There was no ignoring and nothing to do for it; Justice straight up had a sex dream about Merlin. It wasn’t symbolic. No, it was Merlin’s plush lips wrapped tightly around Justice’s cock. No teeth but some gagging when Justice got rowdy—in a sexy way. The wizard could take his entire length, letting it slide to the back of his throat.

Merlin was also talented at being able not to focus attention on the shaft, but paused to give extra suction to the head, stick his tongue in the slit. He was also very good about not orphaning his balls, toying with them before he slid his finger back, pressing a spot on his perineum that just about drove Justice out of his mind.

When he came, Justice swallowed without complaint. No fuss, no dramatics. Every sperm went down as Merlin and Justice gazed into each other’s eyes.

Out of thin air, Justice was able to summon a trophy, which he presented to Merlin right after. “World’s best blowjob.” The plaque was in a language that Justice could understand.

“A trophy is not what I want,” said Dream Merlin. He gave Justice a sultry look as he turned Justice around and then bent him over the couch.

This was where things got a little fuzzy. Justice wanted to be fucked hard so bad that his hole was clenching in anticipation. But also, at this point, he was coming back to reality and he remembered Lewis.

Oh, Lewis.

But what about Lewis? Even when he was alive, they weren’t together anymore, not really. It would probably have been just a matter of days before their life together had ended, so why did Justice even care? Especially in a dream.

He didn’t. He couldn’t. Life had to go on, and while it wasn’t fair that Lewis wasn’t quite dead, he also wasn’t quite alive, and if he had been, they would’ve been separated for months by now.

All Justice wanted was to be fucked hard, thoroughly, through the couch. And behind him, Justice was working his ass with his fingers, getting him prepared for just that.

And yet…

And yet…

As much as Justice tried to keep the dream going, he was brought back to life by the sun streaming in through the windows.

Blinking, Justice reoriented himself to real life, such as reality was in a magical realm. Here he was on that couch he’d been dreaming of being fucked through, but Merlin was in his own bed. Justice’s pajama pants were a gooey mess. At least Merlin wasn’t awake to see his shame.

Justice sneaked to the bathroom and took a shower. While getting clean, he pointedly did not think about Merlin and his long hair, his cock, how brutal he could potentially be when fucking. No, Merlin was his ZoCOS partner—or was it partner in crime now?—and that was all. Justice had a boyfriend, such as the situation was, and until his relationship status was resolved, jerking off to other guys was inappropriate.

After getting clean at record-breaking speed, he came out in a robe to find Merlin awake, already at home on the couch with cereal and coffee. His eyes didn’t leave the television. “Might want to grab a coffee. There’s some news you should see.”

Merlin held out a cup as he eyed Justice up and down. There was a strange, almost defensive look on his face. “Don’t worry; I brewed it, not my mom.”

Did Merlin know about the sordid dream? Could Merlin know? Did it smell like cum in the room? Was the couch sticky?

Maybe in the magical world there were dream pixies out there looking to force awkward situations on people. If there were, they’d done a good job.

Justice took the mug but remained standing. Instead of continuing to gawk at Merlin, he turned his attention to the television. There was a reporter behind a desk on the screen. Behind her was a smaller screen with miniaturized chaos going on. “What’s happening?”

“All hell’s breaking loose.” Merlin took a sip of coffee, looking calm and determined.

Oh no. Justice needed to sit down; he settled for the arm. “Because of what we did?”

“I don’t think so. Could be.” Merlin sighed and eyed Justice. “Apparently a wave of…something…went through, they said. Like a breeze that passed through everyone. Obviously, I wasn’t down there the first time but they’re saying that’s how the whole zombie mess started.”

Justice nodded. It had struck him as odd that down to a person, everyone said that was what they had experienced, in the very same way—a gentle breeze that passed through each person, a moment of calm before the storm. He’d been on a motorcycle, so he didn’t recall that. Now he wished he did. Maybe he’d have a better sense of what it meant. The idea that the gentle breeze which turned people into zombies had happened again made Justice sick to his stomach.

Justice eyed the screen and watched their talking heads and smiling faces. Because the screen now featured the whole desk of commentators speaking, whatever was happening on Earth was no longer in the frame. Whatever was going on seemed to make the news people happy. When he looked back at Merlin, he didn’t appear to share in their joy. “And then what?”

