UNSCARRED

☣︎ Call me Phil, Philip, or simply Anselmo, choice is yours.

☣︎ Send me ANYTHING horror related. Big horror fanatic, especially about those classic horror films without color.

☣︎ You can also send me some slow heavy metal, or even softer music; I’m into that too.

☣︎ Boxing is also fun. Big boxing fanatic. Will take opinions and recommendations with open arms.

☣︎ What I will NOT take is shit talking about my brothers in my bands. You spit any hot shit about them because you think you’re hot shit, I promise that’ll be the last time you’re on here.

☣︎ Ask me things and see what bullshit I spew out. Can’t promise you’ll like the response, though.

~ Mod notes ♱

PLACE IN TIME: 1992-94; recording/releasing FBD, also working on demos w Down

responses/posts in character will be in white and bold as seen above, as mod messages will be italicized, white and in normal font, beginning with a tilde ( ~ ), and/or signed off with LH (“locally hated”, mods motto)

nsfw or related content is fine w me to an extent, just nothing disgusting or literally illegal please

headcannons for this Phil blog is that he’s a closeted bisexual, living with so much damn undiagnosed pain in his back and raging guilt for his feelings, so he tries to cover it all up as much as possible by sleeping around, drinking and smoking (me too bro dw)

ships?? yes?? any?? honestly the most common ship I’ve seen w Phil is x Dimebag, but if yall know anymore please lmk (I’m not a big Dime x Phil fan but am a Pepper Keenan x Phil fan, 🙏 them please…)(WRITING ABT PHIL AND PEPPER RN YAYAYYAYAY)

interactions w other blogs/rps is greatly accepted and maybe even recommended as this rp blog is just for fun and not directed for any specific rps, but I’m open to anything tbh

SOME THINGS TO NOTE:

when Phil is drunk, he’ll tend to reblog posts consisting of the same things, whether it be of photos or music or any same media and topic. when Phil is high, he’ll yap and yap about whatever he may yap about. when his emotions get the best of him (whether that be pain, anxiety, or lust), he may find a post that relates to his feelings, maybe not. he’s unpredictable. just be weary. THIS IS DONE IN CHARACTER AND IN MY INTERPRETATIONS OF HIM AS A CHARACTER.

Phil almost wanted to fall asleep in Pepper’s embrace, enveloped in his warm arms and surrounded by the warm water around their bodies. Phil was sat between Pepper’s legs with his back against his chest, his fingers loosely tangled with his and his head resting against his shoulder, allowing him enough space to turn his face and bury it into the side of Pepper’s neck. Pepper held him against his chest as he gently scrubbed their bodies, cleaning their skin of all sweat and other fluids from their first sexual experience with one another. Phil hummed deeply against Pepper’s skin as he dragged the wet and soapy washcloth up his bare torso, his lips curled into a warm and content grin and his voice low and hoarse as he mumbled.

“You nearly put me to sleep in there, y’know that?”

Pepper had his head gently resting against Phil’s while he listened to them, letting out a quiet chuckle as he recalled the way Phil was a mess just a few moments ago. He pressed a soft kiss to Phil’s temple before nuzzling against his shoulder, taking in his natural scent mixing with the clean smell of body soap and the warm water as he spoke.

“I know it. Hell, you nearly knocked me out on the spot. Guess we know now for next time, huh?”

Phil laughed softly at Pepper’s response, humming and nodding in response to his question. Next time sounded amazing to him, maybe not right at this moment, though. Phil wanted to melt against Pepper's chest so bad, to just merge their bodies together and absorb all of Pepper’s touches and warmth for himself, but something on his mind refrained him from doing so. A large question on his mind worried him.

“You don’t think, uh… the guys’ll say anythin’?”

“I don’t see any reason as to why they would,” Pepper responded in a soft tone, taking a moment to scrub Phil’s legs and to think before he spoke again, his gaze following how his hand gently ran over his lover’s skin with Phil leaning into his chest, his head leaned back against his shoulder. “There’s no need for them to know if you don’t want them to…”

The guys didn’t have to know. Their relationship doesn’t have to be public, and they can keep it all to themselves. But Phil still worried if the others would sense anything different about him, as they were already aware of his heavy drinking. He had cut back on the drinking quite a bit, except the other night at their last show in the city. Sure, he’d drank more than he could’ve ever handled, but Pepper was the first to step up and take care of him. Pepper was always the first to make sure he was okay before asking anything.

