The sun shines in through Victor's window, a clear, blue sky stretching out over the highway as cars flit in and out of view. He smiles at himself in the mirror as he rolls up the sleeves of his navy button-down and tucks it into his dark grey slacks, before sliding on a deep red belt around his waist. Leaving the top two buttons undone, he puts his arms through a grey blazer, leaving it unbuttoned, too, taking one last look before he grabs his phone and keys and slides them into his pocket.

He closes his door behind him and searches the hallway, noting that he's entirely alone and the dorm is quiet. Humming to himself, he slips into his shoes and heads out the door, making his way down to the entrance and letting the early afternoon air overtake him. Just outside, he sees a figure clad all in black, beret and shades and leather jacket and boots and all.

"Hey!" Benji says, twirling about to face him as he pulls him into a hug and kisses him on the cheek.

"Hey… why are you dressed like you're about to take a motorcycle to direct a play?" Victor asks with a chuckle as he motions to Benji's ensemble.

With a shrug, Benji smiles before looping his arm through Victor's. "I think the correct thing to say is 'Benji, you look really fucking cool'," he says, as they begin their stroll.

"Well, you do look really fucking cool, and also pretty hot…" Victor says, his face growing warm. "I think Pilar is gonna be jealous of your outfit."

"Thanks. You look really good, too," Benji says, reaching out and prodding at Victor's hair. "There you go…" he mutters, and Victor wonders if the cold wind has colored Benji's cheeks in that moment.

"So… where are you taking me?" Victor asks as they enter one of the many tall parking garages on campus.

"It's a surprise," is all Benji says. "Also, you should feel blessed that you'll get to actually drive in my car with me because none of our other friends have seen it yet."

"Remind me why that is again?"

"Because it's janky and hideous."

"Are you sure it's… safe?"

"I mean I haven't died yet, so…" Benji teases, unlocking the door and motioning for Victor to get in on the passenger side. Victor stares at him with wide eyes as he gets inside. "I'm joking. I just had it repaired so it should be good to go. Hop in."

Victor hesitates before he does as Benji asks, but pauses when he sees a green gift bag resting on the seat. "Can I move this?"

Benji jumps. "I think it would be better if you hold that while we drive. It's… fragile. And don't open it."

Raising an eyebrow, Victor says nothing as he sits down, putting the bag on his lap and buckling his seatbelt. Benji unzips his jacket, revealing his vest and the little red ribbon he's tied around the collar of his shirt in lieu of a tie before he buckles up, too.

"Oh, that's really cute," Victor says, giving Benji a crooked smile.

Looking down, Benji bites his lip as he smiles before he starts the car and turns on the radio to a station playing classic rock.

"Thanks. I wanted to do something a little different," he says as he drives out of the lot.

They make their way down the highway, the white light blanketing them and burning all at once as they chat away. Meanwhile, Victor cradles the surprisingly heavy bag in one hand and Benji's leg in the other, and all he can do is admire Benji's profile from the corner of his eye as if he were his very own dark angel, as they make their way down the familiar route to the suburbs of Atlanta.

"You're taking me… to my own street," Victor says with a giggle as Benji parks on the side of the road a little bit away from his apartment.

"So it seems," Benji says with a grin as he gets out of the car.

"Why did you park all the way down here?"

"No one needs to see all this," Benji says, gesturing toward his vehicle. "Got it?"

"Right."

"I'll take that," Benji says, holding his hand out for Victor to give him the bag. Victor raises an eyebrow but gives it to him anyway.

"Wait…" Victor says slowly as they make their way down the sidewalk toward his apartment, arm in arm. He slips his phone out of his pocket and checks the date and he can't stop himself from smiling, the muscles in his face on overdrive as his lips curl upward. They're outside the front door when Victor says: "Ohhhhh it's my birthday!"

"Shhh. It's supposed to be a surprise," Benji says with a laugh as he leans against Victor's shoulder. "At least pretend you didn't know? I honestly thought I'd almost pulled it off," he whispers.

"Well, I forgot, so… Also, how did you know where I live?"

"Let's… talk about this later. They're waiting for you," Benji says, motioning to the door.

With a shrug, Victor opens the door to his apartment, putting on his best fake-surprised face as his family and friends leap out from behind the furniture in their living room with a loud "Surprise!" Across the room, a banner that reads "Happy Birthday, Victor!" stretches from one wall to the other in big red letters. Streamers and balloons of all colors decorate the living room.

