Content Warning: Violence, Suggestive Language, Sexual Content, Partial Nudity.

Vin’s breathing was erratic. His chest rose with difficulty, wheezing, trying to contain his cries as best as he could. The pain from his transformation still consumed him from the inside. He remained lying on Leonard’s chest, who kept stroking his head over and over, as if that gesture alone could calm the storm within the mutant.

Leonard didn’t know what else to do. His mind drifted back and forth between memories, despair, and helplessness. Until, impulsively, he leaned in and kissed Vin’s forehead. 

It was a simple gesture, almost clumsy, like the one Vincent had given him on the cheek when they were eighteen. Leonard just wanted to show he was there.

Vin, despite the pain, shivered at the kiss. It was comforting. The human immediately apologized, stammering nonsense.

“I'm sorry, I don't know why I did that… I just…” he mumbled, unable to find the words.

Vin didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. He had enjoyed it.

He still held Leonard’s torn jacket and shirt in his right hand. By instinct, he let them go and carefully brushed his fingers along the human’s bare back. He needed to make sure he hadn’t hurt him with his sharp claws. Leonard’s skin was firm, muscular… but also soft to the touch.

Leonard tensed. The way Vin caressed him made him nervous. The sensation was… pleasant. It was too much. Too intimate. He shouldn’t think about that —not now.

Vin pulled back a little, his eyes unreadable, his expression strangely serene. Those feelings of desire weren’t visible through his skull-like face, but his breathing said more than he could control. He gently touched Leonard’s face with his hand. This time, he didn’t hold back like when his human had bandaged him. 

Leonard smiled sweetly and, without thinking too much, took the large hand in both of his and kissed it gently. Vin stared at him, stunned. He hadn’t expected that kind of sweetness… but he didn’t pull away.

“Does what I’m doing make you uncomfortable?” Leonard asked in a shy, sincere voice. “It’s not my intention… I’m just so grateful. I want to do something for you. You’ve saved me, taken care of me… over and over. I feel like…,” he paused, struggling for the right words. “I feel like I’ve known you for a long time. I don't know why... I… Vin... Vin, you are…”

Before he could finish the sentence, before he could ask if he was Vincent, the Rainbane placed his large hand gently on his chest, stroking him lightly. Leonard fell silent at once. He understood. Vin wasn’t good with words, but his actions spoke louder than any confession.

The human closed his eyes and said no more. His mutant, on the other hand, rested against his shoulder.

The warmth, the closeness, the emotion… Leonard couldn’t help it. His body reacted. And the evidence of it filled him with shame. His groin tensed, betraying him.

“…Sorry,” he whispered, red as fire. He couldn’t explain something so intimate. He’d never felt anything like this for someone. At his age, he’d never experienced real intimacy… and secretly, that embarrassed him deeply.

Vin noticed —but didn’t judge him. He didn’t see it as ridiculous or humiliating, even though Leonard did. On the contrary, it would have been a privilege for him. To be the first. To make him his. 

Perhaps he would help him with his intimacy, gently asking if it was alright to touch him —not just there, but everywhere— and then continue without hesitation, watching Leo blush deeper and deeper, pushing his boundaries. 

But... not in that body...

His body was a curse. His left arm would tear Leonard apart. His wings could slice him in two. His size, his strength… he would most likely hurt the human he loved.

Suddenly, the mutant heard a disturbing, seductive voice. Was it his conscience, or perhaps his instincts?

It whispered to him: “Don't be afraid, you won't hurt him, do it, do it. You want him, you want him only for yourself. He will accept it. You don't need to hesitate. You don't need his permission. Touch him.”

That melodious voice grew more insistent and gradually more irritating. Vin was better than that. He refused. It wasn't part of who he was.

So, he did nothing. He just held him.

And Leonard understood. He had to redirect his thoughts. Eridanus. Maybe they would find a cure there. A hope.