Work Text:
Wanderer likes Sethos' chest, and it's not really a secret. Not anymore, at least.
The secret phase had lasted approximately two weeks into their relationship before Sethos noticed a very specific pattern: no matter where they were or what they were doing, if they sat together for long enough, Wanderer would eventually end up with his head on his chest.
It happened every time without fail, and Sethos has stopped questioning it because he enjoys it too much.
Today, they're sprawled across a pile of cushions in Sethos' room with the afternoon sun filtering through the window.
Sethos is halfway through telling a story when he notices Wanderer has stopped responding, which is not unusual since sometimes Wanderer simply decides he's no longer interested in participating in conversations.
This time, however, Wanderer is way too quiet, so Sethos glances down and immediately understands why.
Wanderer is asleep.
His eyes are closed and his cheek is pressed into Sethos' chest. One of his arms is draped lazily across Sethos' stomach as if he refuses to let him move away.
He looks perfectly content curled against him.
Sethos smiles despite himself, finding him cute when he's clingy like this.
"You fell asleep on me."
A faint grumble comes from Wanderer.
"No."
"Heh, you absolutely did."
"I was listening."
"With your eyes closed?"
"Yes."
"Suuure, sure, sure."
Wanderer decides to ignore him. Instead, he shifts his body, rubbing his cheek against Sethos’ chest like a cat.
Then, somehow, he scoots even closer until there's no visible space between them.
Sethos never gets tired of watching it happen.
Every time Wanderer settles down next to him for a nap, he starts reasonably close. And then just a few minutes later, he's practically merged with Sethos.
It's adorable, but Sethos never says that out loud because he enjoys being alive.
He admires Wanderer’s relaxed face before wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
Wanderer melts immediately, his weight settling more fully into Sethos until he's comfortable.
Sethos' chest tightens painfully with affection. No matter how many times this happens, he never quite gets used to it.
The simple fact that Wanderer chooses him means everything.
That he trusts him enough to fall asleep against him. That he seeks out his warmth without hesitation, returning to him again and again whenever he wants comfort.
He never thought he'd become the source of someone’s comfort like this, but it's one of the best things he's ever experienced.
Wanderer lets out a quiet sigh, nestling deeper into Sethos.
Sethos laughs softly, pressing a gentle kiss on top of his head. Sometimes he suspects Wanderer would climb inside his ribcage and live there if given the opportunity, and he finds himself thinking that maybe he wouldn't mind.
He receives a sleepy noise in response followed by Wanderer burying his face further into his' chest as if he's trying to become one with him.
He reaches up and brushes a few strands of hair away from his forehead, his expression softening even more because Wanderer can act so sweet when his guard is down.
Wanderer sleepily nuzzles his head against his hand as if he's asking for more pets, and Sethos obeys without question since it's rare for his boyfriend to ask for affection so openly, even if it's unconsciously.
Sethos feels his heart melt, running his fingers through his boyfriend's soft strands, starting to feel sleepy himself until he feels something strange against his chest.
He pauses, blinking a few times in confusion.
There's a faint vibration brushing against him, and it's so subtle that he almost misses it, but it's there.
His brow furrows, waiting for a few seconds in case he's imagining things, but the vibration continues.
He looks down, noticing that Wanderer remains fast asleep, unaware of the world around him.
His face is still tucked against him, his hand is still clutching onto his shirt.
Nothing appears out of the ordinary except for the fact that Sethos is fairly certain his boyfriend is vibrating.
"... What?"
He stares, trying to process this information. He very carefully runs his fingers through Wanderer's hair again.
And the vibrations deepen immediately, spreading through Sethos' skin.
Sethos nearly stops functioning, his eyes widening.
No. He has to be imagining things, right? There's no way this is real.
He scratches gently behind Wanderer's ear, and the reaction is immediate. Wanderer practically melts further into him, the vibrations continuing to grow in intensity.
Sethos has to physically bite the inside of his cheek to stop a noise from escaping. Wanderer is purring like a cat.
He has to take a deep breath. If he laughs, he'll wake him up. And if Wanderer realizes his secret has been discovered, he'll probably run away and hide for a week.
But this is unbelievable. He has always joked that Wanderer acts like a cat sometimes, but he can't believe he's currently curled up on his chest and purring.
Not metaphorically. No.
Actually purring like he's a spoiled cat.
The realization fills Sethos with so much affection he almost doesn't know what to do with it.
"Oh, you're adorable," he whispers fondly while fighting the urge to pull Wanderer into a crushing hug.
Wanderer responds by pressing himself more firmly against him, which should not be physically possible, yet he still manages to do it.
His head ends up tucked directly beneath Sethos' chin with his entire body draped against him. The purring doesn't stop for a single second, the soft vibration continuing between them.
Sethos' chest aches with how much he loves the man sleeping on him.
He knows Wanderer would be mortified if he found out. He would deny everything and try to convince Sethos that he imagined the whole thing, but there's no way of denying that this is real.
He lowers his head and presses another kiss into Wanderer's hair, causing the purring to immediately grow stronger.
Sethos has to bite the inside of his cheek again, his hand flying to his mouth anyway to smother the sound threatening to escape.
"That's unfair."
Every time he thinks he's adjusted to the discovery, another soft vibration rolls through Wanderer's body, and he has to remember how to breathe as a wave of affection hits him hard.
His eyes are glued to Wanderer’s body, admiring the way he's somehow managed to steal nearly all of his personal space without waking up.
Not that Sethos minds.
If anything, he wishes he could pull him closer until they merge into one.
Wanderer shifts in his sleep, just enough for him to press his cheek more firmly against Sethos' chest, still purring contentedly against him.
Sethos nearly bites through his tongue to keep himself quiet.
This is dangerous information. The kind of information that permanently changes the way Sethos will look at him.
He should handle this information with responsibility. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Sethos can't be responsible when it comes to his boyfriend being this cute.
He runs his fingers through his hair again so he can feel more of that purring against him. He thinks his heart might beat out of his ribcage if this continues.
Sethos closes his eyes for a moment.
There was a time when Sethos couldn't imagine this version of Wanderer. He wouldn't have imagined that Wanderer would seek him out whenever he wanted comfort, invading his space without hesitation to fall asleep with his head on his chest as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
Yet now, if Sethos sits still for longer than ten minutes, Wanderer inevitably ends up here, cuddled against him.
Something warm blooms in his chest at the realization.
Slowly, he wraps both arms around him, enjoying the way the purring grows stronger.
"I’m never letting you forget," he whispers sweetly.
The threat is entirely empty because he already knows he'll take this secret to the grave if it means he can have more of this.
He could tease Wanderer about it, but this is something he wants to treasure forever.
A small, sleepy smile appears on Wanderer's face, and the sight nearly kills him.
Sethos lowers his head and presses kisses to Wanderer’s face, trying to be as careful as possible to avoid waking him up.
There are probably more productive ways to spend an afternoon, but Sethos can't think of anything better than to spend his day like this.
Not when he has Wanderer snuggled against his chest, purring softly in his sleep.
He settles back into the cushions and tightens his arms around Wanderer just slightly, making sure to tuck his head under his chin.
Judging by the purring, it's the right move.
Sethos closes his eyes and smiles, letting sleep take over him.
If Wanderer wants to stay here for the rest of the afternoon, then he'll stay, too.