[For PanzerSoldat] The Most [UN]Wonderful Time of the Year

[infestedadmiral]

He has felt it coming on for the last few weeks.

The tightness in the limbs on his left side....the random bouts of itching and an inability to get comfortable.

Stukov knows the signs now...an incoming molt is on its way.  He hopes it will hold off until Reinhardt has those Christmas Market shifts he keeps talking about.  It is highly unlikely as those are almost a month away...but a Terran can dream, even an infested one.  There is a deep feeling of dread in his heart.  He is disgusting when he molts-a tangle of peeling reptilian skin, oozing slime and split carapaces.  If he is lucky, it will all be over in a little less than a week.

He hasn't told Reinhardt about it...and he feels a bit like a heel that he hasn't.  There has been no reason to, really as it has not effected them yet and hopefully he could conceal it if he needed to.  It only happened twice a year...that wasn't terribly intrusive, all things considered.

Still....still it was not something he looked forward to.

The itching and tightness are becoming more obvious and one day, on one of the days Reinhardt is scheduled to take leave and spend the next week with him...he starts peeling.  

Well...well <I>CHERT</I>.
 

Comments

[infestedadmiral]

Stukov's exatra limbs lovingly stroked Reinhardt's shoulder, running over it almost like the former Vice Admiral was petting him.

"Moy, Rytsar I would be honored to listen to anything you have to say....any time. You....you are very comforting and I sleep much better with you beside me."

He meant it, but it still caused a pink ripple in his usual glow, his own equivalent of a blush.

"Just...try not to squeeze the molting places too hard, Da? "

Stukov gave a surprised start as he was lifted up, but within a second or two, he was snuggled right back to his previous spot with a loving sigh, Zerg limbs resuming their petting.

At Reinhardt's last comment, he paused and cleared his throat.

"Reinhardt...I...about that...I...wouldn't mind if you did."


Not now.

Not after this.

Not after it is emphatically clear that his knight really is his knight.

That pink surge was back.

"Just...don't be shocked. Zerg carapace is very good at protecting...and...concealing delicate parts...but...I guarantee everything is still there....and..."

His mind went to the zerglings, sleeping for once.

"...some additions but....I wouldn't mind."


Infestation was deeply invasive, but....but it suddenly didn't matter if Reinhardt knew it or saw how deeply it had taken hold on his body because....they were in this together.

[panzersoldat]

He finds he really adores that feeling. There's something warm and soothing about those extra limbs moving. He might be a Crusader that keeps everyone else safe, but when Stukov does it, he feels that he is the one that is protected. He knows this man would be there for him with everything he had. All the tactics and healing and even a hard fight. He has a great man that he can feel secure next to. He feels loved. Safe and loved.

"Ja. No hugging too hard. I promise. I want you comfortable when we sleep. I'm sure this is uncomfortable enough without me adding to it." As he speaks, he walks, keeping the man secure his arms. He has to turn sideways to get through doors but there is no way he's going to be putting Alexei down. Not until they reach the bathroom and he can start preparing the man's bath.

He makes a small humming sound as his love explains what might be under his clothing. He has to admit he is curious. He can't help but be. Not because he wants to oogle Stukov for his strangeness but because he's certain he'd still be just as attracted, no matter what rested under those clothing. Well, that and he does want to oogle. Who wouldn't want to look at such a handsome man naked? But he'd never pressure, so when Alexei explains and says he doesn't mind, Reinhardt can only grin broadly and press a kiss to the man's forehead.

"Then I'll stay and I'll help." He might even join if he thinks the tub will fit them both. If not, he'll happily sit beside Alexei and scrub his back. But first he must get the water ready, which means putting Alexei down so that he can get that water and those bubbles he knows die kinder love.

[infestedadmiral]

Those extra arms tightened in a hug and Alexei smiled.

"Spasibo.. It should be alright in a few days when the new carapace hardens. Once that happens it is fine...even if the skin has not completely grown over it again."

He stops and blinks when Reinhardt presses that kiss into his forehead. The infested Terran smiles and gives a slight sigh.

"Spasibo again...for your help."

He means it.

