his mother died.
A hand carded through Jacks short hair, to pull him closer, as close as he could get. He hadn’t honestly thought much about it over the last twelve years but now the memory seemed to burn in his skull. After some time had elapsed (or perhaps didn’t elapse at all) Kieran pulled back to regard Jack, to see his reaction, see how he was dealing with something so out of their patterns. “I’ve wanted to do that for some time.” He said quietly, though why it seemed he wasn’t sure. Nobody could hear them, nobody could see them, not with how time was frozen.
—
It wasn’t Jack’s first kiss, was his first with a guy- that he could remember. When he turned 18, some of the guys convinced Miss Lola to let one of her girls make him a man- for a price of course. They’d actually seen each other for a few months after. But she just couldn’t get past his chair. Apparently it made him ‘boring’. But Kieran was older and a guy. It was nice- different but in a good way.
“Should have acted then.” Jack said with a small smile as he smoothed his blanket over his lap.
—
Kieran’s history with love was a sad one. He wasn’t sure what happened before he died, but he’d taken many lovers over the years who he’d lost in war or whom lived out a full life but it never tore him down. To love was what life was for and he was lucky to have loved more than once.
He searched Jacks eyes, felt warmth at the content smile on his face. “Didn’t seem right until now, I suppose.” If he was honest, he could tell Jack that the kiss had been sobering, that now time had stopped he didn’t feel his judgement so clouded. He’d watched after him for a long time and he’d truly become Kieran’s closest friend. It was natural that affection had bled through.
—
“Should probably start us goin’ round again- huh?” He said, glancing up to Kieran “Unless there’s somethin else you’ve been holdin back on.” Jack questioned. “Or wantin t’do again?” The kiss had been good, but did Kieran feel the same way? What would it mean once the world started again?
--
Offering a smile, Kieran leaned into his lips once more for another kiss. They’d have plenty of time with each other later on when they could explore things a little differently, but for now, the world probably needed to get moving again. “Let’s get the world started again.” He replied though it wasn’t as if he was responsible for time.
—
A small hum escaped him in the kiss and once finished he nodded. “Yea, can’t be sayin’ up here forever.” Jack shrugged. It was true, he didn’t want to hold it too long again and risk anything- though he had come a long way in the decade plus since his mother had passed. He found himself sliding away just a bit- to something akin to a more appropriate distance, and closed his eyes and released the hold on time. Almost as if the pressure changed, their ears popped slightly and the wheel started again, as if nothing had happened.
--
As the world came back around him, he felt a lack of warmth as Jack inched back away from him. He didn’t quite understand why Jack reacted in such a way, many carnies were open about themselves when the grounds were closed to the public. Kristoph himself didn’t seem to mind and Kieran certainly didn’t. He could respect that Jack wanted his privacy about such things.
“Hold tight.” He replied to Jack and lifted himself out of the seat before replacing the bar over Jack's lap. He climbed down the frame of the Eli, all while it was running and landed on his feet on the platform below when he let go. Going to the operating board he watched Jack come down before slowing it down right when his cabin got to the center.
—
“I applaud you.” He chuckled, clapping his hands briefly at the athletic feat.
Jack had always been self conscious about things. Sure, Zion was a safe space, but there were still biases. Giving those prone to judgement another thing to pin on him wasn’t what he was looking for. At least not in public. Hell, he’d thought them all himself at some point. Like, maybe he’d been put in the chair as punishment for feeling different toward boys. Maybe it was meant as a reminder that man was meant to find a girl to marry and have a family. It had taken a long time to get past those feelings and while he had- they still lingered in the back of his mind. And why he wanted to keep private, private.
Once the Eli was stopped he readied himself for help back to his chair. “Was nice to go back up- see the world from above for a bit.” He said, even if he had spent a lot of the time looking at the other man, or his lap.
--
Once it came to a complete stop he opened the bar off his lap and let Jacks hands slip around his shoulders. Jack wasn’t light by any means but Kieran spent a lot of time lifting and building that it wasn’t a hard feat. He walked with him down the steps to his chair, a smile plastered on his face. His newly sober state allowed him to appreciate the glow of a first kiss, at least one that they both remembered.
“To be honest, I didn’t really look out much. Ya occupied me.” He teased and gently placed Jack back in his chair. There wasn’t much to do, aside from hang around the other carnies and drink well into the morning. He much preferred the idea of spending time with Jack alone.
—
Jack chuckled as he got resettled in his chair. “...” So what now? “Least it was a nice night t’be up that high.” He said, pulling back on the bar attached to his wheels. He looked back and noticed his wings- which had yet to go away- seemed to meld with the chair once sat down. One of the strings wound around the through the spokes on his wheels. It was a strange thing to see. Moving the wheel, the string didn’t catch, just seemed to move to another spoke. Had they gotten a bit larger since he’d aged? “I suppose it’s time t’be callin it, yea?” He wondered aloud as he pulled himself backward in the general direction of their wagon- while still facing Kieran.
