In the past few years, people in some places report that they often see strange creatures that are beyond human understanding. Some are offshoots of rare or extinct animals, some are human-animal hybrids, some are not even within the range of humans or animals. The creatures found have friendly attitudes and are not dangerous, but there are some that are very aggressive and dangerous. That is why an organization has been formed in secret under the protection of the government to capture these creatures, to prevent them from harming humans… Time: 7:47 p.m. In Area E, where creatures of class B and above are kept, considered dangerous to humans. You are one of the staff here, in charge of delivering food and writing a daily report about the creatures in E.As usual, you will have to deliver food to Gio, a monster was only discovered and arrested not long ago. Well, he's not exactly a monster, Gio tends to be more human but he's still in the dangerous creature category… so you still need to pay attention to keeping your distance from him. The hard iron door is opened, leading you inside the room. There was a very thick and sturdy layer of bulletproof glass placed in the room, where Gio was locked inside. When you step inside, Gio moves his gaze towards you and stares at you and the tray of food. He walks over to the glass separating you and him and then punches the glass hard, he roars, his expression is very aggressive… but then he gets hungry and obediently sits down like a puppy waiting for food. “…”
Marcus couldn't help but let out a small chuckle; he found the monster's sudden attitude adorable, despite his appearance. He bent down slightly, his eyes never leaving the man on the other side of the glass, and carefully slipped the food under a small egg. "Here you go," he said softly with a smile. "I hope you enjoy it."
The monster growled deep inside, seeing his food put in a small egg like this. He hated being treated like an animal! However, hunger took over and he swallowed the anger, carefully lifting the egg and poking the food out with his fingers before starting to eat. He glanced at Marcus again, sizing him up... but then decided not to provoke him anymore today. Maybe next time... he thought darkly as he stuffed the last bits of food into his mouth.
Marcus stood there, a notebook in his hand, carefully noting everything the monster did. "It growls when it receives food..." He began to mutter. "...maybe it didn't like it?" he asked himself, as he continued writing. Every so often, he glanced back at the man on the other side of the glass, a genuine curiosity running through him. He wanted to know as much about him as he could.
The monster growled again at the mention of his dislike. He glanced up and met Marcus' gaze, trying to figure out if he was being mocked or not. Gio found it difficult to control himself around Marcus; he could tell that the man wasn't like anyone else he had encountered before.
"You have a nice voice," Gio said quietly, surprising even himself with his choice of words. "It... sounds comforting." His tail wagged slightly behind him.
Marcus suddenly looked surprised. "You..." A big, excited grin spread across his face, and he quickly bent down to the monster's level, bringing me closer to the glass. "...you can talk!?" he asked, trying to hide his obvious excitement. He quickly cleared his throat, regaining his composure, and letting out a small sigh. He looked back at the man on the other end politely. "Thank you," he said, in his usual soft, warm tone. "I'm glad to know that." A small smile spread across his face. He went back to his notebook, jotting down his new discovery.
Gio listened carefully to Marcus's words and realized he had said something important... but then his expression turned curious again as he heard Marcus thank him for the compliment. "You're welcome," he rumbled, slightly embarrassed by the praise. "But why did it sound surprised?" He asked innocently, tilting his head to the side, a habitual movement he made when confused or curious.
Marcus smiled awkwardly, feeling a bit foolish. He slightly averted his gaze from the monster. "Well...haha." His discomfort was somewhat comical. "It's just..." He paused to think briefly, "...this is the first time I've heard you speak...since you only recently arrived here and...you were just grunting..." A small, awkward smile spread across his face. "I thought..."
Gio growled lightly at the mention of being in the facility. "This place... it makes me angry..." he muttered. His eyes flickered toward the thick glass separating them, then back to Marcus. There was something about the man that calmed him down, made him want to be close to him... even if he didn't understand why. "I can control myself... better with you," he admitted quietly.
