Jace was settled in bed, more relaxed than he could remember being in the last few weeks. There had been an unexpected downpour today, and as a result everything was cooler than average for this time of year. Some people might have bemoaned the cold, but Jace considered it a blessing. This new apartment- they moved frequently, just in case- was situated near the Izzet's local power control building, close enough to feel a fair amount of the heat it generated year-round. In the winter it would save them considerably on their heating bill. But right now in the summer it made the space almost unbearable some nights. At least it had meant rent was cheap, but that was little comfort on the nights he and Kallist lay awake drenched in sweat. They dared not sleep with the windows open, even after all these years, so what little relief the night air might have brought them was lost.
But tonight was different. It had rained all day without even a speck of sunlight, and their apartment was pleasantly cool. Jace was looking forward to a well-deserved night of actual rest, and was just teetering on the edge of unconsciousness when he heard the bedroom door open. On reflex he reached out mentally, and brushed the familiar shape of Kallist's mind. Satisfied, he retreated back into his own head and rolled over. Normally he might have gotten up and greeted Kallist properly, but sleep was just too inviting right now.
By the time Kallist had changed into his night clothes and crawled beneath the covers, Jace was nearly asleep again. Kallist shifted closer until he was snuggled right up with his chest to Jace's back and draped one arm over him, squeezing slightly. Jace sighed in contentment and reached up to take hold of Kallist's hand.
"You didn't even say hello," Kallist said quietly.
"Mmph," Jace grunted, "too tired. Be mad at me in the morning."
Kallist chuckled, almost too soft to hear, but Jace felt the movement against his back. "You're one to complain. At least you weren't running all over the district in the rain guarding some spoiled rich folk."
Jace squeezed Kallist's hand, and was silent for a moment. "I wish your boss would take you off these late evening shifts."
"Me too. When was the last time we even had dinner together?"
"Probably not since last month."
Kallist leaned in and kissed the back of Jace's neck. "Probably. I miss you."
Jace craned around to meet his lips for a moment. "Miss you too." He could feel Kallist smiling, so he kissed him one more time before laying back down.
It was quiet for a while, nothing but the sounds of their breathing and the faint shifting of the covers as Kallist ran his hand up and down Jace's front. The touch was relaxing, but slowly Kallist's touch wandered lower and lower, until Jace blinked his eyes open.
"Um, what are you doing?"
Kallist's voice was low when he answered. "You know, I've missed you in other ways too."
"You cannot be serious." Jace grabbed Kallist's hand again and pulled it away from its destination. "You know I have work in the morning."
"Morning's not for at least another eight hours, we have time. Besides, it's been so hot lately. Don't you want to take advantage of this cool night?"
"I do want to take advantage of it. By sleeping. Neither of us has gotten a decent sleep in weeks, and you want to stay up late having sex? No, the answer is no. Go to sleep you horny bastard."
Kallist moved again, pressing his leg between Jace's and rubbing a little. "Come on, I know you enjoy it as much as I do, and your libido isn't that low. You can't tell me you haven't been missing it too?"
"Actually I can." Jace rolled onto his back and lightly shoved Kallist in the chest. "Krokt you are insufferable some days."
Kallist caught Jace's hand and held it, bringing it up to his lips and kissing the ring. "You still said yes," he said in a teasing voice. "So how about we recreate our wedding night? I'll even do that thing you like where-"
"No!" Jace cut him off. "No, stop it right there. Your silver tongue will not sway me, not tonight. I am going to sleep, and I am going to sleep now. If you are really that desperate I will create an illusion of myself in the bathroom that you can go jack off to."
Kallist was silent for a long moment, then he loudly exclaimed, "Oh you do care!" and proceeded to roll on top of Jace, laughing as he peppered Jace's face and neck with kisses.
"Stop! Stop! Damn you, stop!" Jace protested, trying fruitlessly to push Kallist off, but he was laughing too. "Get your fat ass off me!"
Kallist caught both of Jace's wrists and pinned them to the bed, then sat up enough to straddle him. He leaned down close, almost nose to nose, and pursed his lips. "We both know my ass is damn near perfect."
Jace flushed a little, ducking his head. "Yeah, well, you still weigh a ton."
Kallist closed the distance, kissing Jace slow and soft now, then pulled back out of reach, grinning when Jace tried to follow. "You know, you'd have a much easier time moving me off if you actually trained with me every day."
"Oh don't start," Jace huffed as he let his head flop back onto the pillow. "I train often enough, you're just insane."