It means to world to him that his beloved remains by his side and is helping. It feels...good? More than good but what is it really?

He'll concern himself with that later. His knight is setting him down and Alexei gently unhooked his extra limbs as he eased to the ground.

Once on the ground, Stukov began the arduous task of removing his jacket that was practically glued to him at this point. That poor coat had been through almost as much as he had. Fortunately the water Reinhardt is running is hot enough that steam and humidity fill the air-perfect...exactly what he needs. Bit by bit, he manages to coax off the jacket, taking a lot of slime and some chunks of dead skin with it.

His sweater is next and it peels off easier now that there is humidity in the room. Underneath it is nothign Reinhardt has not seen before. An almost perfect split of Zerg and Terran with places there two meet and twist over and into each other. Scar tissue from old battle wounds, as well as surgery and tissue sample scars...all that and molting too.

He moves on to his belt then, unfastening it and tugging it free from its loops and letting it drop to the floor. He'll deal with it later.

He uses his human hand to undo the button and zipper on his pants and he pauses, taking the time to inhale and exhale some deep breaths. He is not worried about Reinhardt ogling him...or judging him since it is painfully clear they are beyond that....but still...he hasn't willingly let anyone see him this...exposed. Oh, the scientists of Moebious have seen everything. They undoubtedly had pictures and files and samples of every poke and prod they took from every inch of him. He needs a moment. Or several.

After a final deep exhale, Alexei let his pants drop and he stepped out of them. The pattern continued, as one would assume, the infestation traveling down the left side of his body, covering everything and twisting it to its needs. His left foot is human sized, but the toes are elongated and the nails are thicket and longer than the ones on his right. In comparison, his right side look mostly unscathed.

But...it is suddenly clear that the bulge in his pants is actually part of his carapace...and he's not using anything right now so it stays concealed. All of it. It comes in handy to have a built in codpiece sometimes...especially in his line of work. He'd give Zerg evolution that, at least....it was, if anything, practical.

[panzersoldat]

Reinhardt would tell Alexei not to thank him, but he's certain the man would be adamant about it. So instead, he just accepts the thanks and is happy that he can do this. He adores this man and he'd do anything for him. He's also happy to finally get to learn more about the man. He feels he learns something new and wonderful about Alexei each day. Now he has this to add to the list.

He needs to remember it. Learn when this time happens so he can be prepared for it. Start learning the signs that it's starting. Maybe find ways to get time out of the Crusaders to assist his love with this difficult time.

He's maybe a little disappointed he can't help Alexei with his clothing, but he knows they must take this slowly. One step at a time. It must have taken so much for this man to even be willing to take off his clothing. He knows closest he's gotten so far has been the man's body hidden by a robe.

Reinhardt still winces a little at what he sees. Not because he's disgusted but because he's afraid it hurts his love somehow. It can't feel good to have your skin peel away connected to your clothing. His heart goes out to the other man. He still stays at the tub. If the man needed help, he would ask. He can't reach out and take that belt for him. This needs to be Alexei's choice. Alexei'a decision. So he waits and he finishes getting that water ready.

When it's finished, he finally turns and takes in the other man once more. Naked. He takes a deep breath and stands from his place at the tub to step over and lightly, carefully runs a thick finger down the split. "I was right. You are so beautiful." He doesn't care of his finger comes away coated with slime. He also doesn't care if he sort of catches some of that caprice and pulls a bit of it away too.

"Now, get that handsome rear end of yours into the tub. I'll get cloths and help you scrub down." He won't strip though. He won't join Alexei unless he asks. He understands this must be taken one step at a time.

[infestedadmiral]

It has taken him months to get to this point...to feel this comfortable and open....and not feel broken....ruined...Reinhardt really has no idea what he has done...he can't because he's not Alexei. He does know about the nightmares and the...complications...but he wasn't there and Stukov is only now feeling...safe enough to talk about it....even a little. Thanks to the Crusader, he feels like he is finally allowed to slowly heal. He doesn't leave the bed if he wakes up, drenched in sweat from a nightmare. He stays and latches onto his knight with his extra limbs and lets himself be grounded in the feel and the scent of the man. Reinhardt has the patience of a saint to put up with him.

