Work Text:
—Sickness
Richard enjoyed making people feel uncomfortable.
He’d flirt, poke, shove- he was immature, and usually the reaction would be something like “fuck off.”
But with Ithaqua he barely got anything.
Richard said something along the lines of “maybe I could do the pulling next time.” But Ithaqua just stared at him for a moment with an expression undecipherable by the mask, then ignored the comment and attacked him. He didn’t say anything dismissive, but didn’t give the sentence any acknowledgment either.
Richard would find out with time that Ithaqua didn’t like men in general, let alone assholes like himself. The patriarchy had a part to play in why he became as generally unapproachable as he did. But he had plenty of exceptions.. Namely queer men.
Of course- queer men can be misogynistic too. But in Ithaqua’s book, if you are a queer man, you won’t face his discrimination immediately . If you’re a straight man on the other hand.. Until proven decent, you don’t have rights. Richard flirted with men and women alike, so he unknowingly gained respect with Ithaqua by flirting with him.
The thing about Ithaqua that intrigued him however wasn’t his weird cishet man discrimination. It was the obvious; that mask of his.
One thing Richard enjoyed the most out of his flirting and poking was the reaction that came with it. And he couldn’t get it from Ithaqua when his expression was always covered.
Thankfully, there was an opportunity Richard could take advantage of. When people fell ill, you could volunteer to be their nurse for however long they needed. Not every hunter is a dead person, so they needed nurses too.
Richard walked to Ithaqua’s sick sheet on the bulletin board with his helmet on and sword in hand, anyone who was near moved away as he walked up to sign his name.
And so, Richard Sterling became Nurse Sterling. He was handed a spare key to Ithaqua’s room and set off.
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———
Ithaqua’s eyes alone were probably the most breathtaking things he’s ever had the pleasure to witness. If Richard’s piece if shit heart could, it would’ve fluttered at the sight.
Ithaqua laid on the bed covered in blankets. When the door opened hugged them over himself and peeked at Richard with a wounded expression, “I told them I didn’t need a nurse.”
Richard smiled, “Well I volunteered.” He had a tray with water and soup, “Please, let me help. Why would you say no to offered help?”
“..Just.. Not a word of my face to anyone please. I already have enough trouble making friends with that mask on.” He hid deeper under the covers.
“In my experience, a face like yours would draw dozens, but sure, not a word. I wouldn’t want to share a treasure like that anyways.” Richard pulled a chair up next to the bed, “Now tell me why I’m here.” He reached down and pulled the little hunter up to sit. Ithaqua stiffened for a moment when Richard’s colder fingers went around his shoulders then relaxed against them when he adjusted to the temperature.
Ithaqua’s head hung low. It wasn’t to avoid Richard, it was simply because he was too exhausted to lift it, “I got assigned a match at 8 am in Leo’s Memory.. I fell asleep there for pretty much the rest of the day.”
Richard looked confused, “8 isn’t that early is it?” He gently moved Ithaqua’s head and grabbed the cup of water he brought.
“I’m ‘night watch,’ it’s late for me. I go to bed at 7 am quite regularly..” He let the knight feed him. Some of the water dripped past his lips, so Richard gently rubbed it aside, “And when was this?”
“I don’t nnm.. When was Wednesday?”
“You’ve been like this for 2 days??”
“Has it been that long..? I guess it makes sense why I’m hungry then..”
“You’ve been here 2 days.. No food or water??”
Ithaqua blinked at him, “I guess it does seem bad when you put it that way..”
Richard sighed, “Here, drink this,” he handed him the bowl of soup. “I’ll be right back.”
When Richard returned, Ithaqua was back under the covers and the bowl was empty on the end table. He put what he brought- a bowl of water- on the desk then reached over to pull the blanket away, “Hey, I need you to sit up again.”
Ithaqua shook his head, so Richard pulled him up. He noticed then that Ithaqua always seemed to stiffen then relax whenever he touched him, “I take it you haven’t had the time to do your personal hygiene.”
Ithaqua blinked awake, “Guess not.”
Richard felt his shirt, “You’ve been sweating in this thing for two days, let me take it off.”
“But it’s cold..”
Richard sighed then took off his own shirt, “Not that cold.”
“You’re not sick.” Ithaqua let his eyes wander, not that Richard minded at all. The knight ignored him and pulled his shirt off. Ithaqua didn’t seem to care, though he did shiver as Richard’s colder fingers brushed over his warm skin. Richard pulled a towel off his belt, “Stay still for me cutie.”
“I’ve slugged you before, and you call me ‘cutie’,,” Ithaqua gave him an odd look.
Richard only smiled back, then wet the towel in the hot water. He gently started rubbing the towel over Ithaqua’s back. The night watch flinched then rested against his shoulder. Since it was convenient anyways, Richard moved him so he leaned against his chest as he continued to rub the towel over his back. “Does it feel good?”
“Mmm..”
“Heh,” Richard pushed him back down on the bed and started rubbing his chest, speaking in a more lustful tone, “Yeah, you like that, don’t you?”
