Archive of Our Own

It was a date Lycaon disliked the most - annual maintenance. For two or so days he was stuck at home while his prosthetics were being repaired. It's not like he couldn't fix them on his own if needed, - to be honest, Lycaon would really like to do everything himself, - but it was one of those occasions where he had to compromise his desires for the sake of principles. As health check ups, annual maintenance must be done, whether he likes it or not.

So there he was. Basically stuck in his room. Of course, if he really needs to, he can always put on his spare, less advanced prosthetics. Unfortunately, they were a lot harder for him to use, since his usual mechanical limbs were a functional copy of his meat legs, if not better, and he used them most of the time. Moreover, his spare prosthetics were not intended for long-term wear. And, since he struggled to walk with them, he wasn't in his best mood. Therefore, during such checks he took two days off and spent most of his time at home, moving around in a wheelchair. At least like that he wouldn't be able to scare some unlucky passerby with his gloomy face.

His phone vibrated and new massage popped on the screen.

«Boss, me&Corin finished comission. Were going to Lumine square, do you need anything? Rina with us 2» Ellen texted him in a group chat.

«No, thank you.» He typed slowly, his claws audibly click on the screen.

«If you'll change your mind, let us know, Mr.Lycaon» a second later Rina edited her message, adding a smile emoji.

Lycaon sighed and turned off his phone. Leaning back in his wheelchair, he closed his eye, sucked in a loud breath, and then stared at the ceiling.

It was only for a two days anyway, he repeated to himself. He just needs to busy himself with small tasks, like reading or knitting. Maybe both. Lycaon needed something to keep himself distracted from the apathy he feels every time he has nothing to do.

He sighed again, this time quieter and looked at his spare prosthetics debating whether he want to force himself to go outside or not

Then, he heard a quiet rustling sound from the window. Lycaon's ear twitched in slight annoyance as he turned to see the only person who purposefully refused to use the door as any normal person would.

Hugo.

"Hello-hello, my dear foolish maggot of a partner," he greeted him with a million denny smile.

If Lycaon wasn't this grumpy, he would be happy to see him.

"Have you ever heard of the need to give notice of your visit? Or at least that doors exist?" Lycaon growled a little more aggressively than he had planned.

"Well, aren't you charming?" Hugo raised an eyebrow. Only now did Lycaon notice that he was holding some kind of package. "I, by the way, brought you some food, you ill-mannered mutt."

Hugo gracefully jumped from the windowsill to the floor of the room, after which he immediately plopped down on the bed close to Lycaon, leaning his hands on the back of the wheelchair.

"I came with the best of intentions, all for my beloved partner, who's currently stuck in four walls, and you..." Hugo sighed theatrically, placing his hand against his chest to add, "If I knew I'd be greeted like that, I'd think twice about showing up."

"Stop pitying me. Or feeling guilty. I've told you many times, it's not your fault." Lycaon grumbled. "I'm fine."

For a second there was silence. Lycaon couldn't see Hugo's face, purposefully avoiding his gaze. Warm hands touched his fur.

"I don't feel pity to you, fool. I just... Missed you." Hugo said quietly, burying his face in the crown of Lycaon's head, hugging him from behind. "And you, to my incredible luck, not in position to run away. How could I resist?"

"..." Lycaon sighed in irritation, although the corners of his lips twitched slightly upwards. "You're insufferable."

"You're welcome, dummy." Hugo laughed, before resting his head on Lycaon's shoulder. "Sooooo... Do you want to see what I've brought so you won't starve to death in your misery?"

"You're so eager to show me that, huh? I might start to think you brought poison." Lycaon snorted.

"I would never do that," Hugo stood up, after which he immediately dragged a chair from the desk standing in the corner of the room, placing it opposite Lycaon. "Or would I?"

"You would. And probably spit in it too." Lycaon watched his partner's theatrics with unimpressed expression.

"You wound me, love."

Lycaon's breath hitched. Hugo rarely, if never, used these endearing nicknames the other couples did. He preferred being harsh, weaponising every word he says, even to his loved ones. After their split, Lycaon would never think he deserved being called something nice, even in half-mocking context.

His tail unconsciously wagged.

"Okay, so first thing first we have," Hugo looked incredibly pleased with himself, but the way he smiled did not bode well for Lycaon. Meanwhile, he pulled out a container from the bag, and, without forgetting to add a dramatic pause, exclaimed "A milk-chocolate jelly!"

