Third Day: A Season of Compromise

The pager beeps for the fifth time that evening, prompting Erwin to untangle himself from the ball of limbs and blankets on his bed to check it. Sure enough, it was a call to duty.
“Well, no more delay.”
As he tried to move off the bed, a warm pair of arms wrapped around his waist.
“C'mon, five more minutes won't hurt. I mean, it's Christmas Eve...”
Gregory popped out from the covers, nuzzling himself against Erwin's bare chest. It was the first time the two had spent a moment together in a while, and the younger man wasn't eager in letting the doctor leave him alone.
“That's the price you pay for getting with a surgeon.” Erwin said before planting a kiss on the ginger's forehead, “Now let me go so I can change.”
“Muu, fine...” He huffed before letting go.
If Gregory was honest, they didn't really love each other. Since the start of their relationship, it was never each other they saw. Their eyes may have locked several times, but their sights were set on someone beyond their reach.
“I'll be back soon,” Erwin said, giving Gregory a kiss before running out the door,
“Off to save another life,” Gregory thought to himself
Laying alone in the man's bed, the ginger reflected on their relationship. Yes, there was no real love between them. At the core of their relationship was lust, plain and simple. But the things they desired were not something the world nor themselves would forgive.
Erwin wanted someone younger. No, not just someone younger, someone just on the cusps of adulthood and who worried for him...
Gregory wanted someone older. No, not just someone older, someone who taught him how to survive the world and cared for him...
Neither male matched what the other truly wanted, but they were willing to compromise.
Erwin wanted someone younger, but Gregory's childish looks and lanky body would satisfy him. Gregory wanted someone older, but Erwin's skilled hands and rugged looks would do.
No, they did not love each other. But they certainly trusted one another. The twisted desires of one was the pleasure of the other.
“Kindness? Love? We don't need those things.” He buried his head into his partner's pillow and sniffed, basking in his scent, “For people as fucked up as us, desire's the only thing we have left.”