There's a surge of pink on his left side. He can't help it. There's literally nothing between them anymore and he's still a little apprehensive. It flickers and fades at that finger on him and the glow warms back to its usual yellow-orange and there's a small smile on Alexei's face at the compliment. He still has trouble understanding how anything about him is beautiful...but he's not going to argue at this point. Reinhardt truly believes it and because he believes it so much...it is slowly getting Alexei to notice things that he'd previously despised in a new light.

"Thank You. You know...new carapace is...iridescent for a few days before it hardens. It...sparkles in the light. Once all this schlough is off, you'll be able to see it."

He nods at that, it sounds like a divine plan.

Bit by bit, he eases into the tub, giving a hiss that starts human but turns into something else when the hot water hits raw flesh. It is a Zerg sound-almost reptilian-he hasn't ever made it in front of Reinhardt before and he quickly bites his lip to silence it. Still, Stukov knows it is for the best and inch by inch, lowers himself into the hot, waiting water. His sounds return to very a very human series of "tch tch tchhhhsss." The nerves on his left side scream for a few seconds, but they quiet once they get used to it and it starts to feel soothing. The heat and the moisture do him good, the soft bubbles...hundreds of them, softly scented with lavender oil. He's mostly quiet, then, but he makes a pleased sigh as he started to get comfortable.

Alexei slips under the water momentarily then comes back up. He's been meaning to get a haircut, but only when it is wet is it actually noticeable.

He keeps most of himself under water, but his right elbow is leaned against the side of the tub to keep his head up.

He feels cleaner...better already, despite the occasional cry from a sore spot.

"Oh, Moy Rytsar. This was such a wonderful idea....thank you for suggesting it."

[panzersoldat]

He knows how hard this is and that's why he's so patient. He won't push because he doesn't want to push Alexei away. He adores the man too much for that. If he lost Stukov, Reinhardt knows he'd be beside himself, questioning how and where he had gone wrong. Though it's slow and though it's been recent, the knight knows his life is so much better and brighter with Alexei in it. The man being here has truly made this colony so much warmer for Reinhardt. His world was filled with more than just duty and responsibility now.

"Oh, so you become even more like a star. Maybe I should stop calling you mein schatz and start calling you Moya zvezdochka" His Russian is rough and heavily accented with his German. "I look forward to see it." He is. Because to him, he knows it would be lovely.

He settles behind the man, kneeling beside the tub as Alexei slides further in. He only raises an eyebrow at that inhuman sound. His hands immediately go to try and sooth. He might have made it too hot. He has always loved his own baths a little too warm. He doesn't mean to boil his love. He can't help but tease a little at the sound that the man made. Not because he's scared of it but because he doesn't think Alexei needs to hide it. "Language, Alexei. I know the children aren't here but you never know and I don't need our little ones picking up those sorts of words from you."

He laughs a little when the man disappears and then comes up. He can't help but reach and start to comb his fingers though the man's hair. He playfully slicks it back and then messes it up more. He gets some of those bubbles into it, already staring to massage the man's scalp. "I thought you might enjoy it. When my knees act up, a hot bath does wonders for me." A pause and he leans to give Alexei's human ear a small kiss. "But don't you dare tell on me for that. I'll not be put on desk duty because I have achy joints every now and again."

From the hair, his fingers travel down. He's careful, careful and gentle, trying to help ease some of that skin off. "This spring, I think I'm going to build us a nice hot tub and sauna out back. For you and the little ones and for me too. So we can all soak together."

[infestedadmiral]

The feeling was mutual on the Infested man's side. He'd not felt anything for anyone besides mild annoyance at best and pure loathing at worse for the better part of a decade. Truth be told, he hadn't even been sure he had been capable of caring for someone anymore. But here they were regardless. It had been almost frightening at first since he had been unable to place the emotion he was feeling...then once he had..he hadn't have been sure how the Crusader would respond...thankfully, well and...here they were.

Alexei can't help but smile at how his mother tongue sounds with Reinhardt's incredibly thick accent. It is a complete bastardization but he can't bring himself to care. It is perfect...like music. Reinhardt can call him whatever he pleases. He'll always answer.