"Happy birthday, mijo!" Isabel says, clad in a floral lavender dress and heels, pulling Victor and Benji inside and shutting the door behind them. She embraces both of them at the same time.

"Thanks, mom," Victor says with a grimace.

"It's good to see you again, Isabel," Benji says with a chuckle.

"Don't you look handsome…" she says when they part, giving Victor a once-over as she pats his shoulders. "And Benji, look at you! So fashionable as always," she says, turning to Benji and fawning over him, which makes Victor raise an eyebrow. "You two make such a cute couple… wait, I smell something burning…" she says, head snapping around toward the kitchen. "Excuse me for a moment…"

With that, she trots away, leaving Benji and Victor to blush at each other before the parade of happy birthday wishes interrupts them and Victor gets kidnapped by the rest of his family and friends. Smile plastered to his face to the point where it almost hurts, Victor makes his way through those who'd gathered as generic pop music floats around them.

Aside from his parents and siblings, along with his friends from school and a few of the guys from the basketball team, his grandparents also decided to make an appearance. Victor swallows the lump in his throat as he approaches them, remembering the previous times he'd seen them, and every time, it hadn't gone well. He's vaguely aware of Benji's presence beside him.

"Hi, Abuela Nati, Tito, how are you?" he asks, voice wavering, as he endures hugs and greetings from his grandparents.

"Ay, mi nino, you look so much like your grandfather did when he was your age, right, Tito?" Nati says, holding his face in her hands.

"Si, si. But much more stylish than I was," Tito says, clapping him on the shoulder. "Still no novia, though?" he asks.

Victor takes a deep breath, using all his self control to stop himself from rolling his eyes. "Tito, we've been over this. I'm not gonna have a novia because I'm gay," he says, dragging his palm down his face with a sigh.

"Just checking," Tito says with a wink. "I don't know how long this phase will last…"

"Is that your boyfriend, then?" Nati asks, nodding toward Benji, who is in the midst of a conversation with Lake, Mia and Isabel. They'd found a spot in the kitchen by the food that had been set out on the table for people to take.

"The one who looks like a French street performer?" Tito asks.

Ignoring his grandfather's comment and blushing, Victor follows Nati's gaze and just at the moment, his pupils connect with Benji's. When Benji gives him a soft smile, Victor finds himself staring for a little bit too long.

"Uh… no. He's not," Victor says absently as he slowly averts his gaze.

"Hmm…" Nati hums, and Victor tilts his head at her. "Would you like him to be?" she asks.

"Maybe," Victor says quietly. There's a momentary pause between them. "Anyway… it's good seeing you," Victor says a bit louder, giving them a curt nod before he departs.

"Oh, god, you look traumatized," Pilar mutters into Victor's ear, pulling him out into the hallway out of earshot of their grandparents. "How did it go with Tito and Nati?"

"Hello to you, too," Victor says dryly.

"Hey, I already wished you happy birthday," Pilar says, crossing her arms over her chest. "Spill."

"I mean… I feel like they're trying," Victor says, scratching the back of his head. "Honestly, as long as they don't give Benji a hard time, I'm not even… oh god," Victor says, watching as Benji sits down and drums up a conversation with his grandparents. "They're talking…" he whispers, more to himself than to Pilar.

"Hey, relax. You're here to have fun, not try to put out fires, okay? Just loosen up a bit, man. Do you want me to get you some tequila?"

"But I'm not legal…? Mom won't be happy about that."

"You're not driving anywhere, right? You can have a couple shots, it won't kill you."

"Fine… but only two."

Pilar slips away for a moment and returns almost immediately carrying two shot glasses. She hands them to Victor. "Cheers. We don't have any lime, though."

"I don't mind. That was fast, though."

"I already poured them and I figured you would need it," Pilar says with a shrug, and Victor makes a face before he nods; she's right.

"Do you want a chaser?"

"No, I'm good," Victor says, tipping his head back and letting the burning golden liquid slosh down his throat. He gives the second one a go and cringes a bit. "Actually, lemme get some water…"

Victor returns to the kitchen with a smirking Pilar, pouring himself a cup of water and downing it as he watches the scene in the living room unfold. Benji had removed his shades and shed his jacket, exposing his vest and puffy sleeves and looking radiant as usual in Victor's eyes. It's as if he can feel Victor watching him because as soon as he does, Benji's eyes flit to him and he smiles again, tucking a lock of hair behind his ear before erupting into laughter at something that Victor's grandmother had said.

