[SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots (18+)

[skinstealer]

Chessboard - 2022
Ringor Mortis + B. Comorant, Punch Clock Animal/Universal Constants
CW: Mentions of sexual abuse/CSA, suggestive content
A conversation takes a turn, and Maes makes a discovery about their partner.
Commissioned by @AceOfNothing!

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MAES: ....
 

Maes laying down in bed with their audio player, having told Charon they were going to do some audiobook time, usually means a calm evening....

But today, they just have a grimace.

Across the room, Charon tinkers away at the workbench in the corner. Though he generally tries to not interrupt, each look over fills him with increasing amounts of concern..

It’s a few more minutes before Maes finally lets out a sigh, taking out their earbuds and rolling onto their stomach, face in their pillow.

CHARON: ...Boss?
MAES: This book is stupid.
MAES: Fiction is stupid.
CHARON: That bad?
MAES: I read online that this is a good book to start with if you're looking to break into romance novels- and I figured "oh, maybe this will give me some ideas of things to do with Charon! I could use some research!"
MAES: -not knowing that I would be a fool for it and that of course, a book like this is written with a very specific kind of experience in mind, that I do not fall into.
 

Charon stands up from his desk, walking over.

CHARON: Continue.
MAES: It's just-
 

They roll back over, their voice no longer as muffled.

MAES: If I have to read another book about how the concept of virginity is "sacred", I'm going to break something.
CHARON: Never really understood that mindset, at least not in the way people usually frame it.
CHARON: A bad first time can set a strong impression but.. the idea that it has to be truly special or you've wasted it.. can't get behind it.
 

They nod, squeezing their eyes shut and massaging their temple.

MAES: It's...
MAES: It's highly unpleasant seeing this narrative when you've had a rough time of it.
MAES: Granted, the way I deal with it best is considering my first "real" time sleeping with someone being our first encounter with that...
MAES: But when I come face to face with this sort of mentality, it's so painfully obvious that I don't fit into the usual box.
MAES: Hell, I haven't even brought it up properly to you.
CHARON: Mm... it's honestly a setup for disappointment if you ask me.
 

He tries sitting down on the bed next to them.

CHARON: It's the same school of thought as first dates, first crushes... you don't tend to think about those a decade later in most cases.
 

They reach for his hand, their partner taking it..

MAES: Meanwhile, I get to get smacked with it and have it potentially ruin my day.
MAES: Even if I did somehow have a good time of it, some kind of situation outside of the underground lab, my situation is so atypical that I don't think I'd have had any way to talk about it.
MAES: It's...isolating, to have that kind of experience...
CHARON: You can talk about it with me.
MAES: ...I know.
MAES: I feel like I talk about this kind of thing too much, though, even if not that specific incident...
MAES: It's like I don't give you enough space to share.
CHARON: Don't think I'm the most exciting when it comes to this topic.
MAES: It doesn't have to be "exciting", it's you.
MAES: ...you don't have to share, obviously, just...
MAES: ...you have the option.
MAES: That's important to me.
CHARON: I can do that.. what would you want to hear about, then?
CHARON: Give me a good starting point.
MAES: Anything you'd want to talk about.
 

They extend an arm for him to cuddle up with.

He scoots in without hesitation.

CHARON: Mm... considering the topic at hand, I can admit my own experiences have been far from typical too.
MAES: In what way?
CHARON: Didn't really have any of the expected romantic experiences until I got my license to travel as a knight.
CHARON: Many of them were tied to flings, dating wasn't much of an option considering the nature of the work.
CHARON: Besides that, there were a few supernatural encounters here and there that may have had a few firsts come out of them?
 

They take a moment to take that in.

MAES: ...supernatural?
CHARON: Mmm…
MAES: Were they...safe?
 

Their expression is clearly concerned.

