[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>.
 

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[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.