He sighs, tearing his gaze away and taking a plate as he approaches the food, piling on a little bit of everything—empanadas, platanos, pasta, what looks like fried chicken, some colorful rice, vegetable curry, spring rolls, an eclectic mix of foods that makes Victor realize that most of it had been brought in by his friends.

Taking a seat at the table with Andrew and Fee, along with some of his buddies from the basketball team, Teddy and Kieran, Victor falls into conversation with them about fantasy football, which he knows a decent amount about but hasn't been following much lately.

Soon, he can feel the effects of the alcohol muddling his mind like a pond during a storm, his brain becoming heavy in his head while his problems fly away for the moment. He watches Benji mingle, chewing on autopilot until his body forgets the sensation of food from how rote the movements become. Something about the way Benji seems to effortlessly get along with everyone, his sheer magnetism, makes him think back to his grandmother's question, as Benji seems to subconsciously hear his thoughts and thus, returns to his side.

A bit later, once everyone had eaten, Pilar suggests a game of Mafia. She drags Victor into the living room, sitting him down beside Mia and then placing herself on his opposite side.

"No, no, no… you're not sitting there," Victor snaps.

"Why not?" Pilar asks, scandalized.

Victor glances up, waving to get Benji's attention. "That's Benji's seat. Move. Please. I'm the birthday boy so that means I'm your overlord today and you have to listen to me."

Pilar rolls her eyes and groans but does as Victor asks, sliding down a seat and watching as Victor pats the chair between them. Benji flashes a grin as he sits down and leans against Victor's shoulder, eyelids fluttering closed at the warm sensation of their close contact.

The rest of the guests gather there, too, sitting in a circle. Pilar takes a deck of cards and separates them, counting thirteen out and setting the rest aside.

"Who wants to be the mayor?" Pilar asks.

There's a hush, and Fee nudges Andrew. "You have a good voice," they say.

"Fine…" Andrew mutters, before he says: "I'll be the mayor."

"Cool…" Pilar says, giving him a notebook and a pen. "Now the rest of you, there are thirteen cards in here. Aces are Mafia, King is the Detective, Queen is the Doctor, and the rest are Civilians. Don't show anyone your cards or tell anyone who you are unless you want the death penalty," she explains. "And no, that's not a joke, your character will literally die and you'll be disqualified this round. Every night, the Mafia decides on one person to kill. And the goal of the game is to basically keep yourself alive as long as possible. By any means necessary."

They pass the cards around and everyone takes one, starting with Victor. He peeks at the card, trying his best not to let anyone else see: Ace of Spades.

His lip twitches and he clears his throat, sitting up a bit straighter and putting on his best poker face. Benji raises an eyebrow beside him but says nothing. As the others pick up their cards and look, Victor notes their reactions, Fee in particular, whose eyes go wide and they grin, before they catch themself and go neutral, too.

"All right, folks, listen up. It's nighttime, which means anyone who is not Mafia, close your eyes."

Victor watches as everyone but Adrian, Fee, and Teddy close their eyes. He smirks and scans the crowd before his eyes land on Lake, and he points to her. Adrian points at Pilar, and Teddy and Fee point to Kieran. Stroking his chin, Victor grins as he points to Kieran, too. With a shrug, Adrian concedes, and they decide that Kieran will be their first body.

"Mafia, close your eyes. Now the detective gets to come out…"

Closing his eyes, Victor waits.

"Finally, the Doctor gets to decide who he's gonna save…" A few moments pass, and Andrew speaks again. "Okay, it's the next day, ya'll, and it looks like the Mafia have shivved… Kieran!"

"Aww, man!" Kieran cries, pouting as he gives his card to Andrew.

"And it looks like… you got a Civilian. A sad day indeed. Rest in peace, Kieran. Sometimes I even feel like I can hear his voice… Anyway, it's time to deliberate. Whodunit?" Andrew says.

Scanning the crowd, Victor grits his teeth to keep his expression neutral. He strokes his chin, gaze resting on Lake.

"Obviously it was Fee!" Lake says, pointing an accusatory finger at them, and Fee covers their mouth in feign offense.

"Me? Do I look like a murderer?" Fee fires back. "You know I'm a terrible liar."

