Otto had been up all night playing video games, but he'd been stuck on one level for hours. He was frustrated and threw the controller into the wall. Nova and Sparks had been asleep for a few hours, and Gibson had fallen asleep in his lab with Avery. Otto grumbled and got up and went to the kitchen. He entered and found Antauri holding a cup.
"Hey." Otto said quietly. Antauri stiffened and turned.
"Hey," He said hesitantly.
"How'd you sleep?" Otto asked.
"Not well." Antauri said back. "Yourself?"
"I didn't." Otto said quietly. The two stood in silence for a minute before Antauri coughed a little.
"I'll uh, be going then." He said. Otto grabbed his wrist as he passed.
"Antauri wait," He said. The black monkey froze and made eye contact with Otto.
"Is something wrong?" He asked. Otto shook his head but still didn't let go.
"No, I just," Otto started. "Well, yes. Everything is wrong." Antauri was torn between trying to leave, and savoring what could be the final touch he ever received from Otto.
"Otto, you're hurting me." Antauri said. Otto let go of his arm and Antauri rubbed his arm gently.
"Antauri, can you just, talk to me?" Otto asked. Antauri felt the fear crawl back up into his gut.
"Yes, I" Antauri stopped. "Yes." Otto sighed and looked Antauri dead in the eyes.
"How long have you, well, you know?" Otto asked.
"A little over 3 months now." Antauri said. Otto rubbed his back.
"Three months. Wow, that's, a chunk of time." Otto said. Antauri nodded and fiddled with his hands.
"I didn't really understand what was happening at first. I had strange dreams, and then visions, even those of our primal selves." Antauri explained. "I only first thought of the possibility after I'd seen Avery and Gibson one night."
"So, just to set the record clear," Otto started. "Are you officially declaring to me that you have a crush on me?" Antauri sighed and looked at the ground.
"Yes, I am Otto." Antauri said. Otto chuckled a little and then full on giggled.
"Hee hee, Antauri has a crush on me." Otto giggled to himself. Antauri stood up and was going towards the door.
"Yes well, please refrain from making fun of it in front of me." He said. Otto grabbed his hand again and turned Antauri around with a smile.
"I never said I didn't like it." Otto said grinning. Antauri's face flushed immediately.
"W-What do you mean?" Antauri asked stuttering. Otto giggled again and traced his hand up Antauri's back.
"I mean," Otto said, grabbing Antauri around the waste. "That I couldn't think of a single person I'd rather share my first kiss with." Antauri's heart was hammering in his throat now as he struggled to find his breath.
"Otto I still don't understand what you-" Antauri started but was cut off with Otto's finger over his mouth.
"I saw Gibson and Avery do this, and have wanted to try it since." Otto said, pressing his lips to Antauri's gently. Otto pulled away and looked at Antauri. "Antauri?" He asked. Antauri didn't respond. Otto extended his arm over and flipped the lights on. Antauri's eyes weren't responding. Otto knocked gently on his dome. Nothing. He checked the back of his head and saw the blipping green light.
"Holy crap, he's rebooting." Otto muttered.
"Oh yes, I did the same thing when Avery first kissed me." Gibson said from the doorway. Otto shrieked and turned.
"Dammit Gibson!" Otto said loudly. Antauri's systems came back online and he blinked himself awake.
"Gibson what happened?" Antauri asked. "And why is, am I," He looked around and saw that Otto was holding him close against his chest. His face flushed and he shut his mouth, choosing to just let it happen.
"What happened? I just won a bet." Gibson said, walking away happily. Antauri was confused, but Otto yawned loudly.
"I think I'm going to go to bed." Otto said. Antauri stood up and stretched.
"Me too." Antauri said. They both left the kitchen and approached the pod room. Antauri climbed into his pod and connected his charger, when suddenly he felt warmth beside him. He turned around and saw Otto there.
"I never said who's bed I was going to." Otto said with a cheeky grin. Antauri smiled and wrapped his arms and tail around the mechanic. They fell asleep against each other and Nova covered them in a blanket. She then approached her room and knocked against the pod. Sparks groggily awoke and saw Nova standing over him cracking her knuckles.
"So what's this I hear about Gibson winning a bet?" She asked. Otto and Antauri slept peacefully through Sparks and Gibson's shrieks.
Later that day when they awoke, they saw Sparks grumbling and leaving Gibson's lab carrying a bucket. Otto was about to knock on Gibson's bedroom door when they heard a scream.
"HAL!" Avery shouted. Antauri grabbed Otto's hand.
"Do not open that door." Antauri said.