hello to my fellow Lifeweaver x Baptiste shippers! I couldn't help myself XD
I guess since this is a spin-off to Love in Bloom (present day), the timeline for this story is set a little bit further into the future. nothing complicated, I promise.
anywho, I know the last story was spice-free, I'm happy to say you won't be disappointed this time around~
also, I'll mention that I actually try to research the languages and phrasing as best I can, so let me know if I made any errors!
you should be able to copy and paste the phrases into Google and check them out (if you care enough lol) it won't impact your reading experience if you don't.
**Bap speaks French and Haitian Creole in this
feel free to leave questions/comments/constructive criticism! I am still learning!
Perfidy, Ardor & Salvation
To make amends?
Exhausted wasn't even the word. Niran wiped the sweat from his brow with a sigh, continuing his work on his… well, he lost count of how many patients he'd seen within those two weeks. All he knew was, Mother Nature could be cruel and unpredictable.
He was currently offering free medical services in Haiti with Baptiste and had been doing good work there for a while until disaster struck. It had only been about a week and a half since a hurricane passed over the land, destroying many homes and nearly as many lives.
He'd been working almost night and day since, tending to the wounded and helping rebuild damaged neighborhoods, and what sucked the most about it all was that he'd been separated from Bap! When they realized how many people needed their help, they decided it was best for them to split up and station themselves in different cities to expand the radius of their work. It was tough, but it wasn't as if they were alone; they had the help of the local doctors and nurses, but even still. Only so much could be done.
The injuries he treated varied from minor to life-threatening, and the damage done to the structures around them ranged from easy-to-fix to extremely costly, so it was safe to say he was at his limit. He was proud of his work, though. He'd managed to save every single person that came into his care.
With that being said, he wrapped up his current task in desperate need of a break. He stood and stretched, letting the other doctor know he'd return in about an hour or so before stepping outside into the humid air. It was hot, he was sticky, and he wanted nothing more than to take a nice bath and spend the next several days in Bap's arms—who he hadn't seen since the disaster. He missed him dearly. 'Perhaps I should give him a call.'
But it may have been an unwise decision to check his phone after seeing a message from one of the last people in the world he thought he'd hear from. His mood instantly soured, opening the text with a scoff. What was she doing reaching out to him? After so long? This wasn't exactly how he planned to take his break, but it was unavoidable, he supposed.
Ducking off to a nice, shaded area he found a few days ago, Niran leaned against a tree trunk and dialed the number that wasn't even saved in his phone. Why was he even calling her back? What would this accomplish? A pit formed in his stomach when a woman's voice answered, speaking in Thai.
He really should have just called Bap.
"I didn't think you'd actually call."
Niran rolled his eyes, responding in English. "I didn't think I would either, but here we are."
"It's been almost ten years and you've still got that hate in your heart, I see."
"Nin, why did you reach out?" Niran asked with a sigh.
"I can't call my dear brother every once in a while?"
That was crap and they both knew it.
"Hmph, your silence speaks volumes."
"Just tell me what you want, or I'm hanging up." Niran pushed himself away from the tree. "You've interrupted very important work."
"I'm sure." Nin cleared her throat. "Well, I'll just say it. Mom and Dad want you to come home."
Niran furrowed his brow. "Um… I'm not sure what you mean by that."
"What does it sound like? They want to make amends and apologize for how they've treated you."
"I find that hard to believe." If that were the case, why didn't they reach out to him themselves? Besides, he had a lot of work left to do in Haiti. He couldn't just leave these people! "Tell them sorry, I can't come. Maybe some other time."
"Don't be like that, N̂xng chāy," his sister said, a twinge of annoyance in her tone. "You've obviously been away from home far too long given you won't even speak to me in your native language."
Ah, he hadn't even noticed. "So? It's not like I can go back there freely with the bounty I have on my head."
"That's why I'm trying to tell you," Nin said. "Mom and Dad want to make things right."
"All of a sudden?"
"Niran, think about it. Look, I don't need an answer right this minute, so just rest on it. I'll be waiting for your response."
With that, his older sister hung up, leaving Niran in a somewhat stunned state. This was the last thing he expected would happen! And as if he knew just when to reach out, Bap called him. "I was just about to call you!"