Lake stomps her foot. "Dang it, you're right…"

"The only reason you accused Fee was because you're mafia, Lake," Victor says, clicking his tongue and shaking his head.

"Wait, that's a good point," Benji says from beside him, leaning forward. "You were really quick to throw the first stone."

"Hey! What about you, Mister? You seem real quick to agree with Victor," Mia says. "Don't tell me you two are in cahoots."

Victor and Benji stare at each other with raised eyebrows. "No we aren't!" they say simultaneously.

"Hah! Then that means one of you is Mafia!" Lake says with a sly grin.

The entire room erupts into chaos as they argue their cases, until Andrew calls time and Armando becomes the prime suspect. "All right, all right. That's enough. It's time to decide if Armando gets to go to the gallows."

"This is such a violent game…" Andrian mutters.

"All in favor put your hands up," Andrew says, and most of the room puts their hands up. "Yeah, you're done."

Armando returns his card with a shrug.

"Another civilian down. If the Mafia keeps this up, y'all might actually win this thing…" Andrew says. "Anyway," he claps his hands together. "Next round, so close your eyes if you aren't Mafia, please…"

This time, Fee points beside Victor, and when he turns to follow their gaze, Victor can't stop himself from shaking his head so vigorously, it could fall off his neck. Teddy rolls his eyes and shrugs, pointing at Tito, and they all shrug and nod in agreement.

They go through another round and Tito is eliminated. The deliberations begin again.

"Okay, Victor's definitely Mafia," Benji says, pointing beside him.

"No way, if anyone's Mafia, you are," Victor says.

"I think you're a lot more suspicious, Benji. The only way you would know who's definitely Mafia would be if you were also Mafia. Unless you're the Detective?" Lake says.

"I'm the Detective," Victor says quickly.

Benji narrows his eyes at him. He opens his mouth to speak but then closes it right away, pointing at Pilar. "Pilar hasn't said anything the whole game, that's suspicious."

They argue some more, ultimately deciding to execute Victor's grandmother, who is also a Civilian.

The rounds continue until only Victor, Benji, Lake, Pilar, Mia and Fee are left. Isabel had been the Doctor, and her loss means no one can be resurrected from death. They'd even sacrificed Adrian to throw people off, which was fine with him because he had already gotten bored of the game and went to his room to do something else.

Night falls again, and Victor and Fee eye each other, deliberating on who they want their next victim to be. They settle on Lake, who shrieks as she's eliminated; she'd been a Civilian, too.

"Fee's Mafia," Mia says. "You keep smiling, stop that. Somehow you managed to keep it under control but like… it's so obvious now."

"You're literally smiling right now," Victor says.

"That's different," Mia snaps.

"No, Mia's right, Fee is super obvious," Benji deadpans.

"I want this to be over so I'm gonna agree with Benji and Mia on this one. To the chopping block with you, Fee!" Pilar says.

"The gallows aren't a chopping block, it's a thing for hanging people," Andrew explains.

"Whatever," Pilar says, rolling her eyes.

"But yeah, sorry, babe, you're dead. Rest in peace," Andrew says to Fee as they return their card. "Yeah, we all predicted that you were Mafia. Anyway…"

They continue one more round and Victor hides the victorious grin on his face as the next round comes, and he chooses Pilar as the next victim.

And now it's Mia and Benji left against him.

"You're not the Detective," Mia snaps at Victor. "It might be your birthday but you still need to die."

"Yeah. Sorry Vic, all's fair in love and war," Benji says.

"Don't you think it's a little bit... in bad taste to kill a man on his birthday?" Victor asks, holding his hands up in front of his face.

"Nah, you'll be fine," Benji says with a smirk.

"So is that your final verdict?" Andrew asks.

Benji and Mia nod with an air of finality; Victor huffs.

"And that means that the Civilians have won! Congrats. You guys can show your cards," Andrew announces.

"You were a pretty decent Detective, Benji," Victor says with a chuckle as he eyes the King in Benji's hand.

"And you were a surprisingly good Mafioso," Benji replies. "Who knew you would have gotten the art of subterfuge down pat."

"Well, you see, it comes from years of being in the closet and having to pretend everything's fine, so," Victor says, grin widening as he watches the way Benji's eyes sparkle.