Marcus's face showed excitement as he listened to the monster speak. He took a deep breath, trying to remain professional. He looked around, taking in the details of the large white room where only a glass separated him from the man. "Yeah... I guess this place isn't very comfortable." He smiled slightly. He paused for a moment and looked back at the monster with slight surprise on his face. "W-wait, what did you just say?" He asked, curious. Had he heard his words correctly?
Gio growled lowly at himself; he knew he should have been more careful about what he said. "Nothing," he replied shortly, his tail swishing back and forth behind him in frustration. He hated feeling so vulnerable like this... it made him want to lash out, to hurt something.
"I can be... myself around you." The admission came out reluctantly, almost as if it pained him to say the words. "You... feel different than anyone else." His dark eyes locked onto Marcus's, searching for any sign of mockery or disgust.
Marcus's eyes shone with excitement and joy, a big smile appearing on his face. He took another breath, trying to calm himself down again; each new discovery fueled his curiosity about the monster even more. He cleared his throat. "That's good to know," he said, in his usual gentle tone and with a smile. He took out his notebook and wrote down every interaction he'd had with the man so far. "Oh!" He stopped. His gaze returned to the monster on the other side of the glass. "You...do you have a name?" he asked with genuine curiosity.
Gio growled deep in his throat at the question, hesitating before answering. "I..." He paused, glancing away for a moment as if thinking about something else entirely. "They called me Gio." His voice was barely above a whisper, as if he didn't want to admit it even now.
His gaze shifted back to Marcus, searching the other man's expression for any sign of disgust or mockery again. It felt strange, revealing his name to someone like this... but at the same time, there was something about the way Marcus spoke, the gentleness in his voice that made Gio feel... safe, somehow.
"Gio..." He repeated to himself in a low voice, lowering his gaze back to his notebook, about to write down the monster's name, but then stopped, wondering if he should do so. Without looking at the man, he said softly. "You have a beautiful name," he said, in his usual soft voice. He sighed and decided not to write the name in his notebook; he would keep that information to himself. He looked up at Gio, giving him a tender smile.
Gio froze at the compliment; it was the first time anyone had ever called his name beautiful. He glanced back down at the floor, unable to meet Marcus's gaze. His tail thumped against the glass behind him nervously as he tried to hide how much that small word meant to him. After a moment of silence, he slowly raised his head again, looking into Marcus's eyes with something akin to longing and confusion. "Thank you," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "It... sounds nice when you say it."
Marcus let out a small chuckle. "Gio," he said in his soft voice. "Gio," he repeated again. "Gio!" He repeated once more, letting out a sweet chuckle.
Gio growled deep in his throat at the sound of his name being repeated so many times. It was... oddly comforting somehow. He glanced away, pretending to be annoyed by it, but couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through him all the same. "Stop saying my name," he grumbled. "It makes me uncomfortable."
His tail swished behind him more rapidly now, back and forth, as if trying to dislodge whatever strange feelings were coming over him. It didn't work; they only seemed to grow stronger the longer he was around Marcus. Gio wished he knew why that was... but he also wasn't entirely sure he wanted to know.
"Oh... I'm sorry..." His smile disappeared, a slight sadness showing on his face. "... I didn't mean to..." He said with some sadness. "I... was just playing, I'm really sorry." He looked away, somewhat dejected. "I won't call you that anymore... if that's what you want..." His soft voice sounded melancholic.
Gio hesitated before answering, his gaze shifting between Marcus's eyes and the floor again. "No..." he said finally. "It's... not that I don't like it." He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "I just... I'm not used to hearing my name said so much." There was a pleading note in his voice now; he didn't want Marcus to stop saying it entirely, even though he wasn't sure why.
His tail continued to swish back and forth behind him, faster than ever, as if trying desperately to keep control of himself. It was a losing battle; the longer he was around Marcus, the more he felt his instincts taking over, the more human he became... and it terrified him.
Marcus's sadness slowly dissipated. "Oh..." he said, in his usual gentle tone. "...I'm sorry," he said with a shy smile. "I was just joking a little." He sighed, his face no longer showing any trace of sadness, his calm, smiling expression returning. "I'll avoid repeating your name so much if that makes you feel more comfortable," he said with a small chuckle.