"I was going to say," Baptiste chuckled, his voice radiated deeply into his ear. "You picked up quickly. How are you, cher?"
"Oh, I just miss you so much," Niran pouted, squatting in front of a puddle and staring at his reflection. "And on top of that, I'm completely exhausted. But I'm more worried about you, and how you're handling things."
"I might be just as tired as you, Bua," Bap yawned through the phone. "But the work is worth it."
"I agree…" There was a small pause, Niran figuring out how to convince him to meet up with him and rest together. These were his people; he was sure he'd feel obligated to stay as long as he could. "What do you say we… hmm, call it an early day and meet up. I rest better when I'm next to you."
"I can't say that's a bad idea," Baptiste agreed. "Name the time and place."
"I wasn't expecting you to concede so easily," Niran couldn't keep the smile off his face. "Would you hate me if I said I wanted to see you now?"
"Would you hate me if I said I was already on my way to you?"
"Wh-? How?" Niran looked around as if Baptiste would appear out of nowhere.
"If you didn't suggest it, I would have. I'm just so tired, cher, you have no idea."
"Yeah," still grinning, Niran stood, kicking his foot around bashfully. "We've been working nonstop for almost two weeks."
"Before that, we were still working pretty hard."
"I'm so sorry about your clinic, thī̀rạk," Niran pouted. He genuinely felt awful. The whole reason they were in Haiti was so that they could fulfill Bap's dream of opening a clinic. They'd gotten quite a bit into their plans, even starting construction, when fate had other ideas.
"Ah, don't worry about it," all Baptiste could do was stay positive. "When we start over, we'll build it bigger and better."
"Have I told you how much I love your confidence?" Niran could go on and on about the things he loved about Bap.
"All the time," Baptiste replied with a laugh as he looked at the palm trees that whizzed past the window of his cab. Once his cab ride to his beloved was complete, he'd take him somewhere comfortable and show him just how confident he was feeling.
Baptiste took great pride in what he was able to do for his people, especially in times like these. So, when Niran told him he wanted to help open that clinic he'd been thinking about for a few years, he was over the moon. Of course, he had to explain to him what that meant in terms of their living situation. In the beginning, they wouldn't be living lavishly. It would take a lot of patience and effort to achieve their goal. But once they did, it would pay off in the end.
At least, that's how it was supposed to be.
Baptiste wanted to build his clinic in the area he grew up in since it was a poorer area that didn't have as much access to high-quality care and medicine. He wanted to give back to his community and let them know they deserved to be treated with the same care and kindness as people with more. Even though his plans—their plans got pushed back, that's all it was. A setback.
And he'd keep his word about coming back bigger and better because he knew with time, things improved.
But for now, he'd pushed himself to his limit and was in desperate need of rest and relaxation. He already left the clinic where he was currently stationed and was headed to the city Niran was in, wondering why he let them separate in the first place.
Ever since his dashing lotus asked him on a date that fateful day, they'd been inseparable ever since. They'd go around, play-fighting with friends and offering their medical services wherever the wind blew them, and it was a fulfilling lifestyle, truly. With every person he helped, he felt even just an ounce of that guilt he carried being lifted from his shoulders, and that was enough.
He didn't care how many times his plans got torn down, as long as he got to build them back up with Niran.
Speaking of his lotus, he sounded a little sad. Bap knew him long enough and well enough to know when something was on his mind, and the tone of his voice gave it away.
"But I'm only this confident because of you, Bua. It rubs off on me." Baptiste continued, hearing the wind blow on the other end of the phone. "You outside? It's so humid."
"Yes, but at the moment, it's better than being worked to death!"
"We'll rest, cher, don't worry," Baptiste reassured him. "I'm taking us somewhere nice, so we'll get that much-needed sleep soon."
"I can't wait," Niran said with a dreamy sigh.
"So, sit tight," Bap grinned, imagining how frizzy that silky white hair must be. "I'll see you soon."
"It's so nice to get to be with you like this again," Niran sat as close as he could to him in the backseat of their cab, leaning against a sturdy shoulder. "Let's never part again!"
Try as he might, he couldn't hide the sad aura he was emanating. Bap just wanted to wait until he got him comfortable to ask about it. "I agree, mon amour. With time, everything will fall into place."