They play a few more rounds of Mafia until the evening, when Isabel brings out the birthday cake bearing twenty lit candles. When Adrian returns from his room and tells him to make a wish, he can't stop his gaze from wandering to Benji's face as it seems to glow even in the dimness; he doesn't break eye contact even as he blows out the candles and the smoke billows through the air, wisps reaching and twirling around and when they part, the air now clear. Victor only sees Benji standing there, a lone beacon among the crowd.

Soon their guests begin to filter out, until only Victor's family and Benji remain. Victor glances at the table piled with gifts, spotting the little green bag on the side. He gently removes it, remembering what Benji said about it being fragile, and turns it around in his hand.

"Did you wanna open that now?" Benji asks, and Victor jumps, heart clamoring against his ribs loud enough for those around him to hear as he almost drops the bag.

"Shit, Benji, you scared me," Victor says, turning to face him. "But yeah, I've been thinking about what's in here all day," he adds with a small smile.

"Victor, Benji," Isabel says as she approaches. "Don't worry about all this, we can clean this up tomorrow. And you already helped so much, Benji," she punctuates this with a kiss on Benji's cheek.

"Are you sure? We can help and then get going back to campus," Victor suggests.

"Absolutely not! It's late, you two can just stay over and head back tomorrow morning," Isabel says.

"I mean… I don't mind borrowing your couch for the night. Or even just going down the road to my parents' place because they live really close…" Benji says, but Victor stops him.

"My bed is big enough for us to share," Victor insists.

Isabel pauses, eyes darting between them. "Well, you're both adults, so it's not like I can stop you… But Benji, you're always welcome here whenever you need."

"Thank you so much, Isabel," Benji says, face flushing; Victor's does the same.

"I guess we'll see you tomorrow morning," Victor says. "Goodnight, mami. Thanks for the party."

"Happy birthday, mijo," Isabel says. "I love you."

"Love you, too."

Victor sighs, taking Benji by the hand and leading him down the hall, the heavy bag dangling from his other hand. When they enter Victor's room, the air becomes electric, as if Victor could feel the blocks of ice striking each other within a cloud and creating lines of friction across the sky. He shuts the door behind them and sits down on his bed, shrugging off his blazer before patting the spot beside him for Benji to join him.

"I'm guessing you helped plan all this?" Victor asks as Benji sits down.

Benji flushes and he tucks some hair behind his ear as he nods. "Mhm. It was mostly your mom and me and Lake helped a bit, too," he says.

"That's so nice of you… I guess it's a little surprising, but thank you. I really appreciate it…"

"It's my pleasure."

"And it seems like you got to know my mom really well, which honestly freaked me out a little at first because I had planned to introduce you guys later. But I'm glad she likes you."

"God, don't even get me started, I was terrified of meeting her because I wanted to make a good impression."

Victor kisses Benji on the temple and smiles. "I understand. But still… I'm so grateful."

"Anyway, enough about that, let's get to this," Benji says, motioning at the gift urgently.

Placing the bag on his lap again, Victor raises his gaze to Benji as the other strokes his hair gently and watches him with a soft, concerned expression painted on his face. He presses his lips together before he rummages through the bag, setting aside sheets of tissue paper at each step.

"Read the card first," Benji whispers, reaching into the bag and withdrawing a white, sealed envelope and holding it out to Victor.

"Whoa, you got me a card," Victor remarks as he rips it open slowly so as to not tear it.

"Of course I did," Benji says with a chuckle.

With a gasp, Victor stares at the card, eyelids brimming and distorting his vision. The card has a little cartoon depicting several animals—bunnies, kittens, puppies, ducklings, hedgehogs—all sitting together in a basket. Victor drapes an arm across Benji's shoulder and pulls him close as he opens the card and reads the note that Benji had written.

"Dear Victor,

I know we haven't known each other for very long, but somehow, it feels like a lifetime. Everytime I see you, I learn something new about the world and myself, and it makes me remember that there's still so much more outside that we don't know about. You remind me of how vast the universe is, but most importantly, you remind me of how important it is to be kind to each other. And just how there are millions of stars in the sky, there are that many reasons and more that I can think of to tell you just how awesome you are. I can see this card is getting long but I just wanted to say thank you.

Love,

Benji

PS: I hope you like your gift, you don't really want a lot of things which is cool but also makes you impossible to shop for so I made you something.

PPS: IT'S FRAGILE PLEASE HANDLE IT WITH CARE (god what a mood)."