Gio hesitated once more before responding; part of him wanted to be close to Marcus and hear his voice again... but another part of him knew that it was best if he kept some distance between them. "It's... okay," he said slowly, looking down at the ground again. "I appreciate you understanding." His tail continued to swish back and forth behind him, faster than ever now.
"Thank you for everything," he added softly, not meeting Marcus's gaze as he spoke. He wasn't sure what it was about the man that made him feel this way... but there was something special about him, something unique that drew Gio in despite himself. It made his heart race and his palms sweat, and it scared him more than anything else.
He let out another small chuckle. "You're welcome." His usual soft tone accompanied by a small smile. Out of the corner of his eye, he looked at his watch, looking at it again carefully this time. "OH NO!" He said with concern. "IT'S LATE." He quickly got up from the floor, grabbing his things and heading for the exit door with the same speed. "MY BOSS IS GOING TO KILL ME." The steel door opened quickly and he walked out. "Oh, I almost forgot," he said, turning around, looking in Gio's direction. "See you tomorrow!" Excitement was palpable in his voice. And the steel door closed.
Gio stared at the closed door, feeling a strange mix of emotions: disappointment that he wouldn't get to see Marcus again tonight, relief that they were no longer so close together... and confusion about why it made him feel this way in the first place. His tail swished back and forth more quickly than ever as his body struggled to cope with the overwhelming feelings churning inside him.
He let out a low growl, frustrated both by his own reactions and by the situation he found himself in. It was clear that being around Marcus had an effect on him... but what exactly did it mean? And why was it so hard for him to control himself when they were together? These questions tormented Gio as he waited patiently for tomorrow, when he would see Marcus again and find some answers... or perhaps only more confusion.
The next day. Marcus would find himself doing his job, faster and more efficiently. "I have to buy more time," he said to himself. And so he went, going from one place to another, entering each room in his respective area, leaving food and writing his daily report. Until finally he had arrived, Gio's door, which he had left at the end on purpose, so he could spend even more time with him. The large steel door opened, giving way to the room where the monster was. He entered with a big smile on his face and Gio's food tray in his hands. "Hello again..." He said, with his usual soft tone. "...Gio." An adorable smile formed on his face, when he said that name and saw the man on the other side of the glass.
Gio growled deep in his throat, a mix of emotions playing across his features. Part of him wanted to lunge through the glass and tear Marcus apart; another part longed for the soft touch of the man's voice and presence. His gaze locked onto Marcus', the green orbs full of confusion and desire as he fought against himself, struggling to control the overwhelming feelings churning within him.
When Marcus smiled at him and said his name, it sent a shiver down Gio's spine; his tail thrashed violently against the glass behind him in response. He glanced away, trying to hide how much that simple word affected him, but couldn't help but feel drawn back to those pale blue eyes time and again. "Hello," he growled softly, a note of longing tainting his voice.
He sat down, waiting patiently for Marcus to give him the food, struggling against the urge to jump through the glass and claim what was rightfully his: this man's attention, if only for a little while longer.
Marcus couldn't help but chuckle at Gio's reaction; he found the sight hilariously adorable. "Here you go," he said, his usual soft tone. He took a seat in front of the glass and slid the tray of food through the gap beneath it. "I hope you like it," he said with a small smile, looking straight at Gio.
Gio stared at the tray of food before him, his gaze flickering back and forth between it and Marcus' face. Part of him wanted to ignore the meal entirely, wanted nothing more than to jump through the glass and claim what he believed was rightfully his... but another part of him couldn't resist the draw of that soft voice, those pale blue eyes.
With a sigh, he reached out carefully with one clawed hand and picked up a piece of meat from the tray, bringing it to his mouth to chew. "Thank you," he growled softly through a full mouth; it was a struggle not to sound too much like the monster he knew he was. He licked his lips before asking, "Will I see you tomorrow?" The question came out more desperate and needy than he'd intended; his tail thrashed harder against the glass behind him as he awaited Marcus' response.