Niran wasn't so sure about that. Not with that call he'd made earlier. He was just so unsettled and would probably even be restless that night because of it! For now, he wanted to keep it and his mixed emotions under wraps so he didn't worry Bap.
Because what in their right minds made his parents think he'd trust them?
What unsettled him was the fact that he was such a family man, and deep down, he wanted to make amends with them. He wanted them to understand the importance of his work and how much it meant to him… but what if they finally did?
Nin hardly reached out when they were on good terms, so for her to be the one to reach out this time around was the freakiest of all.
At any rate, he had a lot to think about. She texted him after she hung up, telling him to respond with an answer whenever he could, so there wasn't any pressure to make a decision immediately. What should he do? Was this something he should talk to Bap about?
His thoughts were cut short when they arrived at their destination, a much nicer abode than the cheap hotel he was staying at. He got out of the car and looked around; the hurricane must have missed this area. He was so caught up in whatever was going on in his city that he didn't stop to think that it could be okay somewhere else.
"It's nice to know there's land untouched from the storm," he said, mostly to himself as he followed Bap inside and to their room.
"I wanted to get us away from it all, you know?" Baptiste wasted no time taking his lovely Niran into his arms, relishing in the sweet embrace he'd missed. Combing fingers through soft white hair, he caressed his face, kissing him sweetly.
Niran leaned into his touch, putty in his hands. He always knew just what to do to make him feel at ease. He blushed when a heavy hand fell to his butt, giving it a squeeze. "Dàalíng," dainty hands rested on Bap's chest. "Let's take a long bath."
"Tell me, amour," Baptiste was soon in warm water with his lotus sitting between his legs, gently massaging shampoo into frosty hair. They had this little routine every time they bathed together, and he just loved the way his caramel skin contrasted against the water. Even more the way it looked against his own dark skin. "What's on your mind?"
Ah. Niran should have known he couldn't keep anything from Bap. He sunk deeper into the water, letting muscled arms consume him and unorganized thoughts distract him. "How'd you know?"
"You give me far less credit than I deserve," Bap replied with a deep rumble.
"Well…" Niran fiddled with his fingers under the water, unsure of how he should even start. "I guess I'll say you know me much too well."
"It's because I know you so well that I can take good care of you," Baptiste kissed a tanned shoulder, smoothing his hands along his midsection comfortingly.
"I can't argue with that." What could he say? He loved being pampered, and Bap was the best at it!
"So, tell me what's wrong, cher. I noticed you sounded a little down when I called earlier." It wasn't often Niran was bothered by something, given his carefree spirit, so the protective nature in Baptiste wanted to find whatever was bothering his sunshine and put a stop to it.
"Funny, I even tried to keep it to myself, yet you still managed to see right through me." Niran exhaled, holding onto the arms around him. "Nin reached out to me today."
"Nin? Your sister?" Baptiste asked incredulously. If there was one thing he knew about his significant other, it was the bad terms he was on with his family. And to be quite honest, he didn't too much care for them. How could anyone treat their own flesh and blood the way they've treated Niran? And to still blossom into the beautiful lotus he'd become while dealing with the hardships he dealt with? It only made Bap want to give him all the love and care he never got.
"Believe me, it was just as shocking to me, too," Niran said, letting him rinse the suds from his back. "I was on my way out to give you a call when I saw a text from her."
"I'm sorry, Bua. I hope she didn't ruin your day too much." And even if she did, he'd make it all better anyway.
"My day could never be ruined when I'm with you," Niran shot up from the water, suddenly feeling antsy.
"Whoa, whoa, cher," Bap reached up, taking his hand. "You're obviously not in a good headspace, I mean, look at you. Can't even enjoy a bath with your man."
"Ugh, I know! I'm sorry, thī̀rạk," Niran stepped out of the tub and wrapped a towel around his waist. "I'm just a little worked up, I suppose. She wanted me to call her so she could tell me Mom and Dad want to see me."
Immediately concerned, Baptiste thought there was nothing good that could mean, but it wasn't his place to keep him from visiting his family if that's what he wanted to do. Deciding to follow him out of the tub, he stood up and dried himself off. "I honestly don't even know what to say to that."