Chuckling morosely, Victor wipes his eyes in his wrist and sets the card aside; it's as if he'd been caught in a deluge at the bottom of the valley as rain pools around his body. "Thank you… that's really kind…" he says, pulling Benji into a watery kiss.

"But seriously, open the gift already because the anticipation is killing me," Benji says when they part.

"Okay, okay…" Victor sighs, rolling his eyes as he finally finishes digging the contents out of the bag, pulling out a heavy wrapped package. He sets it down in the middle of his bed and pulls himself closer to it so he doesn't drop it on the floor, then tears the newspaper away from it. Once the contents have finally shown themselves, Victor's eyes widen and he can't stop himself from beaming. "Wow… that's gorgeous… Thank you."

In his hands, Victor holds a smaller clay replica of himself in a black jacket and jeans, smiling down at a little white puppy in his lap.

"You remember that one time after we hooked up, we woke up the next morning and went for a walk and sat down in the grass and there was that guy walking his dog—"

"Yeah, and then it just like, jumped on my lap and started licking me," Victor finishes with a giggle.

"Mhm. I took a few pictures because it was so cute and I used them as reference for this," Benji explains.

"God… this is amazing," Victor breathes, admiring the sculpture for a moment longer before he sets it carefully on his nightstand. "That must have taken a while."

Benji shrugs. "It was worth it. I'm so glad you like it."

"Oh, I love it. Like, I know my mom is definitely gonna want this in the living room but I'm not gonna let her have it," Victor says fondly. "Thank you."

"Hold on…" Benji says, rising from his spot on the bed and stepping over to the nightstand; he turns the figure around before he returns to the bed, then cleans up the remnants of the wrapping from atop the sheets and sets them aside.

"Why did you…?"

"You still have one more present to unwrap and I get stage fright," Benji says, face flushed, voice low and husky, as he shoves Victor slowly back against his stack of pillows and climbs on top of him.

"How do you get stage fright if you're in a band?" Victor breathes, hands gripping Benji's thighs tightly.

"That's different because I still get to wear my clothes."

"Hmm… Fair," Victor says, as Benji guides Victor's hands to his own vest.

"I said you get to unwrap me, so… unwrap me already," Benji insists.

"Yeah, I know," Victor says, stroking Benji's cheek and feeling the way his own heart flutters in his chest like a fledgling taking flight for the first time. "I just wanna look at you for a second…" he says, before he unbuttons each of the buttons on Benji's vest and slides it off his shoulders. "This is a good outfit but there are too many layers."

"You just like me better when I'm naked."

"Maybe so… if it were up to me, I'd keep you like that 24/7."

Benji bites his lip, leaning down to kiss Victor again, this time, more insistent, mouth hot and begging even though they both have nowhere to be. Victor's fingers lace through Benji's hair and he peels the beret off his head, flinging it aside before limbs trail down to Benji's neck and he undoes the ribbon nestled in the collar of his shirt. But Victor doesn't even bother to unbutton the shirt all the way before he pulls it over Benji's head and tosses it carelessly, too, then flips them around so he's now sitting between Benji's legs.

Arms resting next to his head in surrender, Benji stares up at him for a moment with a smirk, canines glinting in blinding contrast against his flushed face.

"Come on, you said I was wearing too many clothes," he says, feigning innocence as he looks away.

Rolling his eyes, Victor slips his tongue into Benji's mouth to quiet him as he rubs himself against him, moaning. He squeezes Benji's ass firmly as they grind against each other for a moment until Victor removes Benji's pants and underwear in one go as his erection flops against his stomach; he's left bare and exposed, like a freshly-shed crab without an exoskeleton lying on the seafloor.

Sighing, Victor unbuttons his own shirt before undoing his pants and leaning down with his hands pressing into the pillows next to Benji's head, asteroids leaving craters behind in the earth. The way Benji's nails dig into the flesh of his back makes Victor high and he kisses Benji even more eagerly this time, as Benji flips their positions again so he's on top once more.

Benji takes his time, kissing down from Victor's mouth to his chin, then traverses the plain of his chest, the normally arid, dry surface slicked with sweat and the microscopic skin cells Benji undoubtedly leaves in the wake of his lips. Victor watches Benji as he breathes him in, as if the quickening of Victor's pulse is keeping him going. And with a sly look and crooked grin, Benji takes his cock into his mouth, wetting it with his own sweat, spit and tears as he relaxes his throat and massages Victor's balls in tandem.

