As the two of them walked up to Eridan's front door, Sollux chortled loudly.

"What? What's so funny?"

"You," Sollux answered. "I don't understand you at all. You surprise me with looking all badass on Wednesday and then you cry over flowers. I've been worrying my ass off because I was afraid you wouldn't tell me yes, and yet again, you proved me wrong. How unpredictable can you even get?"

"A lot more than this, believe me," Eridan retorted with a smirk. "This ain't even unpredictable, Sol."

"Oh?" Sollux turned Eridan around and pressed him against the door, his eyes burning with desire. "Then, pray tell, what is?"

Eridan tore his eyes away from Sollux's gaze and wiggled out from under him, darting behind him and pushing him against the door with his back playfully.

Sollux yelped in surprise. "Fuck, Eridan," he chuckled breathlessly. "Alright, you win, get your ass off me."

"What if I don't wanna?"

Sollux pushed back and knocked Eridan to the ground. "That."

"Um, ow. Fuckin' rude."

"It's so cute when you say that."

"Shut your mouth an' help me up, you imbecile."

Sollux extended his hand for Eridan to grab and dragged him up. He hardly noticed when Eridan didn't let go of his hand.

All Sollux really noticed was the inside of Eridan's home. The place was huge, with large, atmospheric rooms and high ceilings. He saw that Eridan was taking off his shoes by the door and did the same; he probably didn't want the hardwood floors getting scuffed.

"Make yourself at home, I guess. Can I get you anythin'? Eridan blushed and looked aside awkwardly, obviously not familiar with being a host. He was trying his best, though, and Sollux had to give him credit for that. He just wrapped his arms around the violet-blooded troll in response, kissing his cheek and trying to get him to smile.

"C'mon, smile for me, babe," he crooned in his ear. "You're such a pouty princess. Smiiiile."

"Mreh." Eridan made a tiny noise in protest, but his lips twitched in spite of it. Sollux began ticking him. "Oh god, Sol! Stop, st-stop!" He laughed uncontrollably as Sollux's fingers skirted over his skin. He doubled over and grabbed at Sollux's hands, which suddenly stilled. Sollux drew close to him, tilting his head down and letting his breath wash over Eridan's neck.

"Say that again," he growled, placing a series of kisses on Eridan's neck. He let his hands run over Eridan's body as he kissed him, feeling him twitch and shiver and loving every movement he made in response to his touch.

"Oh, god, Sol," he breathed. He dropped his flowers on the soft purple couch in the living room that they had somehow made it over to and wrapped his arms around Sollux before hesitating. He took a deep breath. "Please, Sol, not yet. Please."

"But, Eridan," Sollux protested into his neck. He really only wanted to tease him a bit.

"Let me go, Sollux."

He just brought him closer, lifting his own head and looking into the other man's amethyst eyes. "Sorry, I can't really do that. You see, my arms seem to be stuck to your body." He flashed a silly grin at Eridan, who rolled his eyes with a halfhearted smile. "The only way you can get me un-stuck is if you smile for real."

Eridan thrust his purple, pointed tongue out from between his upturned lips. Sollux laughed, halfway surprised. He hadn't thought Eridan had it in him to be so lighthearted. "Make me."

"Challenge accepted."

"Did you really just quote one o' those dumb internet memes?"

"I'm surprised you even know what those are."

"I know a lot more than you'd think."

Sollux sat down next to Eridan's flowers and cradled him on his lap.

"Unhand me," Eridan giggled, kicking his feet in the air and wiggling in Sollux's arms.

"No chance. You're mine now. So settle down, Princess, before you hurt your flowers or your boyfriend."

Eridan stilled, not leaning into Sollux but not attempting to increase the distance between them, either. Eridan still seemed rather shy about intimacy, though, even simple things like kissing or cuddling.

Perhaps he's just afraid of being hurt again.

Sollux understood that, and worried if he was being insensitive to Eridan's feelings by being so forward.

"Sol, lemme go, I'm hungry."

Eridan's demand brought Sollux back from the realms unexplored and he looked down at him. He didn't really want to let him go.

"Want me to order something?"

"Uh…"

"I just figured you didn't feel like cooking."

Well, that was half of the truth.

"To be honest, I really kinda don't. What d'you have in mind?"

"Tacos."

"Fish tacos?"

"Nah, steak tacos."

"You eat meat besides fish?"

"You eat other foods besides honey, don't ya? Same rule applies."

"You sure you don't want pizza?"

"Yes."

"Augh, fine, we'll have tacos, but just because I lo— like you so much." Sollux's face burned yellow for the umpteenth time this month.

"Aww, that's sweet o' you."

"Fucking sweet as honey."

Sollux dialed the number and placed the order, Eridan still sitting in his lap. Sollux had one arm around him, pulling him close as he spoke.

"You're gonna have to let me go eventually, y'know," Eridan said once Sollux hung up.

Sollux nuzzled his neck with a contented smile on his face, making sure not to catch him with his glasses. He noted that Eridan still hadn't replaced his. "Mmm, I don't think so," he replied into the other troll's neck.

"Aw, c'mon!"

"Not happening. We will sit here and eat tacos and watch a shitty movie and cuddle and there's not a damn thing you can do about it."

"What about when our food actually gets here?"

"I'll carry you to the door and you can grab it. Easy."

Sollux was true to his word. When the doorbell rang, he rose from the couch, hoisting Eridan up with him. "Are you paying?" He looked down at Eridan. He had no money left on him.

"Yeah," Eridan replied, reaching into his pocked and grabbing his wallet.

When Sollux pulled open the door, he was greeted by Tavros, who was carrying the bag with their food in it and had a confused look on his face.

"This… looks like the right address," he muttered to himself, shifting on his robotic legs. He looked up from the sheet of paper in his hand. "Oh, hey, Sollux! And… Eridan?"

"Hey, Tavros," Sollux greeted.

"Hi, Tav. New on the job?" Eridan asked cordially.

"Um, yeah. Am I at the right place?"

"Yep." Eridan handed Tavros the money and took the bag. "How are things between you an' Gam?"

"Great, actually! Gamzee's finally getting the help he needs and he'll be able to hold down a job soon. It's been rough getting here, but it's worth it."

"Yeah, Karkat said something about Gamzee getting some help, I think," Sollux piped up.

Tavros nodded. "Can I ask why you're carrying Eridan, though?"

Sollux's eyes welled up with anxiety behind his glasses; would Eridan appreciate him telling Tavros the truth?"

"Sol an' I decided to try somethin' new. That's all."

Sollux sighed in relief internally— the answer had been vague, but it was good enough for Tavros.

"Alright, well, I gotta get back to work. See you guys around!"

Eridan waved to Tavros as he drove away. Sollux carried him back inside and shut the door behind them, then sat back down on the couch. He flipped through the channels on the TV, Eridan still in his lap, until he found a movie they both liked, then cuddled Eridan close as they ate. As they sat there and casually talked about the movie they were watching, they both thought the same thing.

I could get used to this.