"Neither did I." Niran stood in front of Bap and rested his forehead on his shoulder. "I just don't know what to do."
Baptiste took his face in his hands, staring into those deep brown eyes. "Let's talk it out, hm? You always think things over with a little more clarity after we talk about it."
"Okay," Niran offered a small, somewhat sad smile, unknowing of the outcome of their talk. "I really don't know what I'd do without you."
"Come." Baptiste tossed his towel to the side and led him to their room, watching him drop his towel and use one of his abilities to dry his hair.
"Windborne," Niran said to himself, a small gust of wind blowing his hair dry. He spotted Bap out of the corner of his eye, just watching him like he always did. He smirked, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You always look at me like you've seen something new."
"You're just so lovely," Baptiste couldn't help it. Everything about Niran was perfect. And the fact that he could use his abilities to do more than just heal was amazing. He reached into his bag and pulled out his favorite lotion, waving it in the air.
Niran lit up, stretching out on his stomach, hands tucked under a soft blue pillow. Bap's massages were legendary, and he always got a good night's sleep after one. "I guess you sensed I needed one. Thank you, dàalíng," he said, muffled by the sheets. "I'll be sure to make it up to you."
"No need to thank me, cher," Baptiste took in the sight of long, tanned legs, a toned butt, and a nicely defined back, all tied together with milky white hair and smooth skin. He had to keep it together just a little while longer. Willing the blood to stay in his brain, he crawled up the mattress and straddled his legs, humming quietly as he applied some lotion to his hands and rubbed them together. "This is a given."
Niran couldn't stop the huge sigh of relief that escaped him when Bap's large hands connected to his back and began working their magic. He worked out knots he didn't even know he had! "Amazing, per usual," he crooned. "It's like I have no worries in the world."
"How it should be," Bap did what he did best, leaving none of him untouched.
"You're too nice," Niran knew the inevitable topic of his family was coming up, so he figured he'd just get into it while he was distracted enough. "But if I'm honest… I truly don't know what to think."
Man, this must have been heavy to talk about seeing how his shoulders tensed up quite a bit. He focused his attention on the new tension while he waited for him to continue.
"I was stepping out to take a break, and I said to myself that I should check on you," Niran was now in a dreamy state, being lulled to rest by his ministrations. He was such a good listener. "As I went to give you a call, I saw a text from Nin telling me to call her. I wish I'd called you instead."
"Everything happens for a reason." Although, Bap was very wary of the reasoning behind his sister's words. "And she said they wanted you to come home?"
"She said they wanted to make amends… whatever that means." Niran closed his eyes, letting strong hands caress him. "It's been so long since I've seen them, so I guess it makes sense."
Hmm… Baptiste wasn't so sure it was the truth. His hands faltered, slowing to a stop. "And what are your thoughts? Do you want to go back and 'make amends'?"
Oh, why did he stop? It was getting good! Niran shrugged, satisfied when he heard the lid to the lotion bottle being opened and closed. "I can't lie and say I don't think about them, but it's not as if I can just go to Thailand freely."
"Do you think they truly want to make things right?" Bap asked, now working out the kinks in his lower back. So badly, he wanted to tell him not to fall for it, that they were tricking him, but it wasn't his place to say things like that. It was his family, for one, and secondly, how would Niran take it if he started calling them liars?
It was something he thought about, but they couldn't be that terrible, right? "I would like to think that they miss me. But what I really want to know…" Niran paused, glancing behind him. "What do you think?"
"Bua, you don't want to know what I think."
"I wouldn't have asked you if I didn't," Niran knew Bap could be brutally honest sometimes, and now was one of the times he needed it. He knew he always had his best interests at heart and he probably didn't want to overstep, but in all reality, he wasn't. His thoughts and opinions were very valid and held with utmost importance, which was why he always turned to him.
"Well…" Bap leaned down, kissing a shoulder blade sweetly and speaking against soft skin. "I think you should be careful of their true intentions."
"Hmm…" Niran took his words into consideration, as they had some truth to them. His parents weren't the most trustworthy when it came to his safety, so the concern was understandable.