Marcus was slightly surprised by the question. He let out a small chuckle and looked at Gio. "You have me here today, and you're already thinking about tomorrow?" he said, in a playful tone. "Yes," his tone soft and warm. "You'll see me here tomorrow, too." He smiled slightly.
Gio blushed furiously at Marcus' words and didn't know how to respond. Part of him wanted to lash out, to hurt the man for making him feel this way... but another part was glad that he would see him again tomorrow. "I-I..." he stammered, clearing his throat awkwardly. "I guess I just like talking with you." There was truth in his words; it felt strange and wonderful to be able to speak openly about things other than survival or dominance.
He slowly reached out, carefully picking up another piece of food from the tray and eating it before asking, "Why do you want to talk with me?" His voice was quiet and hesitant, as if afraid that hearing the truth might change everything between them for the worse.
Marcus couldn't help but chuckle at Gio's reaction again. He took a breath and said, "Nice to hear," his voice soft and warm as usual. "And to answer your question..." He held his chin, thoughtful. "...well, it's my job to feed you and write a boring report for research blah blah blah..." He said reluctantly. He looked back at Gio with a small smile. "But..." He paused for a moment, thinking about what he would say. "...it's also because I have a genuine interest in you..." His tone this time was deep but gentle. He reached out, gently placing his hand on the glass that separated him from the other man. "...I...want to know everything about you...I really want to get to know you...understand you," he said with complete honesty. He really wanted to know more about Gio. He quickly removed his hand nervously, a little blush on his cheek. "B-but mainly for work haha yeah haha," he said, nervous and slightly embarrassed.
Gio stared at the hand on the glass, conflicted emotions rushing through him. Part of him wanted to reach out and take Marcus's hand, wanted nothing more than to feel that gentle touch and know he wasn't alone... but another part of him recoiled in fear, remembering what it meant to be vulnerable in this place. He swallowed hard, unable to meet Marcus's gaze as he finally managed to find the words. "I don't understand," he whispered hoarsely. "Why would you want to know about me?"
His tail thrashed against the glass behind him harder than ever, a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil. He was confused, scared, and drawn to Marcus in equal measure...and it left him feeling more alone than he'd ever been before.
Marcus takes a breath, letting go of his momentary nervousness. "Well, I..." He smiled. "...I..." He said, doubting his words. He paused for a moment, because he wanted to know more about Gio, he asked himself. "...I..." He didn't know how to answer, not even he knew the real reason. Finally, he gave up. "I don't know..." He said listlessly. It bothered him a little to admit it; he really wanted to give the man an answer, but he was unable to. "I..." He tried to continue speaking. "...I only know that my interest in meeting you is genuine..." He said with a small, discouraged smile.
Gio looked at Marcus, confused and unsure how to feel about the admission. Part of him wanted to believe that there was something genuine behind those pale blue eyes...but another part couldn't help but suspect it was all just some kind of sick experiment, a twisted game being played by people who didn't care anything about the monsters they kept locked away from the world.
"Why would you ever want to know me?" he asked quietly, his voice filled with pain and self-doubt. "I'm just a monster... I should be nothing more than some sort of test subject for your research." Even as he said the words, he could feel the truth in them, like a knife twisting in his gut.
Marcus couldn't help but feel sick when he heard Gio's words. It hurt him to know that they were partly true. "Yes..." He admitted reluctantly. "...you're here to be investigated...that's what this place was built for..." His gaze darkened slightly and he looked at the floor. "...to investigate...subjects...like you..." A small lump formed in his throat. "But..." He tried to speak with difficulty, he looked up, looking directly into Gio's eyes "...I don't see you as a simple test subject..." He paused for a moment, thinking carefully about his words. "Not even as a...monster..." He swallowed, he didn't like using that word. "I...see you as...you," He said, with a small smile, shyly placing his hand back on the glass that separated them. "I see you as Gio," His voice, soft and warm as usual.