CHARON: ...Yes?
CHARON: Certainly wouldn't benefit from harming me.
MAES: Sorry for assuming, just-
MAES: I know you've had some rough times with that.
CHARON: It's an occupational hazard... less so here but in the past but... in these cases, I was generally safe.
MAES: Well...I'm up for hearing about them.
CHARON: If you're certain.
MAES: I am.
MAES: I...want to be more involved in that part of your life.
CHARON: Mm... have I introduced you to my proxy yet?
CHARON: It's helped out a few times during rough shifts but I don't know if you ever even noticed it... or how familiar you are with the concept for that matter.
MAES: Not yet, no...
MAES: I've done some reading here and there, but the concept admittedly goes over my head.
CHARON: They're a reflection of self to varying degrees, manifested in a more physical nature.
CHARON: Mine has a big of a complex situation going on admittedly…
MAES: And...this ties into your experiences with this?
CHARON: ....Mmm.
MAES: I may need some more elaboration.
CHARON: ...It was my first time kissing with tongue, for starters.
CHARON: Prompted one day, had me surprised...
MAES: With your proxy.
CHARON: Mm..
MAES: I did read that they could physically manifest, but-
MAES: I didn't know they could do that much.
MAES: Hm.
 

They don't sound offput, more...curious.

CHARON: It was just very affectionate that day.
CHARON: It was nice though, certainly understood me...
MAES: ...does it...have feelings about our relationship?
MAES: Is that a thing?
CHARON: I mean.. it's certainly curious about you.
CHARON: That's given.
MAES: Define curious.
CHARON: Would like to know you as well, perhaps shares some of my feelings.
MAES: ...is it a separate person?
CHARON: ...Complicated to answer.
MAES: I figured as much, but-
MAES: I don't...know if I'd be ready for a...second...paaaartner?
 

They’re clearly trying to phrase things carefully.

MAES: If it's its own person, I'd want to respect it as such- and I've never even met it.
CHARON: It's... comparable to a subconscious existing at the same time physically?
CHARON: But perhaps a bit more so?
CHARON: But our emotions are linked....
MAES: Ah!
MAES: Ah, okay, that's-
 

They seem to be visibly processing that.

MAES: Comparable to multiplicity experiences, then?
MAES: I've worked with a few clients like that.
CHARON: Yes.. albeit the proxy has more... direct forms of multiplicity?
MAES: I didn't realize that magic could do that, though I suppose it...makes...sense?
CHARON: Mm…
MAES: ...sorry if this-
MAES: I'm fine with this, really, just-
MAES: This is a lot of new- and really important- information, and I want to make sure I don't screw up.
CHARON: You're doing fine.
MAES: ...does it have a name?
CHARON: Collectively?
CHARON: Rook.
CHARON: Individually... work in progress.
MAES: And...it shares your emotions.
MAES: Including those towards me?
CHARON: To varying degrees, yes.
MAES: Going to need more elaboration on that as well.
CHARON: What we share, we share to various degrees.
CHARON: Sometimes equally strong, sometimes one more intensive than the others.
MAES: So-
MAES: Do any of them feel..."intensive" towards me?
CHARON: A couple for certain.
CHARON: All of them at the very least value you and your company.
MAES: Do they experience the same things as you, then?
MAES: So-
 

They can't help but blush.

MAES: ...I was not aware we had an audience.
CHARON: You don't sound upset by that.
MAES: Not as much as I probably expected to be.
CHARON: Would you... perhaps like to meet them?
MAES: Yes, I think so.
MAES: If they'd like to.
CHARON: In that case-
 

The proxy materializes, flopping onto the bed with that confirmation.

MAES: ...Charon? Did-
MAES: Is this Rook?
CHARON: Mmmhmm..
 

The proxy moves in, aiming to touch noses.

Maes does their best not to startle them.

MAES: H-hello.
 

It makes a light noise in response, unintelligible as any sort of words- but clearly replying.

Maes stays very still, clearly unsure how to react to this situation.