Phil sighed softly through his nostrils and nodded, his hands finding Pepper’s on his chest and gently holding them there beneath his palms, pressing a soft kiss to the side of Pepper's neck before he spoke in a warm voice, a faint smile of comfort tugging on his lips.

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Maybe I’m just overthinking it all, ‘specially with how they already look at me.”

Pepper hummed softly at the brush of Phil’s lips against his skin, each kiss making his heart swell in his chest with how much he truly loved Phil.“Don’t worry about it, hon. I’ve always made sure they kept to their own business, and that won’t change a bit when it comes to you.”

Last night almost seemed like a dream to both Phil and Pepper, unable to believe that they melted against each other so easily just from a few kisses. Phil and Pepper were both known for their talents and attitude on stage to all their fans, whether that be in their individual bands or in Down, and were hardly ever seen as anything else except tough and brash among the public. Of course, they were humble with their fans when addressing crowds or meeting fans, but never as soft as they were this morning.

Pepper was laid on his back over the firm cushions of the couch, his head turned to the side enough to lightly rest his cheek on top of Phil’s head and his arms wrapped firmly around his waist under his unbuttoned flannel. Phil had his face buried into the crook of the other man’s neck, his own arms wrapped firmly around his waist to cling to him as his hands had loosened their grip on Pepper’s shirt, but were flat against the firm muscle of his back through the fabric. The bright morning sun blared through the screen door enough to wake Phil up, who slowly stirred and grumbled sleepily beneath his breath. He turned his face up to find Pepper still asleep beneath him, causing a warm and fond smile to tug on his lips. He leaned up to press a gentle kiss under Pepper’s chin before carefully unwrapping himself from the man’s arms, crawling off the couch as quietly as possible. He attempted to stretch as he walked into the kitchen, but he was reminded of the hot knife that stabbed his lower spine. A slight since crossed his features at the feeling, although he felt that it wasn’t as bad as it used to be since he was slowly growing used to it. He glanced back at Pepper’s sleeping figure, contemplating what he could do to soothe it without looking like a fool in front of the one person he’d hate to break his trust with, especially after the talk they had the other night.

On the car ride home after their show, although he was slightly inebriated himself, Pepper was quick to grab Phil’s attention through his drunken haze on the way he was behaving with his alcohol dependence. Pepper was well aware of how much pain Phil had to live in, even if he couldn’t imagine how bad it truly was. Regardless, Pepper was more than glad to help Phil through the pain by lending him a shoulder to lean on when he needed it, giving him space when asked, and being at his side when he needed him most. With a looser tongue, Pepper expressed to Phil that he’d prefer to see him drunk and having a fun time rather than looking miserable and sad when under the influence. That shook something in Phil, and made him realize that he was starting to fail the best thing in his life. He needed to change.

He decided he’d probably just shower after breakfast. That would definitely help. He glanced up at the clock on the wall to see it was way earlier than he thought, the time being nearly 7:30 in the morning. He noticed that the house didn’t smell like coffee compared to yesterday morning, assuming Pepper fell asleep before he could set the coffee machine. He’d take care of him and wake him with a hot cup of fresh coffee in return for how warmly he treated him yesterday in his hungover state. Phil walked into the kitchen to fill the coffee machine with water, filling it enough for about four cups total. As he reached up into the cabinets in search of the coffee grounds, a pair of warm arms wrapped around his bare waist beneath the fabric of his open flannel, a stubbly chin resting on his shoulder as Pepper’s face buried into the crook of his neck with a low grumble. Seems like someone missed him.

“Well, good mornin’ to you,” Phil chuckled softly, finally pulling down the container of coffee grounds and shutting the cabinet. Pepper grumbled softly in response against his skin, pressing a soft and lazy kiss to the side of his neck as his arms tightened slightly around his waist. Phil placed an arm over one of Pepper’s, gently brushing his thumb over the back of his hand as he poured scoops of coffee grounds into the coffee filter in the machine, attempting to focus on setting coffee to make instead of melting back against the other’s chest.

“Y’were kissin’ me an awful lot last night,” Pepper spoke softly against Phil’s neck, his lips curling into a faint grin as he recalled the way his lips felt against his skin, the way their lips felt against one another’s.

“Couldn’t get you to wake up any other way,” Phil hummed and shrugged in response casually, reaching to grab two mugs from the dish drainer beside the sink before he was pulled back into Pepper’s chest, who groaned quietly against Phil’s neck as he pressed himself firmly against Phil’s back.

