"Pregnant?" Nines winced at the volume, and almost clapped his hand over Gavin's mouth, despite the fact they were alone. Hopefully, no one in the hall outside was paying them any mind. He rested his hands over his face with a groan. That was pretty much the worst thing that could have happened. Alright, the worst thing next to a terminal disease, phcking Christ! It wouldn't be a big thing if she was actually married to Elijah with a high level of certainty it was his. The problem was, she'd slept with Connor around the same time. On top of that, she wasn't married! She had no security!

"She is undecided on whether to tell Elijah or Connor at this point, but it seems she intends to keep it, whatever the case." Gavin wasn't sure whether that was good or bad. From his own experience, he could say he'd been pretty happy not knowing where he came from. He'd had about seventeen blissful years of ignorance before finding out. He was pretty sure the kid would be happy if it was adopted early and never found out. If it didn't get adopted, it would be a rough ride. Gavin knew he'd been lucky that his father had found out and took him on after his mother died. He assumed she was dead, anyway. No one had bothered to enlighten him beyond Elijah's mother calling her a whore.

"What do you think would be better?" That was a potentially loaded question. Nines wasn't sure whether he was asking from a sense of loyalty to his brother, or what would be best for Chloe and the child. Of course, Nines loved his brother and wanted to see him happy. He also liked Elijah and didn't wish to see his life torn apart. Gavin likely had similar feelings towards Connor. All three were good people, but they'd found themselves in a sticky situation through a mixture of neglect, love, and foolishness. Nines sighed from his place on the edge of the bed.

"I'm not sure…Both sides have merit. She's already engaged to Elijah, and he has the monetary funds to offer her stability. They have a strong relationship that's already lasted many years. The problems will come after the birth if the child doesn't share a resemblance." Gavin nodded along as he leaned back against the propped up pillows. "Connor loves her dearly, and I've no doubt he'd make a wonderful father and a loving husband. The issue is that, with the war, there's a high probability that Connor won't return to marry her before the birth, and it may not be his child. He can offer her security, of course, but there's no way of knowing how far this budding romance will take them." Gavin agreed with that, too. Elijah was his brother. Even before patching things up, he'd held a certain amount of loyalty to him. However, he liked Connor too. He wasn't a bad guy, just young, dumb, and in love. He could lay it all on Chloe, but he didn't blame her, either. She'd been horribly neglected over the past year. Most other women would have kicked Elijah to the curb months ago.

"Phck, I hate that you're right." It would be so fucking easy if there was clearly one person in this dynamic they could wholly blame, but there really wasn't. All of them were good and honest people, and all of them were in love, whichever way it split. It sucked that at least one of them had to get hurt in all this. "Whatever happens, I want to make sure Chloe's taken care of…" Whether that was before or after the birth, he didn't care. Phck it, I'll marry her myself if I have to! Nines smiled at his words.

"I knew that you would." He fully supported that. He hadn't known her as long as Gavin, but he liked her very much and would happily accept her as a sister-in-law, however it happened. Gavin seemed thoughtful as he toyed with the ring on his finger. Nines smiled as he reached across and took his hand. His chest swelled knowing that Gavin liked wearing it. He'd barely stopped fiddling with it since he'd put it on. Whenever he was bored or drifting in thought, he twisted and fingered it.

"We should go into town in a few days and buy some baby shit." Nines chuckled at Gavin's eagerness, though he knew he'd deny that he was anything close to eager. It was a nice idea, though they'd have to hide it away until Chloe decided what to do. They could hardly explain it away as being for them. The need for supplies wasn't immediate, however, it would be wise to get them in early. Should we buy so much here, though? How permanent is this residence? The war didn't look set to end just yet, but there were whispers. The British naval blockade was working. Enemy forces had started to flag in certain areas. Nines had no idea of Elijah's plans in the long run, though he knew Connor would likely return to their father's home for a time. "The phck are you looking at me like that for?" Gavin's brow creased in suspicion at the softness in his eyes.

"I was just thinking about going home after the war and looking for a place together." He enjoyed the way Gavin clammed up at the suggestion. It seemed the idea made him jittery, too. Young men living together wasn't unheard of. It was often cheaper that way, so they wouldn't need to answer any unwelcome questions. I suppose there may be a few if we find an apartment with only one bedroom…What a scandal that would be. Perhaps they should live near Sixty. Their scandals would be considered minor compared to his.

