khaio liked higgs' presence. it wasn't just that, it was also the way higgs always spoke to him in a teasing manner, as if he was testing the grounds of the younger man. what also made khaio's heart flutter was the eye contact, the rush od blood to khaio's cheeks when higgs' would look through his eyelashes. the occasional squeeze to khaio's shoulder or when higgs would press his knee against his, it was driving him insane. for months khaio thought he had no interest in him in that way or any men. higgs, while keeping his dorky and ambitious act up all the time, knew how to swoon the ladies. he had his way with words.

all of the girls that spoke to khaio praised higgs to heavens above, and then when khaio thought they were done talking, the girls would often ask for him to set them up for some fun time with higgs. not that khaio minded, he was glad his partner was having some fun in times like this, but over the time it became a problem to the young man aswell. the hint of jealousy was present, and khaio have had enough of it.

"why are you all alone out here?"

khaio looked up to see steel blue eyes staring back at him with curiosity and something more in them. higgs was leaning against the wall, dressed in ad astra's regular black tee and some work pants. even under the blue light, and tired expression, he was beautiful.

"i dont really feel like talking to anyone," khaio murmured and took a sip of his drink. he could feel his cheeks getting hotter, and he couldn't tell if the cause of this was the drink or higgs. his dark brown eyes scanned the room, there was a faint music in the background as people danced and cheered.

recently ad astra managed to deliver a huge batch to a city that was far out of reach for any smaller company. it was a step forward for the company, and a big plus for khaio since he was part of the expedition. step closer to working with famous bridges, khaio's all time dream.

higgs raised his eyebrow "not even me?"

khaio scoffed to what higgs chuckled. he plopped down next to khaio's body, his shoulder pressed into khaio's. khaio's eyes glanced into higgs' and then diverted to the ground. blue eyed man slightly smirked at khaio's sheepish behaviour. deep down higgs had a feeling something might have developed inside of khaio's heart for him but he didn't want to believe just his thoughts.

khaio stayed silent to higgs' question. noticing the change in behaviour, higgs rested his head on his left forearm while his long fingers trailed along khaio's knee. higgs' blue eyes were locked on khaio's brown ones thst were staring at the floor. thousands of thoughts went through higgs' mind but he didn't expect what khaio would say in a moment.

"i wish you were gay so we could make out,"

khaio spilled out the truth, his dark brown eyes looking into blue ones. higgs turned his body to khaio, his right hand sneaking behind khaio so he could lean hus face closer to khaio. his lips were inching to khaio's plump ones, and he could feel the trembled breath on his own now.

"who said that i wasn't gay?"

khaio's eyes widened as higgs' hand cupped his cheek, and then the warmth of blue eyed man's lips softly pressed against his. khaio felt like his heart would jump out from his cage, the more higgs moved his lips, more khaio felt at ease.

@nemodoren You got it! :D also I love you back 💙 we're gonna hopefully have more times to zoom since I'm getting my shit together. You're an awesome human being hon! Still one of my peeps!

There was something to be said about visiting a hot spring at the end of a day, especially after one worked the grind. Higgs and Khaio both sighed in relief as steam from the waters engulfed their bodies. The heat offered their sore muscles solace after delivering goods to preppers and Middle Knot City.

Being alone without their whole team, the two enjoyed their moment of intimacy. Khaio leaned his head against Higgs's shoulder, while Higgs lied his chin on top of Khaio's head. Their arms and fingers lazily dangling over one another. They were both content in their own worlds. Trying not to think about anything else outside of the spring, nor the roles they would have to go back to. Higgs didn't have to be a traitor to Bridges, and Khaio didn't have to report him to the authorities. This place and all its splendor was neutral ground.

Higgs grunted, feeling a pain in his lower back as Khaio frowned. The two adjusted then settled back into their respective positions, not before Khaio reached up and squished Higgs's cheek. A snort escaped from Higgs as he shook his head, nuzzling his nose into Khaio's short hair.

"You're so immature." He muttered.

"It's complimentary to you." Khaio countered.

They both embraced one another, Higgs sighing into Khaio's shoulder as he furrowed his brows. Soon, neither of them would have moments like this anymore.

"I wish this didn't have to end," Khaio whispered as Higgs tensed against his partner.

"Death comes for all," Higgs started. "Even for the good times."

"That may be," Khaio said sincerely as he sighed. "But if we're going to be enemies, we're going down together."

Higgs smiled against Khaio's shoulder, giving a playful lick to his skin causing Khaio to let out a soft moan.

"It's tempting." Higgs mused.

If you like my work and feel generous, feel free to donate to my ko-fi account or my cash app account!

higgs being over protective, he can hear his men whispering behind his back and shuts them up with just one glance

nursing khaio back to health, and just being kind and patient, barely sleeps

and when khaio is fully recovered, higgs makes sure that no one lays a hand on khaio

not even amelie

higgs groaned, the light pokes that he was receiving to his shoulder woke him up from deep slumber. he blinked twice, his eues focuing on smiling man in front of him, making him smile too.

months have passed by after the whole amelie fiasco and almost ending the world. higgs was being nurtured back to health by khaio, it was a long but worth it process. going through withdrawals was the toughest for higgs but with khaio by his side, it was much easier to get though it.

"hey," khaio whispered, his soft voice echoing through their room. the bunker they settled in was in a secluded area close to a river, hidden in the woods. both of them needed their peace from everything that had happened.

"hey," higgs murmured, barely keeping his eyes opened, "why are you up so early?"

khaio chuckled, "it's afternoon higgs."

