He never thought this would happen. But here he was with Mush, his best friend... Blink pulled back for breath, panting a little, his lips swollen from kissing. Mush smiled, his eyes big and soft and his expression giddy.
My lover's got humor. He's the giggle at a funeral.
The other boy pulled him back down to lay on the narrow bunk, facing each other, noses almost touching, their legs tangled up together.
Knows everybody's disapproval. I should've worshiped him sooner.
"Just look at you, Blink," he said, a touch of awe in his voice.
If the heavens ever did speak, he's the last true mouthpiece.
This day was one in a million. The boys were all at Medda's theatre, having a party of some kind. Blink hadn't sold enough to justify spending a whole penny on a ticket.
Every Sunday's getting more bleak. A fresh poison each week.
Mush had gallantly offered to stay with him, claiming he didn't want him to be alone. Mush had been his best friend since they were kids, he should have been comfortable alone with him. The tension was unbelievable, and it could only be Blink's fault.
"We were born sick." You heard them say it. My church offers no absolutes.
But Mush had been the one to pull him close, to press a chaste kiss to his lips. Maybe... Could he have felt it too?
He tells me "Worship in the bedroom."
The heavy, achy feeling in Blink's chest lifted for the first time since he could remember. This was wrong. It was so, so wrong, but it felt so right.
The only Heaven I'll be sent to is when I'm alone with you.
It couldn't be wrong. Nothing involving Mush —his best friend, strong Mush, gentle Mush, beautiful Mush— could possibly be wrong. Traditions be damned.
I was born sick, but I love it.
It took all his restraint to hold back, to keep from grabbing Mush and telling him everything, exactly what he needed, exactly what he felt. Mush felt the same way. There was no hurry.
Command me to be well.
Blink felt a hand slip under the hem of his shirt, ghosting lightly over his stomach and up his chest, and he could have sworn he was floating.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Another hand moved to caress Blink's face, and he closed his eyes, biting hard on his lower lip. This was heaven.
Take me to church, I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your life.
He'd never felt this at ease. Mush knew him, better than anyone else. He knew every scar, every flaw, every imperfection. For maybe the first time in his life, there was nothing to hide.
I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife. Offer me that deathless death.
He reached up to slip off his eyepatch, tossing it carelessly onto the bed.
Good God, let me give you my life.
Mush shifted, leaning forward over Blink, pulling his shirt over his head and dropping it onto the floor. Blink was all too happy to run his hands over his chest, covering every dip and scar and every inch in kisses.
Take me to church, I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your life.
He was dimly aware that things would never be like they were. After a night like this, God, how could they?
I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife.
Their friendship was gone forever. But this was so, so much better.
Offer me that deathless death. Good God, let me give you my life.
Already, life seemed better. Waking up every morning would be almost worth it if Mush was the first thing he saw. And going to bed, knowing that he'd have to do it all over again tomorrow— if Mush was by his side, he almost didn't mind.
If I'm a pagan of the good times, my lover's the sunlight.
This was the start of something new, something beautiful. It had only been in his grasp for a few moments, and Blink already knew he'd do anything to keep it.
To keep the gods on my side, they demands a sacrifice.
He'd stop selling papers right now. He'd get a factory job, go back to school, starve in the gutter. Anything, if it meant keeping Mush.
Drain the whole sea, get something shiny, something meaty for the main course.
People would talk. That had been his daily nightmare for years, but now he didn't even care. So what if they got arrested? So what if everyone knew?
That's a fine looking high horse. What you got in the stable?
Now that he'd tasted heaven he could never go back. The ache in his chest was back, not so strong now. He had a hunger for more, more touch, more closeness, more Mush.
We've a lot of starving faithful. That looks tasty. That looks plenty. This is hungry work.
He'd never given much thought to the future, to where he'd go when he left the lodging house. Two working men could pay for a room easily enough. Or maybe even a tenement, an apartment, a house in the country. Somewhere peaceful, quiet, away from prying eyes. Their own little corner of heaven.
Take me to church, I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your life.
Blink felt lightheaded from the wave of bliss washing over him, stronger than he'd ever felt. And another thing he'd never felt— a burning desire to return the favor, to make Mush feel just as good.
I'll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife. Offer me my deathless death.
The sound Mush made had Blink weak, and he knew right then that give him anything he asked for.
Good God, let me give you my life.
The sun had just gone down. The other boys wouldn't be back for hours. They had all the time in the world. And Blink planned on using it to the fullest.
Take me to church, I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your life.
Mush pressed a feather light kiss to the scar over his blind eye. Blink felt himself melt at the gentleness of his lips, the strength that he used to grab his hips and pull him closer.
I'll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife.
Mush knew him. He knew him better than anyone, and he loved him anyways.
Offer me my deathless death. Good God, let me give you my life.
The giddy excitement came rushing into him, making him lightheaded and smiling wide enough to make Mush laugh. Finally, they had something that was theirs.
No masters or kings when the ritual begins.
No more sharing Mush with the pretty girls who came knocking on the lodging house door looking for a date. Mush was solely and completely his.
There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin.
His to love, his to cherish, his to protect and please and give him whatever he wanted, so long as he'd stay. And maybe— maybe— love Blink the same way.
In the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene, only then I am human. Only then I am clean.
He felt more complete than... than before he'd lost his eye. His scars didn't matter, him being broken didn't matter. Mush was looking at him like he was a prince, and he felt perfect.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
He never wanted tonight to end.
Good God, let me give you my life.
(A/N): Inspired by Take Me To Church by Hozier. (And the episode of Druck, where Matteo and David have their love scene with Take Me To Church playing in the background. It's been months since I first watched it and I haven't been able to get it out of my head.
Chapter two! I hope you like it! There will be four more chapters after this, and I have most of them written already. So hopefully there won't be too long of a wait until the next update. Love you! Thank you yo everyone who followed and reviewed' and please let me know what you thought of this chapter! 3