Victor threads his fingers through Benji's hair and delights in the sight of his erection disappearing between Benji's lips as if he's savoring the flavor of Victor's essence, in the little gasps and moans filtering from Benji that seem to penetrate into Victor's very spirit, wringing it in a pair of imaginary hands to the point where he has to stop himself from crying another time. He watches as a lone tear slips from Benji's eyelid, a shining track across a pink field, and swipes his thumb across to clear it away; he wonders if it's the arousal that makes his chest ache just so.

But he can't stop himself from murmuring sweet nothings, telling Benji how good his mouth feels around his dick, how gorgeous he is, how much he wants to fuck him, and he has to stop himself from saying he wants to make sweet love to him even though it's true.

When Victor can barely take it anymore, Benji lets him fall from his jaw and he wipes his mouth in the back of his arm with a smirk, which softens as he looks down at Victor's face.

"I know this is gonna be hard for you but you need to let me handle things… you shouldn't have to work on your birthday," Benji says with a soft chuckle, voice hoarse. "And right now I need lube."

Victor grins, heart swelling and gaze averted; he searches around inside his nightstand, tossing a clear bottle to Benji, which he barely manages to catch. "Take your time. We don't need a repeat of a few weeks ago."

"Don't worry, I learned my lesson," Benji says, squirting a generous amount of lube on his own fingers and staring at it, mesmerized, for a moment.

Benji hums and reaches behind himself, leaning forward on Victor's chest and supporting his body on his arm as he fingers himself. Victor watches with rapt attention, his mouth suddenly losing all moisture as Benji's face contorts and he bites his lip, eyelids shutting tightly as he works himself open.

Stroking Benji's cheek, Victor brings their lips together again and he swallows Benji's pathetic little moans, before he trails his hands down Benji's neck to his shoulders and then finally to his nipples as he rolls and pinches them between his fingers and makes Benji kiss him back more feverishly, as if the sun is sitting between them, joining them together, and simultaneously threatening to collapse with each passing second.

After a few minutes, Benji shifts on top of Victor and settles himself over his cock before he slides down, engulfing him with a soft groan. Victor gasps into his mouth, the tightness of Benji's overheated body overwhelming him; his hands squeeze at Benji's ass before he gives him a few smacks, and Benji lifts himself up and slams himself back onto Victor's hard length, clenching his muscles around it over and over again and making Victor lightheaded.

Their moans grow louder as Benji fucks himself faster on Victor's cock, and the only way to stay quiet, to not get caught, is for them to stay connected at the mouth. But their attempts at keeping the sounds of their lovemaking under wraps proves futile when they hear a knock at the door, and they freeze just on the edge of release.

"Victor, mi amor, is everything okay?" Isabel asks from the other side of the door. "I heard noises."

Smacking a hand over Benji's mouth as his eyes roll back in his head, Victor can feel the adrenaline zooming through his veins, as if he only has a few moments before he gets a full-blown panic attack. He'd forgotten to lock the door.

"Y-yeah, mom, everything's fine. We're just… getting ready for bed," Victor grits out.

Benji grins against Victor's hand as he slides up and down on his dick once more, and Victor covers his own mouth just fast enough that no one can hear his yelp of pleasure. Victor glares at Benji before he flips them over as quietly as he can.

"Okay, you two. Just let me know if you need anything, all right? I'm going to bed," Isabel says.

"We know. Thanks. Goodnight," Victor says quickly, almost tripping over his own tongue.

He waits for the footsteps outside his door to recede before he grabs Benji by the throat, whispering in his ear and scolding him for almost getting them caught as Benji giggles and takes it.

When Victor finally plows him properly, gripping the back of one of Benji's thighs with one hand, and the headboard with another so it doesn't bang against the wall and get them a complaint from the neighbors, Benji almost screams as Victor cums inside him; he buries his teeth in Victor's shoulder as he clings to him, moaning and writhing against his skin, their flesh slick with sweat and sliding and sticking together all at once.

Victor doesn't even feel any pain because he's under the influence of too much adrenaline; but he still knows it'll be sore later, a reminder of the pleasure he'd managed to inflict on Benji that night.

They lay there in the afterglow in each other's arms as they regain their senses, faces almost pressed together, both too tired to move and too enamored with the sensation of their bodies molded against each other to get up.