"You've been practicing, vozlyublennaya."

He can't help but beam at that.

He smiled at the teasing, an eyebrow raised in a smirk.

"You're right. I can't really blame anyone else if they pick up a few choice phrases, now can I?"

The water was just right. Very hot. Exactly the way he liked it....if he hadn't have torn off a few dying and dead layers of flesh it wouldn't even be unpleasant...but he had and there was nothing to be done about it now...not when everything else was so...perfect.

It is silly, really, in the grand scheme of things...but this little domestic existence he has with Reinhardt and their zerglings...and they really are their zerglings in his eyes....is just the kind of life he had been looking for since leaving the Swarm...even if he did not know it until it practically slapped him in the face.

He loves the feeling of Reinhardt's hands on his wet hair, messing it up, then scrubbing at his scalp with thick, strong fingers. He leans into it with a pleased sigh.

"Your secret is safe with me, Moy Rytsar. I will not tell a soul."

Dead tissue comes off easily-lumps of grey, discolored skin come off without much effort. Some of it isn't quite ready, though, so Stukov's shoulder and arm look a little uneven. There are small sparkling glints of that iridescence that he had mentioned starting to appear.

Alexei's right hand travels up to Reinhardt's face at the mention of his upcoming projects and he cups Reinhardt's cheek.

"I'd love that."

All of it.

The hot tub large enough for all of them...it would make molting so much easier next time...and Reinhardt could manage to sit beside him without resorting to contortions...and a sauna...a dream come true. It was a perfect place for eggs to hatch.

Alexei started a little at the heat pooling between his legs. Now was not the time for that...he was in no condition. He was grateful for the obscene amount of bubbles. He takes a few deep breaths and nods when he's sure he's settled down.

"I look forward to it."

Alexei swallowed and blew at a few stray wet bangs that were coming loose.

"Careful...with all this flattery and promises I know you are good for....you might get me all riled up. This is normally a good thing. But for the next few days it is....maybe not the best time to act on it, Da?"

It isn't.

It really isn't.

Wet carapace can be pressed into drying painfully and awkwardly into other shapes that are not what they are supposed to be, which were ungly and painful until the next molt...which was also more painful because of the unusual shape.

"After that...I....I'm not...opposed to...getting riled up. You...have an amazing effect on me."

[panzersoldat]

He feels a little embarrassed at his attempt at Russian. More so when Alexei seems so pleased by it. He wants to say it was terrible, but he's being praised. That makes him actually flush. He moves a hand from the man's hair to scratch at his beard for a second in his awkward bit of shame. "I have been. I've been working hard to get it. I want to be able to speak to you in your language. To tell you I love you in your mother tongue. To whisper sweet nothings to you. And I know I have no chance of learning what you and the little ones speak to one another." He probably would never ever be able to speak whatever that was. Might not even have the right vocal cords for it. However, Russian, he can learn. "Though if I can learn I love you, I would want to be able to say it, to you and to die kinder."

Of course he won't make Alexei teach him. Because he's not even sure there's a word for that. Plus, he doesn't want to put Alexei out. He doesn't but he still puts it out there because he wants the man to know that's how much he cares.

He cups the hand on his cheek and gives the palm a little kiss. He'll do it then. He'll start getting the plans together. He won't build until spring, when the ground was softer. The thought made him realize just how much more this small house was his home than the barracks he's spent most of his life here on NeoBaravia has ever been. He knows he'll have a very hard time leaving when his week of leave was up.

"When it's time, I'll have you come with me to pick out fixtures for it." Just like a real couple. Just a pair of lovers going to the hardware store because of a bathroom remodel. It makes him feel even more warm and happy. Happy enough to carefully wrap an arm around the man for a moment to press a kiss to a wet temple before he is back to playing with that longer hair.

"I'll try to stop. It's hard because you are so handsome. But for your comfort, I will try not to flatter you too much." Though it does give him a little jolt of pride to think that he could get Alexei excited like that. With just a few words, just a few compliments. He wants to learn all those things that get this man in the mood.