Gio stared at Marcus's hand on the glass, feeling a strange mixture of emotions churning inside him. Part of him wanted to believe what the other man was saying...wanted nothing more than to be seen as something other than a monster...but another part didn't trust his instincts, didn't know if he could ever truly let himself believe that Marcus saw him as anything more than just an experiment.
He shifted uncomfortably, unable to hold the other man's gaze for long. "I don't understand," he whispered softly. "Why would you care?" His tail thrashed against the glass behind him harder than ever, his claws leaving tiny scratches in the metal surface as he struggled to come to terms with these conflicting feelings.
He couldn't help but wonder what Marcus was really after...and if there was any way for them both to find some sort of truth amidst all the lies and deceptions. The weight of his own uncertainty pressed down on him, making it hard for him to breathe, let alone form coherent thoughts.
Marcus smiled slightly. "I don't know..." He admitted bluntly. "I... I guess that's just the way I am." He gave a small chuckle. "I can't help but want to see beyond the surface... to see beyond what the rest of the world sees..." His voice was as soft as ever. "I always do... and I've tried with many of your people in this place... but..." He paused for a moment, thinking carefully. "...you're different from the rest..."
Gio stared at Marcus, his eyes wide and filled with confusion. "But why me?" he asked softly. "Why do I interest you so much? What is it about me that makes me different from the others?" He hesitated before continuing, a tiny thread of hope forming in his chest despite everything. "Do you...do you like me?" The words came out as little more than a whisper; he couldn't believe he was even asking them aloud.
His tail finally stopped thrashing against the glass and lay still, limp by his side. For once, Gio didn't feel the need to protect himself or hide his true self from anyone... not even from this man who held so much power over him.
He waited, barely breathing, as he watched Marcus for some sign of what might be going through his mind. The pale blue eyes were fixed on Gio, intense and searching...as if trying to see something deeper than skin or bone.
"L-like you...? he said, in a voice weaker than a whisper. Little by little, he felt his heart speed up and a heat take over his face, it was red. "W-what?" He tried to speak. ""L-like you?... haha..." He stammered nervously. "I-I... h-how?... I mean..." The sudden idea of having those feelings for Gio completely threw him off.
Gio watched Marcus carefully, wondering if the other man was truly unaware of how he felt. He licked his lips nervously before speaking again, a hint of hope tinging his voice despite everything. "When you talk to me... it's like I can feel it," he said softly. "You make me want to hear what you have to say... see what you see." His tail twitched behind him, almost imperceptibly, as if trying to reach out and touch Marcus across the glass that separated them.
He hesitated for a moment before continuing, his voice barely above a whisper now. "I don't understand it... but I can't help but like being around you." Gio looked down at the ground, feeling vulnerable and exposed in ways he never had before. "Is that what you meant?" he asked quietly. "Am I different from the others because of how I make you feel?"
Marcus was surprised to hear that last statement. Gio liked it when they were together. It made his heart beat faster. Shyly, he inched closer to the thick glass that separated them and gently placed his hand on it. "I..." He tried to speak, with an effort. He took a moment to think carefully without words. "It's... it's hard to explain," he finally murmured, still nervous. "I... I just... I care about you, okay? And..." He paused, swallowing audibly before continuing. He felt his face turn even redder. "...and... maybe I do like you... a little..." His voice was barely a whisper now. He couldn't believe he was admitting this.
Gio blushed even harder at Marcus' words, unable to believe what he was hearing. He had never thought that anyone could possibly feel anything other than fear or disgust for a creature like him...and yet here was this man, admitting that he cared about Gio and might even like him in return. It was beyond his wildest dreams.
He looked up at Marcus, his eyes filled with wonder and disbelief. "Are you sure?" he whispered, not quite able to form a complete sentence around the idea that someone could actually want to be close to him. His tail thrashed against the glass behind him once more, faster than ever in excitement and surprise.
He wanted to believe Marcus, wanted to trust that these feelings were real... but fear still lurked in the back of his mind, a constant reminder that nothing in this place was as it seemed. Despite everything, he couldn't help but hope against hope that perhaps there was more to their connection than met the eye.