MAES: It's...good to meet you.
CHARON: Think it'd like to hug you.
CHARON: Would you be okay with that?
MAES: We can try that.
 

They pause before opening up their arms.The proxy snuggles up, familiar in feeling…but perhaps a bit more high energy than Charon.

MAES: Oh, you're- you're wiggly, hah…
 

They aren't sure where to put their hands at first, resting one on its back, and the other on its neck.

CHARON: You don't have to be shy.
MAES: Getting used to the fact that it feels like you...
CHARON: In a way it is me, sometimes.
MAES: Is it you right now?
CHARON: To some degree?
CHARON: Complicated.
CHARON: It can act on its own but there's plenty of back and forth going on internally.
CHARON: A difficult feeling to explain…
MAES: It's alright...we can figure it out over time...
MAES: ...but...hmmm…
 

The proxy tests the waters by lightly pressing its face against their cheek.

Maes returns it, surprised at how natural it feels.

MAES: It really is affectionate…
CHARON: This one especially is, yes…
MAES: No name, you said?
MAES: How do you differentiate it?
CHARON: Appearance, they're all distinct.
MAES: And this one?
CHARON: What do you mean?
MAES: What does it resemble?
CHARON: ...Ghost dog?
MAES: Hmm…

They dare to give it another little nuzzle, initiating it this time.

It returns it, pressing its face up to theirs. It’s dangerously close to a kiss at this point, the karacel's breath hitching.

The proxy tries pressing its mouth to theirs- just a little- despite having its face covered.

Maes dares to kiss back just as lightly, as if testing the waters.

Rook starts lifting its mask, as if offering.

MAES: Is...this okay with you, Charon?
CHARON: You're more than allowed.
MAES: Let's try, then…
 

They go for it- the proxy returns it in kind, starting the kiss with a bit of tongue.

MAES: Mmm...
 

Maes gives it a try in turn, taking it all in- only pausing to give it a pat on the head. It seems to soften its approach, going for a very gentle nuzzle of the shoulder in response.

The pat turns into a careful petting, Maes making a soft hum.

Rook kicks things up a notch, the whole experience not too far off in feeling from their usual partner.

They cup the sides of the proxy's face, intensifying the kiss on their own end before carefully pulling away.

CHARON: Boss?
MAES: That's...it's hard to explain.
CHARON: ...Are you okay after that?
MAES: Yes, just-
 

Their face is covered in blush.

MAES: Need to breathe for a moment.
MAES: I'm guessing this is the one that kissed you?
CHARON: How can you tell?
MAES: It...definitely went for tongue.
CHARON: It's really an extension of what we have I suppose.
MAES: Is it weird for you to see it happen?
CHARON: I can feel it a bit, actually…
MAES: I suppose I'll have to get used to two bodies in the same bed with me at night…
CHARON: Doesn't always need to be out, but we'd appreciate it if you didn't mind it roaming around from time to time.
MAES: As long as I'm given some heads up, we can try it.
CHARON: Mm... I'll try to ask it not to bump into you too much.
CHARON: Might be hard to tell where it is since it... floats.
MAES: ...ah.
MAES: I'm...definitely going to need to adjust to that.
CHARON: Mm.
CHARON: Completely silent while moving around, jumpscares me even now.
 

Maes turns to the proxy again.

MAES: Is there any way you could make yourself known a little more when you're out?
 

There’s a tiny squeak.

CHARON: Yeah, that's probably a good call…
MAES: Thank you for understanding, Rook…
 

They give it another pat on the head. It goes for a tiny "kiss" on their nose again in turn.

Maes lets out a soft purr at that, nuzzling up to it.

MAES: ...thank you, for talking to me about this sort of thing, Charon.
MAES: I know it started with a rough topic, but...I learned a lot about you- and Rook.
CHARON: We do our best.
MAES: I know you do.
MAES: ...and thank you for trusting me.
CHARON: You've trusted me just as much.
MAES: And I'll continue to do so...with all of you.