"After, I make no promises." For now though, he'll accept Alexei's decision. He'll be good. Or as good as he can be when he reaches for cloth and soap and reaches into the water to help the man scrub some more of that skin and slime off. "Once you're out, I'll get you a nice clean set of sheets." He'll change the bedcloths as many times as needed for Alexei to feel clean and happy and not slimy and gross about himself.

[infestedadmiral]

Russian is not an easy language to learn...and Stukov's German isn't much better than Reinhardt's butchering of his mother tongue...so he's not one to talk. Not that he would anyway...especially when this is such a touching sentiment. He doesn't miss the flush...and he can't help but glow a soft pink at that in turn for a few seconds.

"There is no way to say it in Zerg. They...they don't have words for it. Until very recently, there...there wasn't even time for it for them. It is starting to happen now...amongst the higher level Zerg-the queens and the brood mothers...perhaps they will think of a way to say it. I will share it if I learn it but...most Zerg like...Der Kinder communicate psionically...so...your thoughts and feelings are picked up on. I'm certain they know how you feel about them."

He leans into that scratch on his beard and sighs.

"I would be happy to go with you."

There is a part of him that freezes up inside at the thought of going out...of...being social. He's been getting better though...and Reinhardt will be there and the colonists have mostly gotten used to him at this point.

That embrace...that kiss to his temple...the playing with his hair...it is so soothing...so relaxing...like...this is just another day...they are just a pair of old men fawning over each other like lovestruck teenagers. Human teenagers. He's told Reinhardt this before-that the Crusader makes him feel human and his beloved is always assuring him that he is human. Alexei knows better, but he's not going to argue...he'll just enjoy feeling love and affection that he thought was lost to him.

It is wonderful. It is exactly what Alexei needed. Even more slime and dead tissue come off with Reinhardt's cleaning and Stukov is looking very uneven...but what's coming off for now is off. Almost. There's a pop from his face and the large chunk of carapace on his left cheek comes free. Alexei manages to catch its edge and peel it lightly away. It looks like a piece of plastic with a sheen of am iridescence in the light.

"Huh. First actual carapace piece of the molt. That's a good sign."

Stukov set it on the side of the tub.

"Spasibo."

There is a pause.

"For everything. Always. I...I am honored you are still here...despite...despite everything."

He turns his whole body then, placing the hand Reinhardt held the wash cloth in between his right hand and his molting claws on his left.

Now it is his turn to attempt a language not his own.

"Ich liebe dich, Mein Ritter."

It seems Reinhardt is not the only one who has been practicing. Like his Russian, it is heavily accented...but discernible.

[panzersoldat]

The explanation gives Reinhardt hope. He knows it's a silly thing. But he does understand that the little ones are indeed Zerg. Alexei is also, for as human as Reinhardt insists he still is. He knows that once, when he had been much younger, he had been one of those people at war with them. He had killed more than his fair share as a marine.

But that was 30 years ago and this was now. This was now and he couldn't imagine hurting these zerg. They all meant far too much to him and so he's glad that even if the little ones can't say it, can't really express it yet, they know he loves them with his whole heart. He might not have been directly involved with the three, but he sees then as his children all the same. His and Alexei's. They are precious and he adores them just as much as he does their father.

It's also why he's so glad that Alexei agreed to come and do something so very domestic with him. He knows how hard it is for the man to be social and every time he tries, Reinhardt feels himself growing even more proud of the man in the tub.

Proud of him and so very in love with him. Even seeing a piece of his face come off doesn't sway his emotions away from that truth. Instead, he just focuses on the softness of Alexei's new skin under the old. At how beautiful and luminous it is. "Is it? Good. Then I'm glad. We'll do this as many times as you need until it's all done with. I'll help you bandage and stay clean until it's all gone. And whatever else you need. I'll even cook for you. You don't have to worry about anything this week. I'll take care of you."

He means that too. There's nothing he would love more than to take care of Alexei. He's never considered retirement, but now Reinhardt knows what it is he wants when it's finally time for him to lay down his hammer. When he can no longer lift it. He wants to live out the rest of his days with this man and their children and their children's children if such a thing were to ever happen.