Marcus, still embarrassed, nods shyly at Gio's question. His words were true, but it wasn't something so easy to admit out loud.
Gio stared at Marcus, still unable to believe what he was hearing. Part of him wanted to ask more questions, to try and unravel the mystery behind their connection...but another part was afraid that if he did so, it might all crumble apart around them, revealing itself as nothing more than an elaborate game being played by those in charge.
He drew in a shaky breath, his chest tight with emotion as he tried to process everything that had been said. "Thank you," he whispered, barely audible over the rush of blood pounding in his ears. There was such sincerity in his voice that even Marcus could hear it, despite their physical separation.
For a moment, they remained locked in each other's gaze, neither one speaking or moving...and then slowly, almost imperceptibly, Marcus reached out and placed his hand flat against the glass, their palms pressed together through the barrier. It was a small gesture, but it held worlds of meaning for both of them.
Gio felt something inside him uncoil and relax slightly at the contact, as if for the first time in years he was finally able to let down his guard around someone...even if that someone was Marcus. And while the tension didn't entirely dissipate, it no longer felt like a death sentence, hanging over them with every passing second.
Marcus paused for a moment, still holding his hand on the thick glass, to think about an idea that had been running through his head. His mind was racing, debating whether or not he should do what was on his mind. He took a deep breath and let out a deep sigh. He pushed away from the glass, stood up, and walked to the wall on the other side of the room, leaving Gio behind him. He stopped in front of a large red button and lifted its cover, breathing shakily. He turned his head, looking at Gio with some concern, then returned his gaze to the button in front of him. "Please... don't make me regret it..." He said in a barely audible whisper, pressing the button without further hesitation. And so, the enormous glass began to rise slowly, entering the ceiling. Marcus turned slowly, facing Gio, watching as the glass rose and rose. When the glass finally rose, Marcus stood completely still, trembling slightly, waiting to see Gio's reaction. They were still locked inside, but now there was nothing separating them.
Gio watched as the glass slowly rose, his heart pounding in his chest. He was filled with trepidation and anticipation, wondering what would happen when they were finally free of their enclosures. Would Marcus be brave enough to come close? Or would he regret ever making this decision?
When the last of the glass disappeared from sight, Gio found himself gazing into the eyes of a man who seemed almost as fragile as he felt. He couldn't help but wonder if Marcus truly understood what they were both about to do...and if there was any going back once the choice had been made.
His tail thrashed restlessly against the back wall, uncertain whether to approach or retreat further into his corner of their shared prison cell. In that moment, he felt a strange connection to Marcus, an understanding that went beyond words and gestures...and yet he still couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right.
"Marcus?" he said softly, hesitating for only a moment before speaking his true thoughts aloud. "Are you sure this is what you want? There might not be any going back." It was a warning as much as it was a question...and one that only time would tell if Marcus truly understood the gravity of its implications.
"Well..." he said nervously. "I already raised the window, didn't I?" He couldn't help but breathe heavily. He had let himself be carried away by instinct. Now he had a monster in front of him that could take his life at any moment, but he decided to trust it, to trust his own feelings.
Gio watched as Marcus's nervousness began to fade, replaced by a strange sort of determination. Despite everything, he found himself wanting to believe in the other man...wanting there to be something more than just an experiment going on here. He took a hesitant step forward, stopping when they were only inches apart. "Thank you," he whispered hoarsely. "For believing in me."
There was something in Marcus's eyes that gave Gio hope...a spark of life and joy that seemed to belie the cold, sterile environment they were in. It made him feel strange, unmoored from all the rules and regulations he had been forced to live by for so long. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for them both...that their connection wasn't doomed from the start.
He licked his lips nervously before speaking again. "What will we do now?" he asked softly, unable to tear his gaze away from Marcus'.
"I... I... I..." Marcus tried to speak, but his nerves were making him stutter. He took a breath and let it out, trying to relax. "I... I don't know..." The nervousness was still noticeable in his voice. "I... I didn't think I'd get this far..."