"I want a cat…" Nines blinked at the unexpected confession. "I always wanted a cat…" Nines almost melted at the uncertain, hopeful air Gavin was giving off. He was looking at him through long lashes, making his emerald eyes as large as possible. Nines couldn't resist him when he looked like that. He leaned in and sealed his lips, reaching up to cradle his cheek with his good hand. It wasn't what he'd expected, but Gavin was more than willing to go along with it.

"I love cats." Gavin beamed at the news. "What colour? I've heard gingers have the best temperaments." Nines couldn't suggest anything further as he was pulled down again. He grunted in alarm as he lost his balance, barely catching himself on his good arm. Gavin didn't even seem to notice as he kept a tight grip on his shoulders, keeping their lips locked. Nines huffed as he felt one of Gavin's hands move to slide down his back and up beneath his shirt. "I told you, you're not well enough for that yet!" Gavin almost pouted at the reminder.

"Oh, come on! I already said before about the benefit of sex and fevers!" Nines huffed fondly as he pressed a series of gentle kisses to his stubborn, needy lips.

"And I told you, that's a myth." Gavin seemed disappointed as he allowed him to draw back. Nines knew how he felt. They hadn't seen each other for over two months. There were few things he wanted to do more than ravish Gavin's willing body. He would have done so immediately if not for his fever. "However, I also recall that I agreed there was a benefit to orgasms in improving your temper and easing the pressure in your sinuses." Gavin perked up a little at that. Nines pulled his legs up and got to his knees, straddling Gavin's hips and leaning across. He was still propped up, so he didn't have to lean down too far.

"You know, I wouldn't have to do any of the work if you sat your pretty little ass on my-" He stopped as Nines clapped his hand over his mouth.

"It is so important for your continued existence that you do not finish that sentence." He felt Gavin huff a breath of amusement. You don't want to take it today. Alright, I get it. Nines was still giving him a judging scowl as he removed his hand. Gavin kept his mirthful smirk as he bit his lip and jerked his hips up. Nines almost rolled his eyes as he felt the bulge prodding him through the sheets. Since he was still feverish, Gavin felt the occasional shiver, even in the summer heat. I'm certainly getting chills right now…He whined as Nines rocked down, deliberately grinding his bulge. "If you're not careful, I'll leave you like this and make you finish yourself." That was cruel.

"Alright, I'm sorry…I'll be good." Gavin reached up and crossed his heart, his expression softening somewhat. Nines seemed placated as he returned his attention to his mouth. He hummed softly as he continued the teasing grind between kisses, enjoying the way Gavin's cheeks started to flush a healthier shade of pink. A hum slipped out as Gavin's hands come to rest on his hips. He squeezed as he dropped, rolling up to meet him. "Phck, I could watch you like this every day…" Nines huffed softly as he climbed off long enough for Gavin to help kick the duvet aside.

"You missed me, I see." The tent in his cotton bottoms was obvious. It didn't even seem like they'd put him in underwear. He paused as Gavin's hand squeezed his arm, his expression suddenly serious.

"Every phcking day…" Nines climbed on and sealed his lips before he could even think of opening his mouth again. Their breaths were heavy as Nines' tongue licked across his lips. Gavin opened needily, flicking out his tongue to tangle with him. They barely parted for breath. Nines used Gavin's shoulder for support as he rolled his hips, thoroughly rubbing himself up and down the hardened shaft. "Oh, phck!" It was an almost blissful sound as Nines' hand reached into his pants and pulled him free. Nines sat his weight back to keep balance as he teased Gavin's cock. He was very conscious of the fact that he only had one arm. He didn't want to risk falling and hurting Gavin.

Gavin gripped his clothed hips and whined as he watched him palming and stroking his throbbing cock. It twitched and jerked in his hand, eager for his touch. Gavin whined a request as he reached up to tug at the buttons of Nines' shirt. He allowed it, enjoying the air on his skin as the material finally parted. Gavin shoved it off his shoulders, but couldn't remove it from his bound arm. He let the shirt hang loose as he greedily stroked and teased his pecs. Nines arched his spine, enjoying the little buzzes of pleasure from Gavin's teasing pinches.

"Yours too!" Gavin was breathless as he trailed a hand down to Nines' belt, letting little pleas and whines fall free as he loosened his trousers and searched his waistline. Nines bit his lip as Gavin pulled him free. He shuddered and closed his eyes. He hadn't been touched by another person since he'd left, and his own self-care regime had been put on the back burner with all the emergencies in recent weeks. A moan fled his lips as Gavin caressed and pumped with teasing strokes. "Phck, Nines-Nines! Phck!" With his current poor health, the whines were actually quite breathy and quiet, but Nines wasn't about to complain. He never tired of hearing his name on Gavin's lips. He swore his cock twitched each time.