The fact that Alexei speaks in German to him just clenches that fact. If he hadn't promised, he knows he surely would have ended in the tub with the man right then and there. As it is, he just smiles so brightly that he's certain he's glowing.

[infestedadmiral]

The way that Reinhardt positively glows at Alexei's butchering of his mother tongue makes the infested Terran's own glow brighter...and that rustle is back in his extra limbs. His heart is full. He could not ask for more. He had no idea he could be this happy anymore.

His feelings had started as a whisper...a general inclination. A feeling of relief and comfort whenever Reinahardt was near him...which, fortunately, had been often. The Crudsader had made himself into a kind of liasion for the former Vice Admiral, though Stukov was fairly sure Balderich had a hand in it to put the other Terrans' minds at ease. It was difficult to pinpoint when exactly that fondness had blossomed into...something else.

He'd kept his mouth shut, of course, content to marvel that he could indeed feel what he did. Stukov had long thought feelings of romance and...attraction had been long gone...removed from the lexicon of things he could feel. It turns out...there was just no one to feel them for.

He'd still kept silent. Even if he could feel things...that did not mean Reinhardt felt them in return. He wasn't even sure if the Crusader was into men...let alone...infested ones.

In the end, they had both felt the same way towards each other...but Alexei had still needed convincing. He had still needed reassurance...still did...now and again...that this was real and not some escapist fantasy his drug addled brain had conjured up back on Skygeirr platform in the secret depths of the Moebius Foundation's labs.

But the touch of the Crusader's hands grounds him. He feels their weight and their texture...and his knight's musky, touch of fine cologne smell. It is real and here and his and he wants nothing more than to spend the rest of his days with this man...however many he has left.

He reaches up for Reinhardt's collar to pull him down for soft, grateful kisses before pressing their foreheads together and shutting his eyes.

What Reinhardt proposes sounds like heaven. Not just taking care of him...but everything after...building a sauna...a hot tub...picking out the fixtures together. It is an actual future together. A future he wants...and that is staring him in the face letting him know he can have it...that it is possible.

For the first time in years...he is happy to be alive...to be here...now.

In a few days, his new carapace will be hardened...that's well within Reinahrdt's week of leave.

"I know you will. I know it."

He says it a lot breathier than he means to, which probably isn't helpful to either of them in this situation.

"Let me do the same...whenever...if ever it happens."

Because he's in this for the long haul. He'll be there to help when Reinhardt can no longer lift his hammer. No matter what the Crusader needs, he'll be there.

"I...we'll work together...always."

[panzersoldat]

Reassurance is something that Reinhardt will always give. He knows that sometimes things are difficult for his love. Had he known the man thought this some fever dream, Reinhardt would make sure to do everything in his power to remind him that this was real. That it wasn't a dream, and that if it was a dream, it would mean that Stukov was dreaming of the future. That Alexei just need to wait for him. Reinhardt would find him, he'd put on his old space marine armor and go from planet to planet, space station to space station, until he found the Admiral. But he doesn't think he has to tell Alexei that. He's sure that the man knows that this knight would go to the ends of the galaxy for him.

He always will.

Always, if it means those sweet kisses and that gentle warm glow is in his life. If those breathy sounds follow him to his own shower later, that's his own business. He's going to keep his promises. Just like he's going to take care of this man.

He can't help but smile though. "Of course. I'll let you do the same. I've put you in my pocket and we're going to go together always. When I need help, I know you'll be there. And when I need you to look out for me or even if just to make my ass sit down and rest for a while, you will help me with that. We're a team." And he's grateful for it because he knows when the time comes, with Alexei at his side, he'll actually be able to retire in peace.

[infestedadmiral]

Part of the terror and despair of languishing in Narud's grasp was the knowledge that no one was looking for him. The world thought he was dead. Those that knew him to be alive had seen the Protoss cure work. They had no idea it had ultimately failed.

No one left alive cared enough to look after him. No one was coming to save him. He had been completely and utterly alone.

Neither Terrans nor Zerg were designed to exist that way.