Lycaon raised an eyebrow, his face seeming to say in large letters: "Seriously?"

"Come on, Lycaon, don't tell me you really thought I've brought food just for you!" Hugo presses his hand against his chest in a dramatic manner. "I'm not going to choke on saliva just because I had the heart not to leave you sitting alone in this room. Here, this one is for you."

The second container contained a raspberry cheesecake. It wasn't big, Lycaon was sure he could finish it in one bite, but he still felt warm in his chest. Despite so many years of being apart, bitterness, hate and resentment, Hugo still remembered what dessert he likes.

It's not that Lycaon himself doesn't remember such small details as which specific chocolate coins Hugo prefers, but that's different. Probably.

"We need tea. Wait here for a second." Lycaon set his cheesecake down on the nightstand and, with one last anticipatory glance, spun the wheels of his wheelchair when he suddenly stopped. "You're going with me."

"What? Why?" Hugo, who had almost put a spoonful of jelly in his mouth, froze in surprise, his eyes showing confusion.

"Considering how much you love sweets, I don't trust leaving you alone with my cheesecake."

For a second Hugo looked stunned at accusations, but then he brust out a laugh.

"You know what, I'll let you win for now." After laughing, Hugo put his jelly down. "But, I have a request."

Lycaon tilted his head in bewilderment and twitched his ear.

"You see, my dear partner, although you can outrun me over long distances, I have learned a few things over the years," Lycaon really don't like where this is going, "and that is why I want you to put on these prosthetics and we can walk to the kitchen together."

"No."

"Come on, Lycaon. What, are you scared to loose?"

"No, I'm not." Lycaon crossed his arms over his chest.

"Then why not?"

There was a pause. Hugo stared at Lycaon while thiren thought about what to say. Opening his heart to Hugo, saying that he still didn't feel confident with his replacement prosthetics - he wouldn't tell him that for anything in the world.

Hugo chuckled and leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.

"What's on your mind?" He whispered, drawing out the last word. Seeing Lycaon's hesitation, he added with a sly smile"Don't you think it's a perfect to teach me a lesson about how to talk about my feelings by using yourself example?"

Lycaon sighed. He hates when Hugo's taunting works on him.

"I..." He paused, closed his eye and quickly muttered. "Imstillnotusedtotheseprosthetics."

Hugo went quiet and then brust out with laughter.

"Hugo-"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Lycaon might have accepted the apology if Hugo hadn't continued to giggle. "So you're sitting here, being a very grumpy oaf because you are embarrassed? That's it?"

"You're unbearable."

"Thanks for the compliment, darling." Hugo finally calmed down enough to stand straight and to take Lycaon's prosthetics.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm simply leveling our chances of winning the race to the kitchen. Plus, I'm ensuring my safety - I can't guarantee that you won't decide to run me over in your wheelchair." Hugo kneeled before Lycaon, and looked up at him with mischievous look in his mismatched eyes.

"I've never said that I agree to participate in this stupid race."

"Well then," Hugo placed the prosthetics on Lycaon's lap and headed for the door, "I suppose, I'll just add some extra sugar in your tea."

".... Wait."

God, he hates when Hugo does that.

Click! And Lycaon, slowly, awkwardly stumbling over his own feet, he walked towards Hugo, who looked indecently pleased. Without the imitation of leg muscles, it was extremely difficult to move in the prosthetics, but he managed to get to the door without falling.

"See? It's not that embarrassing after all," Hugo's smile became wider. "At least not as embarrassing as that one time in the noodle shop on Lumine square..."

"I should have kicked you out the house."

The path to the kitchen was extremely slow. Hugo walked alongside him, step by step, supporting Lycaon if he stumbled and teasing him restlessly. It was surprisingly nice. Lycaon thought he'd hate to be in this embarrassing and vulnerable position, but he found himself kinda enjoying Hugo's company, even with all this taunting.

Already approaching the kitchen, Hugo suddenly sped up, arriving to the room a few seconds before Lycaon had time to enter.

"I won!" He exclaimed, hands on hips. "And my prise will be..."

"We never agreed to that."

"Oh, don't ruin the fun. Just because you didn't think about having prise in the end doesn't mean I can't have one."

Hugo came closer, gently pushing Lycaon against the fridge.

"Well, unless you want to give me all information about your clients..." He smiled "I think a kiss will be enough as a prise for my victory."

Lycaon couldn't help but smile back. He could see every little detail on Hugo's face, every mole, every eyelash.

Mesmerizing.

"I think that will do."