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Simon kisses like he's drowning.
He's got Ryland pressed up against the wall, apparently determined to drive him crazy with just his mouth. Too sharp teeth needle at his lower lip, and Ryland's knees wobble as Simon devours the frankly embarrassing sound that escapes his lips.
Simon's focus shifts a little, mouth leaving a burning trail across Ryland's jaw and down his neck.
"Simon, I-" whatever else Ryland was going to say gets drowned out by a whine as Simon scrapes his teeth against his neck.
Simon lets out an interested hum against Ryland's throat. The sound of it is low and gravelly, sending Ryland's thoughts spiraling even further.
"I..." Ryland trails off, eyes fluttering as Simon lovingly all but mauls his neck.
Simon pulls away with a pop, dark eyes glittering. "Yeah, Ry?"
Ryland does NOT whimper at that, thank you very much.
"I'm waiting..." Simon trails off with a smirk.
"So am I," Ryland huffs, yanking Simon back in for another kiss.
Simon chuckles against his mouth, and forget what he said about Simon being the drowning one. Because Ryland was pretty sure he'd be willing to drown a thousand times over to keep hearing that sound.
"Still can't believe a big smart guy like you gets all worked up by someone like me," Simon murmurs when he pulls away to breathe.
That sobers Ryland a little. "Hey– stop that, we've talked about this."
"Mhm– we have. You are smart," Simon says softly.
Ryland flushes a little. "You know that's not what I meant."
Simon lets out a noncommittal hum.
Ryland pulls him in for another kiss, this one softer and gentler. This time it's Simon's turn to melt. He's still caging Ryland in, but it's a blanketing presence now, warm and safe.
Ryland almost loses himself in it, lets himself be consumed by Simon's firm presence and gentle warmth, but he had a point he was trying to make here. So he gently pushes Simon away with a hand on his chest, chuckling a little at Simon's resulting pout.
Ryland meant to say something poignant. He really did. But Ryland finds his gaze tracing over scarred and warped skin, eventually reaching Simon’s eyes and all that comes out is–
"I love you."
Which certainly is poignant in its own way, but the way Simon's eyes go wide and mouth drops open suggests that Ryland maybe should have approached this with a bit more finesse.
"You don't have to say it back!" Ryland blurts.
Simon just blinks in response.
"Augh– I just– I didn't mean to lay it on you like that. I guess I just– I don't just get 'worked up' about you, Simon. I just… care about you. All of you," Ryland says rather pointedly.
Simon surges forward, and he's drowning again, kissing Ryland like he's his only source of oxygen. Ryland only gets lost for a moment or two, coming back to himself once Simon surfaces for air.
"I– I never thought I'd– nothing in my life ever felt like it could lead to something like this," Simon says, voice soft and trembling.
Ryland presses a kiss to Simon's temple. "I'm glad it did."
"I don't know how to say it yet. But I- I think I do too. What you said earlier," Simon says sheepishly.
"Well, we've got plenty of time for you to figure out how to say it," Ryland murmurs.
Simon lets out a sound that's half sob, half laugh, and kisses Ryland again.