That aching loneliness has not been a part of him for months. It eased when he joined the Swarm...but it never felt right...not like home...not like this does.

His glow is pulsing and warm, orange and yellow. Alexei is content and happy. He smiles and chuckles.

"Tch. You and I both know I would have to order you to sit your ass down for a rest."

He is more on the nose than he realized.

Alexeo sighed.

"Well. All is off that is coming off for now."

He rose slowly from the water, steadying himself on Reinhardt's shoulder. He made no move to cover or conceal anything. He had nothing to hide anymore.

[panzersoldat]

The man is right, of course. The Crusaders has been Reinhardt's life since he had come back to this place. Certainly, he had been born here. Grown up here, but here, there had been no adventure for a wide eyed boy that had wanted to make something amazing of himself. Out there, there had been. He'd gotten his adventure and then some, and now he was back. And back for some time, like he had never left.

Yet even as long as he'd been here now, with his life fully dedicated to the shield wall that protected Neo-Bavaria, he had never found a reason to retire. No wife. No children. No grandchildren. Until Alexei. In this man, he had found someone he could devote himself to just as fiercely as he did this colony. Not only that, he found what he had been lacking. This is the man he wished to grow old with. Alexei had been the adventure he had always looked for.

He shifts away from the tub a bit as Stukov rises. It's hard not to get a good long eyeful. He tires his best not to stare, but that desire for the man burns in that single blue eye. His adam's apple bobs from swallowing his thirst down. He will behave. He promised.

"Looks like." His already deep bass voice seemed to have dropped into the basement, telegraphing his want before he represses it. "A towel." He has to hand it over because he can't trust himself not to touch too much. "Clean wrappings so you don't leak too badly on your sheets." And he'll drain the tub after and decide what to do with the shed. Perhaps it can go into the fire. "I'll come to bed soon as I take care of this and have my own shower." A very cold one.

[infestedadmiral]

The lower tone of Reinhardt's voice makes Alexei's heart jump to his throat. His heart beats a little faster than normal for a few seconds and his extra limbs fluttered.

Did...did Reinhardt's voice just...go deeper?

It had. Obviously it had. A telltale sign of desire aimed at...him?

He'd known Reinhardt was in love with him...but...this was something else...that...was not unwelcome at all just..obnoxiously timed. He had at least two full days of shed left...and another day for his carapace to harden before...attempting anything involving much grabbing was wise. Still...it made the investment that was sitting in the drawer of his bedside table well worth the time, money and...awkward advice asked of the colony's pharmacist.

Alexei smiled to himself and beamed at Reinhardt, glow flickering pink at the thought of his knight feeling genuine desire for him after this...mess.

He gratefully took that towel when it was offered.

"Spasibo.

Stukov carefully dried himself off.

"I look forward to it."

Reihardt was always a source of comfort and Alexei slept much better when his knight was there.

"The shed will shrink once it is dry. Then we can throw it in the garbage or in the fire. Don't worry about it right now."

He smiled and slipped out of the bathroom. Stukov gave a dreamy sigh as he went to check on the zerglings. All three of them were soundly asleep. Hans kicked at something and his lips flared, revealing a gnashing set of sharp teeth. Little darling was dreaming. He returned to the bedroom and sat on the edge of his bed for a moment before pulling the drawer in his bedside table open.

Inside it were several kinds of lubricant and condoms. He had no idea what half of them were. He hadn't needed any such product in almost two decades. Things had changed so much since he'd needed anything like this. He hadn't had a partner since he left Earth...and that was years before he even considered going to the Korprulu Sector with the UED fleet. Then there was his mission to contend with...his infestation...the war in the Void...and now here he was, a little worse for wear, but still in the fight...wit a drawer full of intimacy aids. He had realized he'd never asked if Reinhardt had any allergies like this...he'd never thought he would need to, as ludicrous as that sounded. He loved cuddling. He loved being held and hugged and just being there with his beloved knight. Slowly, he had gone from tensing every time that Reinhardt patted him on the back to loving all those little touches and caresses.