“Mhmm.. It’s nice..”
Richard smirked when he realized Ithaqua didn’t quite catch his innuendo, “You’re adorable.”
“You’re weird..” Ithaqua’s eyes were closed as he relaxed.
Richard gently brushed his fingers against his stomach as he leaned over, earning a small sound, “I don’t know, I’m getting a lot of urges just looking at you.”
“What kind of urges?” Ithaqua blinked up at him, still drowsy.
“I kinda wanna kiss you,” Richard tilted his chin up with the towel and looked down at him with as much whore radiating from his eyes as he could.
Ithaqua stared up at him, “Heh, sure, like hell you’d wanna kiss someone this ugly.”
Richard raised an eyebrow, “I would.”
“Nah.”
Richard leaned in and pecked him on the side of the lips then pulled away and continued rubbing the towel on his chest. There were more little flinches as he moved about.
Ithaqua took a moment to process what he did, then grabbed his wrist, “The towel is cold now, take it off.”
Richard looked at him, nodded, and put it away. Ithaqua stared off at the ceiling with a pink tint on his face, “I’m cold.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Get me my shirt.”
“Your filthy shirt?” Richard glanced to the floor where he tossed it.
“Yes.”
“No, it’s all wet and sweaty.”
“Fine then,” Ithaqua turned away and pulled his blankets over himself.
Richard brought the bowl of water to his window and poured it out into the flowerbeds below. When he walked back over Ithaqua was still buried in the blankers.
He sighed, “I’m sorry. Did you hate it?”
Ithaqua didn’t turn back around, nor did he say anything.
“If you liked it, stay turned away.”
No movement.
“Okay,” Richard chuckled, “Then, if it’s alright, I’m going to get on the bed with you.”
No movement again.
Richard pulled a couple of blankets off and folded them away, “This many layers will suffocate you.” He put them on the chair then got in behind Ithaqua. He hesitantly wrapped his arms around the hunter’s warmer body and pulled him closer. Richard felt his body trembling, so he tried to calm him down by rubbing a thumb against the side of his stomach.
It worked as well as Richard expected. Ithaqua tried to roll out of his grip, but Richard let him roll as he unintentionally rolled the knight on top of himself, effectively pinning him down. Richard chuckled when Ithaqua seemed to deadpan at what just happened, “Is this what you expected to happen?”
Ithaqua stopped trembling at least. He tried to crawl forward, but Richard was hugging his arms together. Ithaqua’s hands peeked out adorably as Richard leaned over his shoulder and whispered against the back of his ear, “Is this warm enough for you?”
Ithaqua kept still for a moment then nodded.
“Would you like to continue?”
“I’m- I’m asexual.”
Richard paused, “Do you wanna stop them?”
Ithaqua turned slightly, “..No sex.”
“So.. But no stop? Sorry- would you like me to continue this intimacy?”
Another nod.
Richard pulled back a little then kissed his nape, “Then claw me if you want me to stop.” He felt Ithaqua nod again.
So many little nods.
Richard kissed his nape a few more times then licked over it slyly. He felt Ithaqua melt in his arms, and chose to respond by suddenly biting down.
“Mmnah-,” Ithaqua let out a light whimper then quickly covered his mouth. Richard took a moment to pause then suddenly flipped him over.
Ithaqua gasped lightly when Richard grabbed his wrists and pinned them besides his head.
The knight looked down at him with a calculative expression. Ithaqua looked back with a mix of hesitation and embarrassment, red still dusty on his cheeks.
Something was on his mind, and he opened his mouth to say something. But before anything could come out, Richard was kissing him.
He felt the knight gently drum his fingers into his palm as he licked up the ceiling of his mouth. Then he pressed down against him, as if trying to hold him still with the kiss. Ithaqua couldn’t breathe like this. He grabbed the fingers drumming against his palm in an attempt to get his attention, but Richard didn’t seem to care.
Ithaqua tried to use his voice, but the greedy knight seemed to just get more excited.
He didn’t know what else he could do besides claw Richard if he wasn’t going to let up. Yet he simply didn’t want to. He went limp and accepted what was given until finally, Richard pulled away.
Ithaqua let out a gasp and coughed a few times trying to catch his breath. But he could barely catch it before Richard leaned down to kiss his cheek.
“Mm- Sterling you- Wait.”
Richard paused, looking down at him with a sweet expression as he caressed his face, wiping a tear.
Tear?
“Why’d you.. Why are you..”
“Sorry stop talking for a moment,” Richard put a hand over his eyes, “You’re so gorgeous I can’t think.”
“I- I just wanted to ask why-,”
“Sorry stop again, your pretty lips are distracting me.” He moved the hand over his mouth, “Oh but those pretty eyes.. Damn, I guess I just can’t think then.”
“Sterling I-,”
“Well if I can’t think, I guess I should just let instincts do their thing. And my instincts are telling me you enjoy this and I should keep going.”