"However," Baptiste let his lips trail along his spine, trying to soften the blow of his words. "I know you still care about them, so if you decide to visit them, I support you."
"But that's the thing," Niran huffed, frustrated with his indecisiveness. "I'm not sure what I want to do. I need your guidance!"
"That's what I'm here for, cher." Baptiste was a little surprised that he didn't take any offense to what he said. Sometimes, he could be a little sensitive when it came to his family, so he had to make sure to tread lightly. By now, he'd finished his massage and was just rubbing his hands all over his back, mind on autopilot. "Let's run through the pros and cons, then."
"If I go back, I'll have to be discreet about my travels," Niran already had the list of cons in his head, he just needed to hear the pros from Bap. "I'll have to deal with the judgmental comments from my parents, not to mention relive every 'mistake' I've made since I've been gone."
He'd also have to deal with their deceptive promises to 'make amends', but Baptiste would just keep that part to himself. He was certain they only wanted to try to convince him to cooperate like they'd been doing, in which case, he'd swoop in and take him away from that toxicity.
What, you thought he'd let Niran go off to Thailand by himself?
Casting the negativity aside, he'd never been to Thailand, and he figured it would be a nice break from their current hectic lives if he did decide to go. Niran talked about the land so much, he desperately wanted to see it for himself. "I'll be right by your side to help you stay grounded."
"You'd come with me?" Niran knew it was a silly question, but he was always one to like reassurance. "I couldn't put you through that."
"You wouldn't be putting me through anything, cher. It's actually on the list of pros. We could take our time getting there, and maybe you could even show me some of that land you rave about…" he trailed off with a chuckle. "You know, in the isolated part."
"The isolated parts of the world usually have the most fertile lands, so that won't be an issue," Niran smiled, suddenly homesick. Not for his family… well, a very small part, but mostly for the familiarity, the food, the people… and even though he was so comfortable with English, he missed the language, too.
"We could think of it as a small vacation," Bap offered. "A little getaway from all the work over here. And the moment it becomes tough for you, if it becomes tough, we can leave."
"You make it sound so good," Niran laughed quietly. There was nothing easy about being around his family, as judgmental as they were! But… he didn't care what they thought of him! "I guess it'd be nice to introduce you as the most important person in my life."
"They wouldn't mind?" Bap asked with a raised brow. There in Haiti, same-sex relationships weren't as accepted as they were in other countries, so he always had the worry in the back of his head.
"It's not like they have a choice," Niran grinned. "And it's not like I actually hide it from anyone. It'd be weirder if I didn't have anyone by my side."
Bap wanted to use this opportunity to poke fun at him. "Oh, so you were always taken, huh?"
"Dàalíng, you know I'm irresistible. I've even been proposed to!" They were mostly proposals from old rich men who wanted someone pretty on their arm, but he'd keep that to himself.
"Goodness," Baptiste went down to pepper his skin with kisses again. "I'm glad you found me special enough to ask me out."
"Ever since I joined Overwatch, you've been the one on my mind," Niran said shamelessly.
"You flatter me, Bua," Bap scooted off the bed, standing at the end of it. "Want me to rub down the front of you?"
Niran wanted his hands all over him. He flipped onto his back, hands behind his head as he drank in the sight of his ebony knight in all his nude glory. All of it was immaculate, from that chiseled, handsome face down to those strong legs of his. He really hit the jackpot. He cracked a sly smile as Bap stalked toward him with hunger in his eyes.
When his lovely lotus rolled over onto his back, he just about drooled at the view. Elegant and poised, he lay there invitingly, and his legs began to move on their own, taking him back to the bed and crawling up the mattress.
With eyes locked on one another's, calloused hands slid slowly up a slim body until they held either side of his face. By now, the task of giving him a massage had flown out the window; he was too far gone, drunk on the beauty beneath him. "Superbe," he muttered, leaning in and connecting his lips to Niran's.
Yes, this is what he'd been missing. The delicious weight of a warm body pressed against him, kissing him so tenderly, showering him with the most love and affection he'd ever received. Needy, he wrapped his arms around him, humming when he felt a hardness against his own.
"You missed me, huh?" Bap smirked between breaths. He noticed an eager Niran grinding his hips and he groaned, it'd been a week too long. He was deprived, and any stimulation would likely send him over the edge. But he really couldn't help himself, letting his hand hold them both in a firm grip, pumping slowly.