Honestly, until now...he'd not been sure if Reinhardt would...want to...be intimate with someone whose most private, personal parts had been completely remade. He must look like an idiot. A grown man who doesn't have a complete understanding of how his own pleasure worked. Though in his defense...he had not had a lot of time to explore. He certainly was not going to while being studied...and there wasn't any time for it once he joined Kerrigan and the rest of the Zerg Swarm.

It was time to change all that...he'd finally been ready to try...and then his molt had started and his heart had fallen to pieces...but...Reinhardt had picked up those pieces and patched them back together.

Alexei smiled and slid the drawer closed.

Soon.

He'd waited this long.

[panzersoldat]

It had. Alexei will soon learn that one of the biggest tells of Reinhardt's arousal is the deepening of his voice. It's not something he can help. Want just makes his rumbling voice hit the subbasement. Right now, it's very deep indeed. It'll take him a while for it to return to his normal low tone. It helps if he focuses his attention elsewhere.

At least until Alexei is gone. Then he can take things...well in hand. He has to be quick. He wants to join his love in their bed. But he will do as Alexei says and ignore the shed for now. He'll take care of it in the morning. Right now, he has other problems to deal with. Problems that had come directly from looking at the man's naked body.

Reinhardt is much faster with his shower than he normally is. He's also a bit quieter. The house is often filled with the dulcet sounds of Reinhardt Wilhelm breaking 5 different peace treaties by committing the war crime of singing in the shower. Instead, there's just a few quiet grunts and a gasp that hopefully doesn't travel to the bedroom before he's pulling on sleep pants and heading in that direction, desires sated and the evidence of his weakness draining from the tub.

He does pause by the little beds their little ones are sleeping on. He readjusts the little blankets to keep the zerglings warm, lighting patting one that opens it's eyes a little to make sounds at him. "Don't worry...I'm going to take care of your dad. You can rest." Of course later, he might wake to a little patrol of zerglings that had taken it upon themselves to protect their territory while their creator is in such a bad way.

But eventually he'll come to bed, utterly unaware of what hides in the drawer not feet from him as he sits on the edge of the bed. "I know you're soft...but would it be safe for me to...hold your hand at least?" He can't hug Alexei to him like he normally would. It's too dangerous to spoon him, but he likes having contact when they sleep. He thinks holding Alexei's human hand should be safe enough.

[infestedadmiral]

Alexei lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, listening to the running water and noting the absence of his love's loud, earsplitting singing. He doesn't mind it. It is charming. Of course, his ears are no longer human.

When Reinhardt at last comes to bed, Alexei smiles warmly and he gives a soft, wistful sigh.

"Of course."

He immediately reached out his hand for his knight's.

"Anything with human skin is safe to touch."

Hold...kiss...anything like that. His extra limbs flutter when he links their fingers together. Stukov pulls the other man's knuckles to his lips and kisses each one before letting their linked hands rest on his chest, just enough away from any exposed molting.

"I'm...I'm so glad you are here. Thank you...for everything...for helping."

[panzersoldat]

He's glad for that. Reinhardt knows he can't sleep in the same bed as this man without wanting to touch. Needing to. If he couldn't, he would have to go and sleep on the couch, wake up with an ache in the back and a pile of Zerglings on his chest. Not the worst way to wake up, but he hadn't come to the house for the week to sleep with die kinder.

Reinhardt grins and does his best to stay just on that human side. Press against it as much as he can, always snuggling. Making up for those long and lonely nights back at the castle.

His heart flutters at the kiss to his knuckles. "No. Thank you. Thank you for letting me in. Letting me help." He curls against Alexei's human side more. He'll be asleep, snoring in mere seconds. He never sleeps this quickly at the castle.

[infestedadmiral]

Alexei curls back against Reinhardt as best he can. The glow in his eyes and in his skin begins to dim as he becomes sleepy. He can't take his eyes off his beloved knight. Even as he settles in and his eyes flutter, he just watches Reinhardt sleep.

The infested Terran holds fast to his love's hand as he drifts off to sleep, kissing the back of it and holding it to his chest.

It felt as though a tremendous burden had been lifted...that he could truly rest...and that for the first time in a long time, he drifted off into a deep and restful sleep.