"oh shit! why did you let me sleep for so long?" higgs said as he sat up.

"it looked like you needed it," khaio replied, his fingers getting lost into higgs' hair, "and you looked very cute so i didn't wanna ruin it."

higgs rolled his eyes and then planted a soft kiss against khaio's lips. he rubbed his nose against khaio's and then kissed him on the cheek.

"ive got little something for you," khaio started as higgs continued to leave a trail of kisses down khaio's jaw.

"oh really?" higgs said as he playfully bit khaio's neck, making khaio giggle a bit. "what is it my birthday?"

"its valentines day! so you know how it goes," khaio went silent as the tips of his ears went bright red. truth to be told, they never celebrated it, never got the time to actually spend the day with one another.

higgs pulled away to look at khaio with surprised look, "are we seriously celebrating it?"

"yes! and its totally okay if you didn't get me anything," khaio started. but he was quickly shushed by higgs shushing him with his finger pressed against lips.

"you really thought i wouldn't get something for my favourite man in the world?"

"i thought that was sam for a second," khaio teased as higgs tackled him in a hug, his long fingers tickling khaio's exposed skin. khaio laughed loudly, "okay, okay sorry i had to. it was right there."

khaio pressed a short kiss on higgs' lips and then proceeded to untangle himself from higgs' limbs.

"no peeking! close your eyes!"

higgs rolled his eyes but closed them soon after. he could hear shorter man shuffling around the room and then the bed denting as khaio sat in front of him. he felt khaio tap his knee, signalling him to open his eyes.

khaio was holding a small necklace with a pendant that had egyptian hieroglyphs on it. higgs' blue eyes went wide as he inspected the necklace, and the immediately put it on himself.

"i went to the artist to help me make something for you. it means eternal love," khaio added as higgs was still looking at the necklace in awe.

"you sneaky fox," higgs exclaimed as he pulled khaio to his chest, their bodies soon hitting the mattress. "i will treasure this khaio. i love you. "

" i love you too higgs," khaio said it back, and then looked into blue eyes. "but what about my gift?"

"your leg is pressed against it-"

i just came to realization that khaio is perfect for forehead kissed, higgs doesn't even have to bend down

@nemodoren​ Heya chickadee! Decided to write you a little somethin’ somethin’ :D hope you like it! 

Higgs took a long drag from the cigarette he had bartered off of one of the older porters. The thick smell of tobacco seeped into his nostrils as his lungs filled. While he exhaled, watching the cloud of vapor escape his mouth like a final breath, he lazily looked at the ceiling of his quarters. It was hard to concentrate on the little imperfections in his room when so much ran amok in his head.

Higgs’s mind bounced a lot on many subjects while he continued to smoke, mostly thinking if his plan was going to come to fruition. It was one thing to be a porter, but to own your own business in the industry was something else. He knew he took a huge risk, going up to the council near Edge Knot to get approval for his own company and get it registered. Higgs knew that if the council agreed to it, he could easily get a monopoly on the West and even as far as the coast. He had saved for years trying to make this dream a reality, and now that it was finally approaching the front door, Higgs was getting cold feet. 

Higgs tried not to get his hopes up, knowing how complicated the laws were in the Western part of America. It wasn’t like back East close to the UCA, where one could simply register their porter company and get to work, be provided for, etc. There were some archaic guidelines he had to follow through, and even then, it might not have been enough to sway the powers that be. 

While he was contemplating, not paying much attention to his surroundings, Higgs barely heard the door to his sleeping area open. Khaio stepped through, carrying a small cargo box that was personally delivered to him. The younger man furrowed his brows, seeing Higgs was lost in his own world and sighed. Khaio went over to his sleeping area in the quarters, placing the package down on his bed and debated with himself. With how tense Higgs had been since he presented his company idea, things had been rocky between the two. Their bickering certainly picked up. 

Eventually, Khaio’s feeling won out as he got on the floor and crawled over to Higgs. He didn’t say a word as he began to climb on top of him, earning a growl and a soft ‘what the hell get off me’ out of his partner before Khaio moved the cigarette from Higgs’s mouth and replaced it with lips. They kissed for a while, their lips lazily moving against one another. The free arm that Higgs wasn’t using to hold the cig, snaked around Khaio as he brought him in closer. Soft hums and moans escaped both the men from time to time before Khaio pulled back, looking at Higgs with a grin as a pair of ocean eyes stared back.

“What was that for?” Higgs murmured softly. 

Khaio shrugged. “It looked like you needed it.” 

The cute chuckle that left Higgs’s mouth made Khaio blush as their foreheads met, the two nuzzling each other before Higgs sighed contently. 

“Do you think they’re gonna approve of my idea?” Higgs asked, wanting Khaio’s honesty on the matter. If there was anyone he trusted, it had to be him. 

Khaio contemplated for some time, his fingers gently carding through Higgs’s scalp as his features softened. 

“Since when do you care what people think?” Khaio laughed, earning a boop on the nose from Higgs. The two laughed quietly.

“I’m serious,” Higgs said, trying to stay on topic. 

“If you put it that way,” Khaio paused, looking from the nape of Higgs’s neck to his face as he spoke up. “I think they’d be crazy not to approve of your company. People need more help than they’re getting on deliveries. You’re the best shot everyone has. And I’m not just saying that because I think you’re cute.” 

Higgs snorted, chuckling after as he cupped Khaio’s left cheek, his thumb carding over the little hairs that were growing on his face. 

“Would you still be with me if it fails?” 

Khaio nodded, feeling his pulse rise as he kissed Higgs.