--
“Aye, I’ll be up early to set up, should probably head to bed.” He admitted, a small headache formed in the back of his head. Probably a result of being in frozen time, or the effects of the alcohol. He wasn’t sure what this was going to be yet, it was sensitive when it came to their relationship. Kieran had been looking after him since he was a boy and he wasn’t sure where the ethical lines would be drawn.
“It's a bit chilly out, perhaps we should double up under the covers to keep warm.” It was mostly a tease, these nights weren’t nearly as cold as some of the places they’d been but it would help him sleep if he had Jack in his arms.
—
Jack sort of smirked, but didn’t give and answer as he turned his chair and continued to their wagon. As they approached it, he looked back to Kieran. “Mind getting the door?”
He pulled himself into the wagon and once inside he looked over to the man. “I’ve never-” He started as he pushed himself to the foot of his bed and backed his chair into it’s spot. “I mean, I have but not with a- man.” Jack admitted.
--
Doing as he was told Kieran opened the door for him so that Jack could pull himself in. He didn’t mind helping out when he could but he knew how important it was for Jack to be independent. Climbing in after he shut the door and sat, listening to Jacks confession. “Jack, I’m not going to do anything that makes ya uncomfortable. When yer ready, ya let me know, yeah?”
Kieran recalled his first time with a man, it had been in war time and it was common practice as there were no women around. He was frightened and excited but most of all, he liked it. With Jacks history it didn’t surprise him that he’d be weary. They could cuddle through the night or they could do as they always did, the choice was always going to be Jacks.
—
He nodded. “Just figured it ought to be said.” Jack reached up to the ropes above his bed and lifted himself out of his chair and into his bed. He pulled his legs over the side of the bed and sat there. Many times it was an ordeal to change for bed, but he’d gotten used to it. “‘Sides in here, no one knows what happens ‘cept us.” He commented as he pulled on his trousers to lift his leg up so he could get his shoe off.
--
Pulling his sweater over his head, Kieran stood to find the way to his bed. It wasn’t a huge space by any means but it was enough for him to move around in. Next came his trousers, shoes toed off as he unbuckled his belt. They’d undressed in front of each other before, so he didn’t have modesty toward his state. Before he climbed into his bed he knelt down in front of Jack, pressing his palms to his legs.
“How’s yer pain?” It was a question he asked often, and today was no exception. If he needed help with his pain, Kieran would do everything he could to help.
—
After unbuttoning and sliding his trousers off, Jack paused when Kieran touched his legs. It wasn’t the first time he’d done it, but it seemed to have a different context now. But he did always feel better around his friend.
Reaching out, he ran his hand through the other man’s hair, looking down at him. “Not even noticing it.” He said with a small smile. He moved his hand down the side of Kieran’s face and under his chin, gently coaxing him up to meet his face. “You’ve always been able to make me feel better.” He almost whispered before stealing another kiss.
Jack’s fingers moved to unbutton his shirt as he found his tongue pushing against Kieran’s deepening the kiss. Was he ready for more, with a man? He wasn’t too sure. But this was nice. His shirt tossed aside, he pulled a single arm from his undershirt and cupped Kieran’s face. “I think maybe it would be nice to- share warmth.” He smiled, chest half bare.
--
Kieran stood easily to meet Jacks lips, finding purchase at his hips and gripping lightly at the skin there. He lived for little moments like this. The tender touches, the blown pupils, heat flushing his skin. This was when Kieran felt most at ease. As they parted he unbuttoned his shirt, letting it fall to the floor amongst his other clothing. Only an undershirt and a pair of loose trousers is what he slept in most nights.
“I’ll try not to wake ya if I wake before ya.” He replied, helping Jack move his legs sideways onto the bed so that he could join him under the covers. It had been a long time since he’d slept in the same bed with someone, he wondered if it might help him sleep.
—
Jack had a pair of pyjamas, they tended to help reduce pain as he slept in non-restrictive clothing. “I think I should be the one sayin’ that.” He chuckled as he pulled himself to the side of the bed, making room for Kieran to slide in. “This may be a first for me.” He commented as they got situated. “Don’t think I ever had anyone stay the night in my bed.” Even those who had liked him seemed to find stigma around his disability. Seeing him struggle was something they wanted to avoid. Maybe he’d be able to avoid any nightmares or night pains with company.
--
He smirked over at Jack and pulled him into his arms as he laid back in the bed with him. “I’m honored to be yer first.” He replied with a bit of a chuckle. Jack's skin felt warm under his and the heat from him was beginning to deep into his skin. Truth be told, this was about as far as he was even willing to go with Jack currently, he knew it needed to grow more with time. But somewhere in his mind he knew that Jack felt this way too.