"Fuck it, Gavin!" Nines took over, reaching up to pry his own shaft from Gavin's eager grip and rubbing it against his twitching cock. Gavin shuddered at the contact, resting one hand on Nines' hip while reaching down to help him with the other. Nines' lips softened as Gavin's hand caressed his own, giving them more skin to rut against. "Fuck! Good, Gavin…" Gavin tightened his hand around them, and Nines did the same. Nines bit his lip, sighing as he rolled his hips. The movement sent pleasure coiling through his stomach, tightening his pelvis. He smiled as he felt Gavin's free hand stroking up his side and down his back. The slide of flesh felt good, but he was pretty sure it could be better.

Gavin moaned quietly as Nines moved his hand to the tip of his shaft and teased the glans, smearing the drops pooling at the tip across his palm before moving to gather Gavin's as well. He enjoyed the view as Gavin squirmed and rocked into his touch, green eyes pleading for more. He forgot how good it felt to see Gavin like this. To have him like this. He leaned down and sealed his lips again, returning his hand to their cocks. He moaned as Gavin's hand join his, guiding them together to rub and caress. Their kiss was interrupted as Nines drew back. Gavin's free hand cupped his rounded cheek to pull him closer.

"Phck, I missed you…I missed you so much…" Nines softened at his sincerity, taking his time as he returned to his mouth. Their tongues entwined slowly as their hands stroked. Nines moaned softly as the hand on his hide urged him forward, adding friction. He drew back, taking in a shuddering breath and arching his spine, pressing into Gavin's grip and leaning back before allowing him to pull him forward. It was easier to lean back with his left hand out of action, and it helped that Gavin was supporting him.

"Gavin! Fuck, I love you…" Gavin's hand squeezed his ass tighter at the confession. Nines moaned, rocking into their joined hands and enjoying the slickened slide as his cock rubbed Gavin's. Tingles shot up his spine as pleasure churned in the pit of his stomach like a wave about to crash. Gavin let out a small mewl as he slipped a finger between their tips, teasing Nines' glans. Nines shuddered, stroking higher to tease the tip of Gavin's cock. He rocked faster, pumping and teasing his fingers to add a new layer of sensation. "Are you close?" Gavin nodded, panting as he matched Nines' pace.

"N-Nines!" Nines smirked as he felt Gavin's cock twitch and throb. His own wasn't much better. With a few final rocks, Gavin was finished. He mewled and writhed as he came, both their eyes widening as he spurted upwards, painting Nines' face. Nines shuddered at the warm sticky feeling on his cheek that soon trickled down and dripped on his chest. Gavin took over, greedily gripping Nines' shaft and pumping until he finally spilled. Gavin blocked the ejaculate with his hand, saving his face from a second helping. "Shit, I'm sorry." Despite saying so, Gavin couldn't help the snort of laughter that escaped. "Here, let me…" He looked around as he sat up, quickly settling on grabbing a handful of duvet.

"Let's not dirty the covers." Nines climbed off, cursing quietly at the white smears on his pants. Better my pants than my face or sling…He was lucky Gavin had caught his face and not his splint. He was loath to remove it. It would be worse explaining to Elijah why he'd removed it. Gavin followed, using the wall for support as he hopped along. He pulled Nines to a halt as they stepped through the doorway, using him for balance and pulling him down to attack his lips. "You'll get come on your face!" Gavin paid no mind to the objection as he pulled him down again. Nines sighed into the kiss, savouring the salt on his tongue.

"Phck, you're so hot!" Nines huffed, shoving Gavin's face in reproach. Of course, he thought he looked hot with his release all over his face. Nines felt filthy. He shrugged out of his shirt as Gavin hopped away, fully intending to scrub his face and chest clean. Gavin turned the bath on, slowly filling the room with steam as Nines dropped his messed up trousers. "You want to join me in the tub?" Nines shook his head as he grabbed a small towel and ran it under the tap.

"I don't want to get my splint wet, but I'll keep you company." He enjoyed the view as Gavin stripped off. He even bent over and jiggled his bare ass as he noticed him watching. Nines smirked fondly as Gavin carefully climbed in and sat back in the water. It probably felt good getting clean after a few days of languishing in bed. I just wish I could bathe him as usual…He missed being able to lavish him with attention using both hands. Lathering his hair. Scrubbing his skin. Caressing his muscles. "I think you're definitely right about the orgasm thing…I feel a lot better." Nines snorted and rolled his eyes. Of course you do.