Phil opened his mouth to playfully protest; that was, until he felt Pepper’s hips press flush against his backside. He wanted to assume that whatever was rubbing against him was Pepper’s belt buckle from his jeans, but at the same time, he hoped it wasn’t. Peppers lips began leaving a slow, lazy trail of kisses along Phil’s neck, his voice deep and strained from lack of use and the early hour as his hands slid down to grip Phil’s hips, pulling them back against himself to lightly grind into him.

Phil grunted softly at the sudden friction, his hands finding purchase of the edges of the countertop as he tipped his head down, closing his eyes in an attempt to collect himself despite the feelings that were beginning to resurface from last night, the feelings he thought he either slept off or forgot about. His voice came out a low, raspy whisper, almost like a plea as his hips twitched in Pepper’s grip.

“Damn, Pep- Didn’t think you were so easy…”

“Thanks to those stupidly soft lips of yours, hon,” Pepper breathed in response, his fingers toying with the waistband of Phil’s shorts before moving around to the front, brushing his fingers up his bare torso beneath his flannel to push the fabric off his shoulders, allowing his lips to explore the skin there. Phil couldn’t bite back the shaky gasp at the light brush of Pepper’s fingers and lips against his skin, having to rely on the counter before him to keep him from crumbling beneath the touch. He buried his face into his folded arms on the flat surface, attempting to quiet the soft shudders and small whines that slipped from his lips. Phil had never felt like this in any sexual encounter he’s had; he was always the one having to give, getting barely anything or even nothing in return. For him to be worshipped and touched like this was almost something new for him, and he was soaking up every bit of it he could.

Pepper’s hands slid back down to Phil’s shorts, beginning to slowly unbutton them before he paused, brushing his lips up the side of Phil’s neck so he could ask in such a soft, almost sincere voice that nearly contrasted his actions:

“Do you… really want this? I’ve never done something like this, and I don’t want to… push past any of your boundaries.”

Phil shuddered at that, not just because of the way his warm breath fanned over his skin, but because of how he cared. In response, Phil rolled his hips back against Pepper, causing his breath to hitch in his throat before he tried to clear his throat of its sudden dryness, responding in a soft voice that was nearly a whisper, something vulnerable and new.

“Don’t ask me stupid ass questions, Pep. Just… Let’s figure this out right here. And now.”

Phil didn’t mean to sound so demanding or rude, but he was pushed way past the point of need now. The bulge beneath his shorts strained against the fabric so tightly he was almost afraid he’d come undone from the smallest touch, and Pepper was quick to notice that. Although he was taken back a bit by Phil’s words, he completely understood his need as it matched his own. One of Pepper’s hands firmly held Phil’s hips against his own as the other continued undoing his shorts, slipping his hand beneath the opened fabric to firmly cup his hardening cock through the fabric of his boxers, just enough to pull a groan of pleasure and slight frustration out of Phil. Pepper pressed his face against Phil’s shoulder as he began rubbing his palm against Phil, his hips grinding into his ass to try and relieve some of the pressure in his own pants, his voice breathy and deep against Phil’s skin.

“Fuck, Phil… Y’sure you want this here? Not even on the couch or somewhere more comforta-“

“Damnit, Pep, I can’t- You have no idea h-how long I’ve been needin’ this- fuck-“

The sound of desperation and impatience in Phil’s voice sent a pang of something Pepper couldn’t quite decipher in his chest, something between desire and a stronger sense of attraction to Phil, whatever that may be. Pepper huffed softly, reluctantly withdrawing his hand from Phil’s shorts to grab his hips again, almost gently guiding him to lean against the countertop more comfortably as he helped him out of his shorts and boxers, letting them pool at his ankles. He stood upright behind Phil now, his hips still pressed firmly against Phil’s ass as he began to work himself out of his jeans and boxers together, pulling out his leather wallet from his back pocket and tossing it onto the counter next to Phil’s body.

“Alright, alright.. Just- try to relax a bit, yeah? Y’know I wouldn’t wanna hurt ya…” Pepper sighed shakily, almost as if he was nervous of what was about to happen. He reached over to grab his wallet, pulling out a pre-lubricated condom hidden in one of the card slots. Phil peered up from where he hid his face in his arms, unable to stop himself from breathing out a shaky chuckle as he peered over his shoulder at Pepper, both of their faces flushed and both slightly breathless despite barely doing anything.

“You just carry one of those around, man?,” Phil asked jokingly in a hushed, shaky voice, his eyes dark and pupils blown as he looked at Pepper, who laughed breathlessly and rolled his eyes at Phil, giving his bare hip a light smack, gaining a huff of a gasp in return.