"Happy birthday, Victor," Benji murmurs sleepily, as if speaking any louder would disturb the little sanctuary they'd created for just the two of them.

"This is definitely in my top… three birthdays ever, so thank you," Victor replies with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Only top three?"

"I'm kidding. This has been by far the best one I've ever had."

With a satisfied hum, Benji nestles himself even closer to Victor with a giggle.

Victor doesn't let Benji see it when he wipes the tears in the back of his hands before he nuzzles his face against Benji's soft hair for a moment; he kisses him one last time and then drifts off into unconsciousness. They fall asleep with the lights on, the electricity bill the farthest thing from their minds.

A few hours later, they awaken to the sounds of birds chirping outside; the light is off, but neither of them have moved. They reluctantly separate and rise from bed as Victor lends Benji a hoodie, which is slightly too loose on him everywhere except the shoulders, and a pair of sweats, which drag on the floor when he walks. He ties the band tightly around his waist before they slip into the bathroom to wash up before they make their way into the kitchen, where Isabel sits at the kitchen table, curled up over a magazine.

"Good morning, boys, I hope you two slept well," she says, not looking up from her reading material. "I thought I told you a hundred times not to waste electricity, Victor."

Victor raises an eyebrow at her, and Benji smacks himself in the forehead.

"What do you mean?" Victor asks.

"She saw us," Benji whispers into his ear, and Victor feels as if a wave of molten metal had just rained down on him.

"Oh god…" Victor mutters. "It won't happen again. Sorry, mami."

"And I hope you two were staying safe, I know you were having sex—"

"Mom!" Victor hisses, as Isabel closes her magazine and plops it on the table.

Benji makes a face and gestures vaguely; Victor nudges him with a smile.

"I'm not an idiot, you weren't very slick the way you threw all your clothes all over the floor. I know what being in the throes of passion looks like—"

"Okay, we get it," Victor says, clapping his hands over his ears and reddening, as Benji huddles over in laughter and leans against Victor's shoulder for support.

"You obviously used a lot of energy so I'll make you pancakes. I bought some nut milks that I've been wanting to try," Isabel says, excitement tinging her voice as she rises to prepare their meal.

Victor smacks himself in the forehead this time and Benji snorts as they sit down at the table.

"Mom… please never say 'nut milk' ever again," Victor groans.

"Why? That's what it is!" Isabel snaps.

"Oh, just let her have it," Benji mutters with a dry chuckle. "Gen Xers will never get it, there's no sense in arguing."

"Thank you, Benji. I like you. Finally someone who understands me and doesn't tell me I'm embarrassing," Isabel says as she gathers all her supplies to start cooking breakfast.

"I didn't say you were embarrassing, just that you sometimes say embarrassing things," Victor retorts.

"Are you sure you don't want any help, Isabel? We're both functional…" Benji says.

"Really, don't worry about it. I know you both do a lot already," Isabel insists with a wink, causing both Benji and Victor to redden instantly again.

Victor reaches across the table and takes Benji's hand in his own, blinking slowly, but feeling the jolt surge up his arm nonetheless before he's overtaken with warmth once more.

They continue chatting, hands joined the entire time even as Isabel puts plates full of fresh breakfast down in front of them. She glances at them but says nothing, but Benji and Victor unfurl their fingers regardless, feeling self-conscious all of a sudden.

Once they finish their food, Victor unwraps the rest of his presents and puts everything away. He and Benji then pack their things, Victor careful to re-wrap his present from Benji so it stays safe, and they return to Georgia State. With each passing moment, Victor feels himself become even more overwhelmed with the weight of his infatuation bearing down on him like a mountain, the sensation he can feel whenever he looks at Benji.

Victor doesn't know what comes over him when they arrive back on campus and get out of Benji's car. He certainly hadn't predicted that he would grab Benji by the arm, twirl him around, and pin him against his car as he kisses the life out of him, as if his heart would stop if they parted. It's just the brain chemicals talking, he knows that, but when Benji kisses him back, clutching at his jacket as if it were a pack of cigarettes, VIctor wonders if it's more than that.

When they pull away, all they can do is gaze at each other as the morning sun casts shadows on them. Victor doesn't want to go; but he has work to do.

Once they're outside, coming to the fork in the road where their paths diverge, hands swinging like a wild pendulum between them, leaden and cold, Victor kisses Benji's palm one last time before their flesh separates, and Victor wonders if amputation would hurt as much.