Ithaqua pulled him down by the shoulders, “God’s sake Sterling! Listen to me!”
Richard paused and kissed his nose, “I’m listening.”
Ithaqua looked at him a little uncertain, “I..” Whatever words were going to come out seemed caught in his throat as Richard gently rubbed over it. Truthfully, Richard recognized the expression he had on.. It was some form of guilty confusion. But he didn’t want Ithaqua to feel guilty about enjoying his touch.
“I think maybe you’re also not thinking,” Richard gently pressed two fingers against his lips and slipped them in when he opened his mouth, “Let me spell it out for you simply, little dove.. I think you’re gorgeous and I would like to continue this sexy time we’re having.”
“Mmph..” He still looked up at him with that annoying guilt.
Richard kissed his cheek and rubbed down on his tongue, “And if you like it, it only means I’m good at this. I know a lot of us have had some type of religious upbringing but, there’s no god here but you.” He pulled his fingers out and licked them off, smirking as Ithaqua’s face reddened, “Now- would you like to continue?”
Ithaqua turned to the side with a bashful expression, then nodded slightly.
“Verbalize cutie, use that pretty mouth of yours. I wanna see those rosy lips moving.”
Ithaqua turned to him and glared, but when he realized Richard wasn’t going to continue unless he did, he turned away again and whispered, “Yes.”
Richard chuckled and moved his wrists over his head, “Was that so hard.” He leaned in and kissed down his neck, occasionally sucking down. Ithaqua let out all sorts of little whimpers and whines, god they were worth more than any inheritance- oh what was Richard thinking.
He put a hand on his stomach and brushed up the center of his chest earning a flinch, then held his waist down as he bit his neck. Ithaqua whimpered a little longer this time, then breathed out shakily.
“Ithaqua,” Richard whispered against the mark, “Are you sure you can handle me in this state?”
“N-no.”
“Do you still want me to continue?” Richard relished in the little vibrations against his throat.
“Yes, thank you..”
Richard paused, then looked back at him. There was a craving, a desperation in his expression.
He looked so incredibly touch starved. The sight was- god it was a turn on. Ithaqua wanted this so damn much and screamed his desire with the tears welling in his eyes. Richard pulled him to sit up and held the back of his neck gently as he kissed him again. The hunter was smaller than him, so he had to tilt his head down, but somehow the angle made it even more enjoyable.
Richard didn’t bother to be as gentle and ravished him, tasting him to his heart’s content. Ithaqua grabbed onto him weakly and whimpered into his mouth, taking it willingly and eagerly, even though he probably couldn’t for long. His perseverance made Richard want to go further.
He pushed him down suddenly and continued his assault, pinning him roughly by the waist as he did everything in his power to leave Ithaqua as breathless as he left him when Richard first saw his face.
Ithaqua still took it eagerly.
The darling was enjoying every moment even when it felt like it would be his last. His lips pleaded for air, yet his claws tugged him closer.
Richard suddenly pulled away. He felt the claws lightly drag against his shoulders but didn’t mind the sting, “I’m going to spend the night here, how much longer do you think you can last?”
Ithaqua whined then leaned up to connect their lips again. Richard chuckled into his mouth then moved down to his neck, planting small kisses down his red skin, “I asked you a question little hunter.”
“Mmnot long.. I wouldn’t last very long..” He hugged around his neck then kissed his forehead.
Richard chuckled and bit down, slightly grazing the mark that was already there, “And you still want it?”
Ithaqua whimpered, he didn’t seem to care about being heard anymore, “Please.”
Richard planted some apology kisses on the spot, “Why do you want it?”
“I-I like it.. It’s nice to be touched like this.”
Richard rubbed small circles in his waist, “Is it now?”
“Mmhm.” Ithaqua let out a small gasp as Richard’s grip on his waist tightened again. “How badly do you want it, little rabbit?”
Ithaqua’s eyes were glazed over, “..Dunno I just.. Want it a lot.. Mph?”
Richard kissed him quiet, “Enough to make yourself mine?”
Ithaqua nodded drowsily, but his eyes focused fiercely on Richard’s lips.
“Heh, really?”
Another nod.
Richard moved his hand off, “You’d be my Mr. Sterling?”
Another nod.
“Alright- I think we need to stop while your brain is still half-processing what I’m saying.” Richard let go of his waist.
Ithaqua winced slightly, his hands moved down, then paused. When Richard realized what happened, he wanted to feel guilty, but he could only admire the bruises and prints he left in his waist, “Sorry little hunter.”
Ithaqua leaned up and kissed his cheek. Richard chuckled and hugged him to the side. Ithaqua hugged back, nuzzling into the crook of his neck as Richard pulled him closer. Their bodies puzzled nicely together, and most importantly it was warm. Ithaqua whimpered lightly against his neck when Richard touched the bruises on his waist, “Hurts?”
Ithaqua nodded.
“In a bad way or.. Heh, do you like it?”
Another nod.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Richard kissed his forehead, “Good night, sweet little dove.”