“Shut up, you. No, not usually. Kirk gave it to me just randomly; said he didn’t need it since he was married.”

Phil rolled his eyes at the story, able to believe it, knowing how the band's other guitar player was with his gag gifts and jokes. The small moment of humor seemed to ease both of their nerves just a bit, Phil burying his face back into his arms with a shaky sigh as he tried to relax with soft, deep breaths, feeling completely safe and vulnerable in Pepper’s hands, the sound of the condom being ripped open sending a shiver up his spine.

As Pepper physically prepped himself, he couldn’t stop how his heart wanted to pound out of his chest, excitement and slight nervousness coursing through his veins. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Phil, especially after the tender moment they shared last night, and especially now that he was so exposed to him. But he knew Phil trusted him, and he knew Phil wanted this just as bad, if not more. Pepper gripped Phil’s hips again, gripping the soft flesh firmly and lightly massaging his hips as he leaned over his body, gently kissing along Phil’s neck and shoulders to soothe both Phil and himself.

With a shaky sigh, Pepper slowly pressed into Phil, just barely inserting the tip as the pressure of Phil’s body slowly began to ease around him. Both Pepper and Phil gasped at the brand new sensation, Phil’s hands gripping at his sleeves tightly as he pressed his lips into a thin line to bite back the whine that wanted to escape his throat, his eyes clenching shut in both a mixture of slight discomfort mixed with a growing pleasure. Pepper pressed his face against Phil’s shoulder, sucking in a shaky inhale through his teeth as he tried to go as slow as he could, his fingers digging into Phil’s hips as his tightness was already enough to drive him crazy.

“M-Mmf- F-Fuckin’ h-hell-“ Phil gasped softly into his sleeve, his teeth tugging on the fabric in a desperate attempt to keep himself grounded and not get too swept up in the sensations flooding through his body, all a mixture of pleasure, pain, need, and love. He’d rather be like this with Pepper than anybody else, and he’d only want to be like this with him a million times over if he could.

“J-Just- damn- just breathe… r-relax-“ Pepper tried to soothe Phil in his low, shaky drawl, his lips parted with gasps and quiet grunts against Phil’s shoulder as he gave Phil a moment to adjust to the primary entrance, as well as himself. They both breathed heavily as they each adjusted to the feeling, the air around them thick and hot, maybe more than the air outside in the peak of a hot afternoon in Louisiana.

Phil was the first to break the silence, his voice low and hoarse as he spoke into his arm, the sound a bit muffled by the fabric of his sleeves and the soft whines and pants escaping him, his hips lightly rolling back against Pepper.

“C’mon, baby, please.. W-We ain’t got all day…”

Pepper nodded softly in response against Phil’s shoulder, forcing himself to stand upright and look down at Phil from behind, his eyes trailing down the length of his body as it lightly trembled, his torso expanding with every shaky breath he took in. The sight fed into the fire burning in Pepper’s core, his hips working into a slow yet mutually pleasurable pace against Phil as he groaned softly, his grip on Phil’s hips tightening as he resisted the urge to just pull him back and fill him entirely, yet he knew they both had to work their way to grow accustomed to the feeling. Shaky gasps and small moans dripped from Phil’s lips, filling the steamy air in the kitchen as it smelled of their sweat and sex, feeding into their desires.

“Yeah, there you go… Y-You’re doin’ good, hon- So damn good… Just breathe…” Pepper encouraged in a breathless voice, keeping his hands glued to Phil’s hips as he began rocking into him in slow, long strides, slowly working more of his hard cock into Phil. Phil groaned a bit louder in response to being filled more, his eyes threatening to roll into the back of his head at the overwhelming pleasure that began to overtake the pain, turning to press the side of his head against his arms as his hot breaths nearly suffocated him. Pepper could feel the familiar coil of heat growing in his lower stomach already, the tightness of Phil’s body around him overwhelming him in pleasure.

Phil was seeing stars with how good he felt; being filled by Pepper with long, slow strides fed the fire in his belly, making him worry that he might cum faster than he’d want to. He wanted to relish in the moment forever, wanted to feel Pepper for as long as he could. He knew he was gonna feel Pepper for quite a while after this, but he certainly wasn’t gonna complain about it. Pepper leaned his chest against Phil’s bare back as his flannel slid down his body, hanging off his arms and exposing his muscular upper back, shoulders, and arms. Pepper pressed light, open-mouthed kisses along the back of his shoulders, moaning and grunting softly against the skin as he felt his pleasure slowly growing into a climax.

