Simon blinked, but moved his mouth down the boy's neck. "Can I call you Lil?"

The boy's chest shook with laughter and Simon's hair and buttocks both experienced a pleasant caress. "Yess."

——————————

His mom arrived with a tray and thankfully it was a large potion. Enough for two and the boys huddled beneath the covers, sharing turkey, green beans, roasted potatoes and rich gravy.

"Mm!" Everything tasted fantastic - salt and sweetness seemed stronger and the meat was juicier than he remembered it. Even the brussels sprouts were amazing.

The boy watched him, hand splayed on Simon's belly, and a soft smile on his face.

An hour later Simon's sister knocked on the door.

"Hey, Sy." She was wearing a festive red dress with a matching ribbon in her blonde hair.

She set a cup of warm apple cider on his bedside table and passed him a phone with an apologetic look. "I know you need to rest, but it's Noah. He's really stressed out."

"Hey, Noah?" Simon attempted to make his voice croak, as if he did have a cold, but it probably wasn't necessarily. His head felt cottony anyway.

"Hi, Sy." Noah's voice was clipped and tense. "When you left...did you see anyone outside? A boy maybe?"

Lil stiffened beneath the sheets, and the hand on Simon's hip tightened, as if the boy could hear Noah through the phone.

"A boy?" Simon felt another intense surge of protectiveness and the lie rolled easily off his tongue. "No, no one. Why Noah?"

The boy relaxed against him and a kiss brushed over his skin.

"Are you sure? What about footprints?" Noah pressed. "If you concentrate and think back to walking outside..."

"I didn't see anything." Simon interrupted quietly and his brother cursed.

"Alright, well. Call me if you remember anything."

"I will. Merry chri..."

But Noah had already hung up and Bianca took the phone from his hand with a frown.

"I don't like the way he's changed since that scholarship." Bianca said. "He's not just distant. He's become...harsh."

Simon blinked up at her and his fists clenched. If Noah had done what he suspected, then he was far worse than harsh.

"...yeah." He murmured and Bianca smiled down at him.

"Sorry, you need sleep." She stroked the hair away from his brow. "I'll check on you later."

"Thanks, sis."

She left with the empty tray and Lil wiggled up to wrap around him again.

"Did Noah hurt you, Lil?" Simon's heart squeezed painfully and he buried his face in the boy's purple neck. "Was he one of those bad people?"

Lil shuddered and his fingers dug hard into Simon's hips.

"Yess..." That thin cock slithered back into him and Simon relaxed against the invasion. Lil's hands softened and he buried his nose in Simon's hair, inhaling deeply.

"I'm so sorry." Tears filled his eyes and Simon pressed their bodies impossibly closer. "I don't know what's happened to him. I'm so sorry he hurt you."

He showered the boy's neck and shoulder with kisses, while the cock in him swelled. But this time there was no pain. Lil cupped his cheek and guided his face up until their noses touched.

"No cry." He kissed Simon's mouth, while heat began gushing into his belly. "No ssaad."

That blissful sensation took over, stronger than before, and Simon's eyes closed happily. He nuzzled into Lil's throat and felt warm breaths in his hair.

It didn't even feel like sex. It felt like connection and love and peace. Like being with Lil in the best way possible.

——————————

He woke up feeling soft and content. But something was missing.

He rolled heavily, belly larger than before, and saw Lil illuminated by his window - looking for all the world like a mythical fairy being come to life. The boy's slim neck was arched and he was producing sharp, avian calls into the night.

"Sweetheart?" Simon whispered and Lil was beside him in an instant, climbing beneath the duvet and curling around him.

He woke a third time to Lil sitting up in bed.

"What is it?" He mumbled, stroking a hand down Lil's thigh, and heard a furious hissing sound.

Simon's head whipped up and his eyes went round at the sight of two men standing in his room.

Their suits were the exact same shade as the dusky green wall behind them - colors altering to match their surroundings when they moved - and their eyes looked like black holes in the dark.

Their faces were sharp and narrow with uneven skin tones, like Lil. It was hard to tell in the faint light, but one appeared green and white, the other yellow and orange.

They moved fast and Simon was barely able to register it all; sharp teeth flashed and Lil ripped the duvet down to expose Simon's round middle.

The men froze and their expressions ranged from shock, to something like respect. Lil stroked a hand over Simon's belly and spoke rapidly in a low and lyrical tongue.

Simon breathed fast and looked anxiously between them. The men responded in similar low tones and Lil brushed a kiss to Simon's cheek. "Is cold." He murmured.

Simon felt tears rise in his eyes, but he reluctantly pointed to his dresser in the corner.

Lil slid from the bed and searched through the drawers. He then stepped back to Simon and held out a jumper.

Simon blinked in confusion and wiped the tears from his eyes. He'd thought Lil was leaving and his hands trembled when he pulled on the jumper.

The boy dressed quickly and helped Simon into a pair of sweatpants that only just fit over his straining tummy. Lil then pulled Simon to his feet led him to the windowsill. Simon's jaw dropped.

There was a ship in his garden. It wasn't immediately apparent; the vessel's surface reflected like a mirror and the edges rippled, like a play of heat in the cold.

But the dead giveaway was the large entrance that stood open and led a translucent path directly to his window.

Lil jumped out smoothly and turned, holding out his arms expectantly.

For a moment Simon could only stare.

It was clear to him now that Lil wasn't a part of his world. And he didn't know whether to cry with relief that the boy wasn't abandoning him or sob with despair that he would have to leave his family behind.

"Will I see my home again?" His voice shook and tears ran down his cheeks. His emotions felt raw and sensitive and his stomach was so full. His nipples were starting to ache too.

"This home." Lil smiled up at him, pale eyes catching the shine of the stars.

Simon startled when one of the men reached beneath his arms and helped him carefully over the windowsill. Lil wrapped him in a hug, one hand curling around his neck, and breathed against his mouth. "Together home."

They kissed softly.

Simon didn't want to leave. But his heart felt as full as his belly and he knew it would break if he lost Lil. He clutched the boy for support and walked into the ship.

A/N: This was a joy to write. I hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter will be Lil's POV. Please comment and 💜