“According to the news, roughly ten percent of the zombie population came back to life. Real life, no more zombie life.” Merlin took another sip of coffee.

“What? Alive?” That could mean Lewis was alive. Lewis! Oh, and Justice had left the place a mess. Lewis was going to be pissed off. He needed groceries. Why did Merlin look so worried? Was there something wrong with how the zombies came back? “That’s good news, right?”

Merlin pulled back his long hair. He’d taken off the pajama top, leaving him in slinky silver bottoms. His abs rippled with each breath. “About the same number died completely. The majority was unaffected.”

“Oh.” Justice turned so he’d stop staring at Merlin’s body. He’d seemed so thin, Justice hadn’t expected him to be so well built, but it made sense. He was very strong. If that wasn’t magic. Or… Fuck it. He shouldn’t be thinking about Merlin’s sexy torso. Lewis could be alive.

Before the zombie outbreak, Justice hadn’t been sure where they stood. They’d been fighting. He’d said things he didn’t mean. Particularly after the threesome debacle, Lewis took it as a sign that it was okay to sleep with other people. Their relationship was a big mess, but was it over? He didn’t know. Lewis coming back to life was what Justice had been hoping would happen. Now he could receive closure if their relationship was over or to go forward with Lewis if it wasn’t.

There was also the possibility that Lewis was dead, apparently. That was unimaginable. After where they’d left it, Justice didn’t think he could handle not getting to talk it through with Lewis and to say goodbye. “I need to get down there. I have to see if…”

“Oh.” The television switched off. Merlin’s footsteps were heavy across the room. The hinges on the wardrobe squeaked as he opened it. “You have someone. Someone you’re serious about.”

The way that Merlin said it, it sounded more like an accusation than an observation. Justice looked up to respond just in time to see his clothes flying at his face. They smelled as if they’d been cleaned. Magic, probably. “Yeah. I do.”

I think.

“All this time we’ve been together; he’s been a zombie?” The rustle of clothes indicated Merlin was getting dressed.

Justice turned his back on him and did the same. “Yeah.”

“You didn’t think to mention it?” Merlin’s tone was neutral, but Justice detected annoyance.

“I‘m sorry. Everything happened so fast. It just didn’t come up. But you’re right. I should’ve told you. If nothing else, these past twenty-four hours have proven that I can trust you.” He paused. “His name is Lewis.” Justice had just finished dressing and was looking for his shoes when Merlin hugged him from behind. Not for long. If he’d have blinked, he would’ve missed it.

“Do you need me to stay with you?”

The touch had been so surprising that for a moment, Justice was at a loss for words. It had been so long since he’d received that level of affection that he wanted to bask in the moment. Who knew how Lewis would feel if he was alive? It could be a long time before Justice received another hug.

When he turned around, he found Merlin busying himself in front of a full-length mirror as if nothing had happened.

“Is it safe for us to go back?”

Merlin eyed Justice in the mirror. He frowned and then looked back over at the blank television screen. “No mention of us at all. A bunch of zombies escaping to church is probably the last thing on everyone’s mind right now. Sounded like a big homecoming for some families and grieving for others. I think it will be okay.” He straightened his collar and turned around.

Merlin dressed formally, as if he was prepared for their worlds to be separated and that he knew he belonged in this one.

“What about Sauron?” Justice shoved his hands in his pockets to keep himself from crossing to Merlin and taking a hug. He knew he had to get back to his world and deal with his life; that was all he’d wanted. What Justice hadn’t counted on was how quickly he’d grown attached to Merlin, and the suit seemed to be a symbol of Merlin trying to distance himself back to the man he’d been at the start.

This is so irrational. It’s just his clothes. Besides, he offered to come with me.

“I can find him later if you need me right now.” Merlin shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets as if he was also trying to root himself to his spot. “I know where he lives.”

Part of Justice wished Merlin wouldn’t come along. That could lead to extreme awkwardness, particularly if he was intending on getting back with Lewis. He was so confused; all he wanted was to be held, but since he wasn’t willing to make the first move for another embrace, he continued to just stand there. “If Sauron’s in the middle of all this, you should find out.”

“Yeah. I should.” Merlin slouched and scanned the floor. “I have to take you down anyway. It’s not as if I can just point you to the nearest exit and wish you luck. I’ll come down, we’ll make sure everything’s okay, and if you’re in a good place and having a happy reunion, I can fuck off, check in with you later. Fair?”