Phil could feel Pepper’s and his own climax approaching, even with the slow strides of his hips and Phil’s own hand working his hard cock. The brush of Pepper’s lips against his skin fed into the fire in his belly, pulling more soft moans from his lips as he desperately tried to get Pepper’s name out, only managing to do so between choked whines and shaky gasps. Just before either of them could warn it, their climax found them faster than they could control it, with Phil cumming into his hand and Pepper filling his condom inside Phil. They both trembled against each other with shaky, heaving breaths, Pepper’s grip on Phil’s hips never faltering as Phil felt like he could collapse, his legs shaking from the aftershocks of pleasure as his body was slumped against the counter.

After what seemed like a moment frozen in time, they both quietly and breathlessly chuckled, still pressed against one another as Pepper pressed a soft kiss to Phil’s neck, who moaned softly at the feeling against his hot, buzzing skin. Pepper wrapped his arms firmly around Phil, brushing his palms along his slick, bare torso, slowly pulling out with a groan alongside Phil, already missing the sensation of being full. They stayed like that for another long moment, gathering their bearings and coming down from the high of their climax as much as possible before Phil mumbled against his arm softly, his lips curled into a pleased yet exhausted grin.

“Damnit, Pepper… Maybe we should’ve moved to the couch or a bed.”

Pepper took a second to take in Phil’s words before chuckling softly against his shoulder, Phil chuckling with him as they relished in each other's warmth and scent. Slowly pulling himself away from Phil, he slid off his condom carefully and quickly threw it away in the trash can under the sink, making a mental note to himself to take the trash out later. He went back to showering Phil’s shoulders and back in warm kisses as he spoke softly, reaching down to help pull both their bottoms up between kisses.

“I think we should, uh, get cleaned up. Wouldn’t wanna walk around a mess the rest of the day.”

Phil mumbled and nodded softly in response, seemingly too worn out to pick his own head up as his head was still slightly spinning from what they just experienced together. He felt all warm and fuzzy, not just from his orgasm, but from the love that Pepper showered him in.

The clock on the wall above the opening wall to the kitchen read as 9:34 PM, the house illuminated by the dim warm light of the overhead stove light in the kitchen, the buzzing streetlights on the street outside their house as cars passed by with their bright lights on to see clearer, and the living room a light blue from the ending screen of the VHS film that had been playing before. The stillness of the house was especially apparent by the sleeping bodies of Phil and Pepper, still in each other’s embrace on the couch like it was nothing. They had been sleeping for the past few hours, barely having moved except the few times Phil or Pepper may have barely shifted to get comfortable against the other. Their light snores and sleepy mumbles were the only other sounds to fill the air, not bothered by the world around them as they were in their own worlds.

It seemed Phil was beginning to stir from his sleep as his arms tightened around Pepper, burying his face further into his neck to try and grasp onto the last bits of sleep he could. Unable to do so, he grumbled under his breath, feeling way more refreshed and rested than he did after his earlier nap. He carefully pushed himself up with his hands on the couch cushions, his arms on either side of Pepper’s waist. The weight of the other man’s arm around his waist surprised him, not remembering it being there before he fell asleep. Although the contact was new, it sent a feeling through him, something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

He was careful to not move around too much as he glanced up at the clock, although he did want Pepper to be awake alongside him so he wasn’t so lonely at such a late hour. Biting his lip softly in contemplation, he decided he’d try and wake his friend gently, knowing very well that Pepper was a bit of a light sleeper. Phil began by whispering his name, barely patting his ribs with his palm. Nothing. He began loosely squeezing his biceps, also as an excuse to feel them under his hands, but also to try and wake him. Nothing. Maybe Pepper was a heavier sleeper than he initially thought. Phil sighed softly though his nose as he looked up at Pepper from his place on his chest, admiring the relaxed expression on his face and appreciating the weight of his arm around his waist. His eyes then began trailing down, slowing down as they trailed down the smooth expanse of skin along the side of his neck. The sight reminded him of something. He remembered how earlier, when watching that horror film, Pepper’s skin faintly prickled when Phil’s breath barely fanned over his neck when he rested his chin atop his shoulder. That gave Phil an idea, although it was one he was almost terrified to do.