Niran gasped at the sudden contact, now holding his shoulders as he worked his magic. Goosebumps graced his skin when Bap nuzzled his neck, whispering sweet nothings in his ear in the language of love. "Oh, dàalíng," he said breathlessly, pushing his hips against him for more of that incredible friction. "I'm close."
"Go ahead," Baptiste too was close, hard and pulsing in his hand, it was such an erotic feeling that he couldn't get enough of. "It won't be the only one tonight."
As if he said the magic words, Niran jolted in pleasure, ropes of milky white landing on his torso and chest, Bap following immediately after. Draping long arms around his neck, he pulled him down for more kisses with a happy hum.
"Don't tell me you're satisfied with just that," Baptiste grinned, wandering fingers finding a soft hole. It was warm and damp and he barely needed any prepping. He bit his lip, his need growing rapidly. "Damn, you're already ready for me, cher."
"I've been ready," Niran moaned softly, Bap was only using his fingers and he was quickly hitting his sweet spot, unraveling at the seams. Arching into him, he called out his name in a plea while he teased him. "Please~ thī̀rạk," he begged, clenching his thighs around a thick waist. "Don't tease me."
"It's just," Bap probed, grazing that spot and driving his lotus crazy. "You make the cutest sounds when I do."
Before Niran could respond, Bap retracted his fingers and was upright on his knees, nudging his girth against him. He was incredibly sexy the way he towered over him, thick and hung. And he always got him where he needed to be. He dragged fingers down a chest speckled with curly dark hair. "You're so handsome, khū̀cı."
Baptiste pushed open caramel legs, feeling up every bit of his lovely lotus he could reach. "You love me like this," he leaned back down for a kiss.
"I do," Niran quickly lost his breath, or rather, Baptiste stole it as he invaded his most private space with a thrust.
"Mon dieu, Bua," Bap grunted, bringing their bodies together and hooking onto his shoulders. "You feel so good, mmm."
"Oh, Bap~" Niran whined, nails digging into a broad back. Goodness, he knew just how to treat his body at any given moment. With his slow strokes, his deep, accented voice, the way he took up residence in his entire world when he held him. He wanted more. "Deeper…"
"So demanding," Bap chuckled, nibbling on his ear and giving him what he wanted. He pushed deeper, unsure of how long he would last this round. He felt Niran throbbing against his stomach and he knew he was feeling it too. "Ou se lanmou nan lavi mwen."
Those words, of course, would send him over the edge. Niran shivered, clasping him tightly and making another mess on his chest.
"That's it, Bua," Baptiste worked it out of him, sucking spots onto his skin and keeping a steady pace. He could read his body like a book. "Let it all out."
Niran reached up and gripped the sheets above his head while Bap devoured him, large Caribbean arms around his small body. With every thrust of his hips, he felt that tension being released bit by bit like he so desperately needed.
"You like that? Want more?" Bap spoke into his ear just how he liked it and grinned when he nodded enthusiastically. How adorable. He kissed him lightly before pulling out and rolling him onto his side, fitting his body against him perfectly. Before his lotus could protest, he found home inside of him again, feeling him up all over.
Heavens, the way Bap handled him, so firm yet gentle. He had an arm tucked under him and a hand at the base of his neck, the other stroking his lower half. He moaned as his innermost parts were invaded, he was no longer in control of his body, succumbed to his lover.
Baptiste had him right where he wanted him; his mind and body were completely his. He thrust harder, grunting out his name in jagged breaths. He was close. "Niran… Bua…" he mumbled into soft hair. He smelled so, so good. Like flowers. He kissed his neck and down to his shoulder. "Where do you want it, mon amour?"
As if Niran could formulate a response while he had him like this! He didn't care where, he knew it was only the first of many and he was looking forward to being in his arms all night.
Bap couldn't hold it much longer, and judging how hard Niran was, he was right there with him. He throbbed in his hand, imminent release in just one or two more pumps. And in just a few more strokes, he reached his apex in the depths of his divine lotus with a grunt. "Mwen adore ou," he hummed into warm skin.
Bliss.