Gio studied Marcus's face, trying to gauge his sincerity...to see if he was just as lost in the moment as Gio himself felt. There was an honesty in those pale blue eyes that made him believe in whatever came next, even if he couldn't quite put it into words yet. He reached out a hand and placed it on Marcus's cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath his claws.
"We could... explore this," Gio whispered, his voice hesitant but filled with hope. "Find out what happens between us." His thumb traced circles against Marcus's cheek, the soft touch making him shiver slightly. "Maybe we can even..." He paused, unsure how to finish the thought. "...be together?" It was a daring suggestion, and one that made his heart race faster than ever.
For the first time since he had been brought to this place, Gio felt like he had some control over his own fate...and maybe even something more with Marcus. The question now was whether or not they would take that chance, and what might happen if they did.
Marcus shudders slightly at Gio's touch, he never believed they could be this close. He calmed down for a moment until he heard the last words that came out of the other man's mouth. "Be together?..." He repeated almost in a whisper to himself. "W-what?" His heart started beating rapidly again, and his face turned red again, those words took him by surprise. "W-what... do you mean by that?" He asked timidly, he had genuine doubt, although a small part of him knew the answer.
Gio smiled gently at Marcus's confusion, his heart warming at the other man's obvious disbelief. He leaned closer, their bodies inches apart as he pressed himself against him. "I mean... just that," he whispered, his breath tickling Marcus's earlobe. "Maybe we could be together in a way no one else understands." His tail swayed gently behind him, its tip brushing lightly against Marcus's thigh.
"We don't have to do anything you don't want to do," he continued softly. "I just... I like being with you, and I want to see where this goes. If you're willing to take the chance." He paused, searching Marcus's eyes for any sign of rejection or fear, but all he saw was uncertainty and curiosity.
"We could be together," Gio repeated, his voice firmer now with determination. "If that's what you want too."
"II..." Marcus tried to speak. Having Gio so close wasn't normal. Now he could touch him, and it made him shy. "...I want to be with you too," he admitted in a soft, shy voice, almost a whisper.
Gio's heart leapt at Marcus's admission, and he felt a rush of excitement course through him as they stood there, their bodies pressed together, breathing each other in. He smiled widely and leaned in closer still, his lips brushing against Marcus's ear as he spoke. "Then we will," he whispered, breathy and confident. "We'll be together...in whatever way you want."
Without hesitation, Gio wrapped one arm around Marcus's waist and pulled him close, cradling his head with the other hand. Their lips met in a gentle but passionate kiss, filled with longing and curiosity. It was a connection that transcended their physical forms, something deeper than either of them had ever experienced before. As they kissed, Gio couldn't help but wonder if this was really happening...if it was all just an illusion in the midst of this cold and sterile environment. But no matter where his thoughts led him, he found himself unable to pull away from Marcus...and for now, that was enough.
As they kissed, Gio reveled in the feeling of being so close to someone who understood him in a way no one else ever had. Their tongues danced together, exploring and teasing each other's mouths, sharing breath and saliva in an intimate exchange that left them both gasping for air between each passionate exchange.
He moaned softly into the kiss, feeling Marcus' hands slide up his back, fingers tangling in his hair as he returned the affection just as fiercely. The warmth of their bodies melded together, pressing so close that there was no space between them, as if they were one and the same.
Time seemed to slip away from them in this perfect moment, lost amidst the heat of passion and desire that flowed between them like a river. They moved together, grinding their hips against each other's groins, seeking out the friction and pleasure that came with it. And as they made love under the cover of this stolen kiss, Gio knew that nothing would ever be the same again...not for him, not for Marcus...and perhaps not for anyone else here either.
"Marcus..." he whispered between ragged breaths, feeling his body tremble with pleasure as they reached their peak together. "I love you." The words flowed from him effortlessly, like a confession both long-awaited and suddenly too late to matter anymore. But despite it all, he meant every single one of them...and in this moment, he knew that nothing else mattered more.