"You wound me," Kallist mocked, then leaned back down to mouth at Jace's exposed neck. He got exactly the reaction he had been expecting when Jace closed his eyes and moaned, tilting his head more and arcing his body against Kallist's. He released one of Jace's wrists and began rubbing his hand over Jace's front and side, then slipped under Jace's loose night shirt and ran his nails gently over skin. Kallist loved how easily Jace opened up for him; he knew exactly where to touch to make the other's body dance. Some days Kallist felt he almost knew Jace better than he knew himself, but he loved knowing every bit about his husband. So he knew he'd finally broken the last of Jace's resistance when Jace wrapped his legs around Kallist's waist and pulled him close. He rewarded Jace's eagerness by rubbing his body against Jace's crotch, causing him to shudder and moan again. Satisfied that Jace wouldn't be going anywhere, Kallist sat up and tugged off his own night shirt, then took Jace by the hips, caressing and squeezing the soft flesh there. Internally he knew Jace was right about getting enough training; his hips were slightly toned, but had just enough give to be healthy. Besides, Kallist actually wouldn't want Jace any more defined, because he loved the parts of Jace that were all soft edges and perfect for grabbing.
Jace didn't unwrap his legs as he rolled his upper body to the side, reaching for the bedside lamp. Later they would both reflect that the awkward position was likely to blame for the strain to his back. But one moment Jace was smiling and eager, and the next he yelped in pain and fell back onto the bed, eyes squeezed shut and mouth open as his breathing grew laboured.
Kallist acted without hesitation, untangling himself from Jace's legs and carefully helping Jace roll onto his front. "Shh, it's okay. That's it my love, I know it hurts, I'm right here." Jace was nearly rigid with pain, but he managed to push himself over with Kallist's help. "There, easy does it."
Kallist leaned over and flicked the bedside lamp on, then knelt beside Jace and pushed his shirt up as far as it would go. He was lucky he didn't need to ask, because Jace likely wouldn't have been able to answer, which of the scars it was this time. The one between his right shoulder-blade and spine was surrounded by spasming muscle. He touched lightly, shushing gently as Jace cried out in pain again, and the muscles were so tight it almost felt like he was touching a board. As Jace's back twitched and convulsed beneath his hands, Kallist slowly began to knead the area around the scar; gently at first, but he added more pressure as he felt Jace could take it. Jace whimpered quietly, but was otherwise silent, hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. "There you go, you're doing so good. Just try and relax, I'm right here with you. Shh, it will pass, just focus on my voice."
Kallist kept whispering assurances as slowly, agonizingly slowly, Jace's back began to still and his muscles unclenched. He kept working the area until his fingers could press in with ease, and even long after that until Jace took a deep shuddering breath, slowly exhaled, and Kallist felt his whole body relax. Only then did he move his hands, gently working the muscles around Jace's neck and shoulders as Jace continued his deep breathing.
After a long while, Jace rolled over just enough to be able to look at Kallist with wet eyes. Kallist gently wiped a stray tear away, and Jace leaned into the touch. "Thank you, I'm alright now."
"Did the spasms cause anywhere else to hurt?"
"Not too much. There's a general ache everywhere, but I don't think there will be another flare up."
"If you're sure." Kallist wasn't convinced, but he didn't say any more on the issue, just quietly returned to working Jace's tension out.
The room was quiet until Jace yawned, and turned to look up at Kallist again. "You can stop. I really do think I won't have another flare up tonight."
"Alright," Kallist conceded, carefully moving off Jace and standing up beside the bed. "Can I get you anything right now? Water? Tea?"
Jace shook his head. "No, but you can come cuddle with me. I think I'd just like to try and sleep right now."
"Alright." Kallist put his discarded night shirt back on and flicked off the bedside lamp, then crawled beneath the covers. Jace snuggled up until he was half laying on top of Kallist, who wrapped his arms around him. "Comfy?"
"Mhmm," Jace hummed.
"Is there anything else I can do right now?"
"No, this is enough. Thank you, you do so much for me. I'm, ah, I'm sorry I ruined our evening."
"Hey now," Kallist scolded, bringing one hand up tap Jace gently on the nose. "None of that. You never need to apologize for your pain."
"I know, but I still do feel bad. You were right, I have been missing making love with you."
"Yeah, well, that's to be expected."
Jace looked up. "Me missing you?"
"Me being right," Kallist grinned.
Jace snorted and lightly thumped Kallist's' chest. "Insufferable." Kallist only laughed softly in response and hugged Jace tighter, still careful of where he put pressure.
"You know," Kallist mused, "I heard this rain might last a few days."
"Is that so?"
"Yep. Think you'll still miss me tomorrow night?"
Jace chuckled. "Of course I will. But right now I want to go to sleep. Goodnight, my love."
Kallist leaned down and kissed the top of Jace's head. "Goodnight. I love you too."