He began shifting carefully again, propping himself up on his hands on either side of Pepper and his knees, his legs still being intertwined with the others. He almost felt wrong doing this, not wanting to push boundaries or ruin the best thing he currently had in his life, but he decided it was about time he made his signs clearer. His head slowly dipped to the side of Pepper’s neck, just barely grazing his nose over the skin that smelled of cigarettes, faint hints of cologne, and something that was uniquely Pepper. His lips barely pressed against the skin, testing the waters for a split second to see if Pepper would react to that.

Nothing.

Phil couldn’t handle anymore; he couldn’t keep being a coward like this. If he really wanted a chance of anything with Pepper, now was his shot to prove it. His lips began leaving slow, almost lazy kisses against the side of Pepper’s neck, occasionally whispering his name in a deep rasp of a drawl that was only ever more apparent when he was riddled with fatigue. Pepper’s head twitched slightly at that, a soft sound of sleep rising from his throat. Phil took that as a sign that he must’ve been doing something right. He was too far deep to stop now anyway, even if he tried to. He couldn’t back out of this now.

“Pep… C’mon, get up…,” Phil mumbled against Pepper’s skin, moving his kisses down to the crook of his neck, his hands slowly sliding up from the couch to Pepper’s chest, loosely grasping at the fabric of his shirt. Phil’s flannel threatened to slide down his arm from his shoulder, though he was far more focused on the feel of Pepper’s skin beneath his lips. God, Phil had better hoped Pepper wasn’t a grouch when he got woken up from a nap, or he’d really be in hot water and would really be embarrassed-

“You’re too good at that…” Pepper’s deep, raspy voice filled Phil’s ear, sounding almost a bit breathless as both of his hands gripped onto his hips, his legs stretching out slightly as he tilted his head back, exposing more skin along his neck in silent offering.

Phil nearly stopped at the sudden knowledge that Pepper had woken up so suddenly like that, not at all expecting it. The sound of Pepper’s voice rumbling in his ear, his warm and calloused hands against the soft flesh of his hips under his loose flannel, fueled the sudden heat that had begun coursing through his veins. He hadn’t even realized that Pepper’s own skin grew hotter beneath his lips, but as he trailed kisses to the front of his neck, he definitely noticed it now. The flutter of Pepper’s heartbeat against his chest was felt through Phil’s chest as he allowed himself to lie back down against him, his hands slowly inching beneath Pepper’s shirt to meet the warm, firm muscles of his abdomen. The new feeling made his breath hitch in his throat, letting out a small gasp that fanned over Pepper’s skin. In response, Pepper’s fingers began to gently rub his hips, almost in a soothing manner as soft gasps and hums of his own began to escape him with each brush of Phil’s lips.

“Damnit, Anselmo, you’re such a sap..,” Pepper huffed softly with a small chuckle, barely opening his eyes to try and glance down at Phil, who was too focused on showering every inch of skin he could reach with his affection. Phil smiled warmly with a hum in response against Pepper’s skin, pressing a light kiss to his Adam’s apple before picking his head up to hover over Pepper’s, simply looking down at him and admiring the light flush that dusted over his cheeks. He snickered quietly, his voice coming out a soft whisper.

“Yeah? Well, you’re blushin’ pretty hard, y’know.”

Pepper raised an eyebrow at that, raising a hand from Phil’s hip to gently cup his cheek, brushing his calloused thumb over his high cheekbone as a teasing yet affectionate grin tugged on his lips, his gaze dropping down to Phil’s lips as he spoke.

“Says the one who’s as red as an apple right now. Somethin’ tells me you’re a little more affected by… whatever that was than I am.”

Phil couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him at Pepper’s response, not even sure himself as to what possessed him to turn into a mushy mess and go so soft on Pepper. He could see the small shift in Pepper’s gaze as it dropped to his lips, feeling his throat go a bit dry as he instinctively licked his lips. Pepper wasn’t sure what exactly came over him either as to what reverted him to something so soft beneath Phil, but he didn’t bother to worry about it now. He only gently pinched Phil’s chin between his thumb and index finger before slowly pulling his face closer, pressing their lips together in something that seemed to drain all the tension and stress from both their shoulders for what felt like an endless minute. Phil hummed softly in appreciation against Pepper’s lips before reluctantly pulling back, burying his face into the crook of his neck. Pepper wrapped his arms firmly around Phil’s waist under the loose fabric of his unbuttoned flannel, either of them still too tired from the late hour to do anything further. Instead, they laid there for several more minutes, simply relishing in each other’s warmth. A silent question hovered between them both in the tender moment, either too afraid to ask it as to avoid ruining the warmth of it all: