Ned Chicane: Ned was tired. The last hunt had left him bruised and aching in a way that did little but remind one of their age and faults. He wasn't a fan. He was posted up behind the counter of the Cryptonomica, a glass of something to warm his bones beside the clunky old laptop he had plugged into the modem, scrolling achingly slow through pages of ebay shops each proclaiming an artifact or fake he could spruce up. The sound of a bell over the door didn't quite stir him from the page of haunted dolls, "Sorry, we're closed, now-" he looked up and melted into a smile, "Duck, it's good to see you, how can I help you tonight?"

Duck Newton: Duck barely had the energy the energy to drive to the Cryptonimica, let alone actually get out and walk through the door. But when he did, he was rewarded with a warm rush of air, the sweet smell of tea, and the sight of Ned behind the counter with a very concentrated expression. He smiled, and nodded his hello. "I can tell you're just as exhausted as I am from tonight. I hope you don't mind some company while you relax."

Ned Chicane: “I wouldn’t mind that at all.” Ned smiled and close the clamshell of the computer slowly, watching Duck as he made his advance. “It was a long day.” he agreed, pulling up the bar to let Duck behind the counter, “Can I interest you in some tea, coffee, anything else? We’d have to go up to my place, but I could grab you something stronger.” he glanced back at the door to the stairs that lead to his apartment over the museum.

Duck Newton: Duck ducked under the bar and slid up against Ned, letting his head fall against Ned’s shoulder with a soft noise. “Naw, I’m fine. I should stay away from anything caffeinated for the rest of the night. I smoked, like, half a pack on the way here.”

Ned Chicane: Ah. Ned wrapped an arm around Duck, pulling him a little closer and resting his own head against Duck’s. “I know that’s an overstatement.” Ned half-warned, though the smell could’ve convinced him. He carded a hand through Duck’s hair, pressing a soft kiss to the crown of his head, “What’s got you worked up, Duck?”

Duck Newton: “It’s really not, Ned. I- You know, nothing we’ve fought has got me so anxious before. I dunno, Ned. Sometimes you just don’t know.” He reached in his pocket and took out his lighter, flicking it on a few times before stuffing it back in his pocket, murmuring to himself, “You don’t let me smoke in here…”

Ned Chicane: Ned sighed and slid off the chair, hugging Duck properly, “Aubrey’s safe.” he reminded softly. “So are we. It’s over, Duck, it’s fine until next month.” he pressed close, his lips brushing Duck’s forehead. “If you smoke in here it’ll burn the damn place down and clog my lungs.”

Duck Newton: “I know all that, Ned, it’s just- Sometimes things just get to me, y'know? No matter how stupid.” He rested his chin against Ned’s shoulder, feeling safe, at least in this moment, in his arms. He brought his own arms up to wrap around Ned’s neck. “It’s just this weight in my stomach that won’t go away.”

Ned Chicane: Ned wasn’t quite sure what to say. He stayed there, holding Duck tight and petting over his back, “Did you feed Molly tonight?” he pet down Duck’s spine, “Stay here, Duck, take the day off, sleep it down, let’s talk about it in the morning, okay?” A small hesitation, “We could ask somebody to check on the cat, if you didn’t get the chance to feed her.”

Duck Newton: “Molly’s fine I fed her before I left. I just didn’t want to be alone.” He leaned back to look at Ned, a smile pulling at his lips. “Thanks. I mean, I knew you’d let me stay, and that’s why I came, but thanks.”

Ned Chicane: “Hush, you, it’s a grand gesture.” Ned smiled warmly, glad to see him relaxing if even a little. “Head upstairs, I’ll lock the door, clean up a little down here.”

Duck Newton: Duck nodded and finally let go of Ned, looking back as he made his way up the stairs. As he waited, he found a comfortable spot in the corner of the couch, accompanied by a huge blanket and his phone.

Ned Chicane: Ned bustled around the shop, locking the door, pulling down the drapes, and doing a quick check-over before turning off the lights and heading up after Duck. He stood behind the couch and started rubbing Duck’s shoulders, eager to relax the poor ranger. “Are we going to shower in the morning, or now?” most of the bombastic tone had drained away, his voice seeking to calm, not excite. “And- you absolutely can shower on your own, I didn’t mean to… insinuate.”

Duck Newton: Duck giggled softly, turning to look at Ned. “I don’t mind if you shower with me. I think it would be nice. A shower, I mean. But with you it would be nicer.”

Ned Chicane: “I will admit, that’s the answer I wanted.” Ned leaned down to kiss Duck softly, “I’ll go run the water, heavens knows it needs to heat up.” the hot water heater wasn’t the best in this old place, but Ned had never spent more on repairs than the general store could charge him for duct tape.

Duck Newton: Duck got up to follow, deciding to leave the blanket behind. He caught up with Ned in the bathroom door, and leaned against the frame as he watched.

Ned Chicane: Once the pipes creaked and complained into submission, Ned had stepped back and pulled his shirt off, view obstructed until it was over his head and he peaked Duck in the window, “Oh, excuse me.” his voice rang with a smile as he posed for only a moment before dissolving into a soft, shy chuckle and dropping his shirt to the floor.

Duck Newton: Duck smiled too, reaching up to undo the top few buttons. He blinked slowly as he stepped in. As an added effect, he shut the door, despite knowing they were the only ones there.

Ned Chicane: Ned rubbed his hand over his stomach and scratched at the hair of his chest, watching Duck fondly. “The hot water will relax you.” he was already feeling quite relaxed, eyeing him over like this. “And I have to apologize, it’s not a huge shower.”

Duck Newton: “Ned, you know I’ve showered here before.” He slid his shirt off his shoulders, and stepped forward to bury his face at the nape of Ned’s neck. He pressed a soft kiss there as he wrapped his arms around Ned’s waist. “You don’t need to make a big production for me tonight.”

Ned Chicane: “Mm.” Ned licked his lips and tilted back his head, “I’d like to, though, if it helps you relax.” has hands happily wandered, thumbing over Duck’s stomach.

Duck Newton: “I think I’d like, uh, the Real Ned Chicane tonight. If you don’t mind pulling it out and dusting it off. I know it’s been a while.”

Ned Chicane: Ned barked a laugh, “Rude.” he mumbled, pulling away enough to find Duck’s face and kiss him properly, “I’ll ask around, see if he’s in.”

Duck Newton: Duck smiled against Ned’s lips as he hooked a finger around his belt loops, tugging at them. “Come on, now.”

Ned Chicane: Already won over, Ned pushed his hips forward, letting Duck draw him in. “No need to be all bossy about it.”

Duck Newton: "I'm not being bossy. I'm just excited. Or, uh, relived." He tilted his chin to kiss Ned again, sighing softly into his mouth.
Ned Chicane: Ned hummed into the kiss, undoing his fly and pushing one of Duck's hands to the front of his boxers as he shoved the jeans down. "I hope I can just add to that relief."
Duck Newton: Duck nodded, pressing his hand further against Ned. "You always do." He stepped back after a while to push his own pants down, stripping completely before pressing a soft, teasing kiss to Ned's cheek as he walked past him to step into the shower.
Ned Chicane: The pressure against his cock had Ned groaning properly, blinking slowly at Duck as he pulled away and stripping himself down to follow in, stepping against the door as it closed to let Duck wet himself down first.
Duck Newton: Duck stood under the water for a second, a soft sigh escaping his lips as he warmed up. Finally, he peaked back out at Ned, smiling. "You comin?"
Ned Chicane: "Am I not allowed to leave your side?" Ned stepped under the stream, rinsing himself down and watching Duck unabashed. "I miss you when you aren't here."
Duck Newton: Duck leaned against the wall, his hand between his legs and rubbing slow, soft circles against his clit. "I miss you when I ain't here, too."
Ned Chicane: Oh, god. Ned was... slightly more abashed at Duck's confident show. He froze up for two seconds, then stepped closer, leaning down to suck at Duck's nipple, thumbing over the other, "For one thing, the view is much better."
Duck Newton: Duck tipped his head back against the shower wall, humming softly. "Oh, fuck. I- Ned I don't even know how to respond to that."
Ned Chicane: "Just keep going." he suggested, voice soft. Ned reached down and started to stroke himself. They were going slow enough he could almost pretend he was getting it up at a typical pace. As much as he knew Duck didn't mind and wouldn't tease more than he needed, it felt good to progress appropriately. "I want to watch you."
Duck Newton: Duck sped up his hand only slightly, and a change in angle causing him to moan softly. "Ned please don't stop talking."
Ned Chicane: Ned laughed, standing up to pull off Duck's chest and kiss him properly between words, "I'd like if you came here, in the shower." his teeth dragged on Duck's lip, "So you're already wet and lose and ready for me in bed."
Duck Newton: Duck relaxed, panting softly against Ned's lips. "Aw, fuck," he whispered. "Will you do it?"
Ned Chicane: "Do what?" Ned migrated up to nibble softly on Duck's ear, wincing when a droplet sprayed off Duck's hair into his eye.
Duck Newton: "Make me come. Please?" He reached out blindly to grip Ned's wrist, pulling his hand closer."
Ned Chicane: Oh! Ned let Duck pull the hand off himself, twitching at the loss but getting himself to work, pushing between Duck's thighs to work his fingers up inside, "God, Duck, you're so wet."
Duck Newton: Duck relaxed, deciding to resort to humming softly as he felt Ned fill him up. He slowly moved his hips to urge Ned along, placing his hands on Ned's shoulders.
Ned Chicane: "I think I've loosened you up." Ned teased, pushing a second finger in already and dragging them down his walls. "It's so easy to get into you, do you need it as bad as I do?"
Duck Newton: Duck nodded, leaning forward to kiss Ned, moving his lips slowly. With his hand, he reached down to stroke Ned slowly.
Ned Chicane: Ned started a little, "I'm- hey." a strange shoot of embarrassment, "I want you to come before we worry about that." he was about half hard, twitching up at Duck's touch.
Duck Newton: Duck swallowed, suddenly pulled away from the trance Ned had over him. "Oh, uh, I guess I'm just used to equal treatment, huh?"
Ned Chicane: "Oh, Duck," Ned froze, looking up nervously, "Sorry? I'm... it only needs a second." Ned didn't often get outwardly embarrassed. He was practically beet red.
Duck Newton: Duck smiled, leaning in to press soft kisses to Ned's neck. "You don't need to be embarrassed."
Ned Chicane: Ned chuckled, trying to keep his smile from growing obviously wide. "I swear, I'm having a good time." he got his hand back to work slowly, thumb rocking back and forth over his clit.
Duck Newton: "I know you are, baby." Duck sighed as Ned continued to touch him.
Ned Chicane: "You can touch me, if you want. I just want to wait until we're in bed to come." Ned nuzzled into Duck's neck, sucking softly. He was tired of humiliating himself and figured he'd better shut up and get to work.
Duck Newton: "Let's get out, yeah? I'm kinda over it." He pushed himself off the wall gently and blindly reached behind him to turn the water off.
Ned Chicane: Ned nodded, pulling away and freezing with his hand up when the water shut off. Instead of turning it back on to rinse the slick away, he popped a finger into his mouth and opened the door to the shower, grabbing them each a towel and winding himself tight.
Duck Newton: Duck dried off quick, but looked stuck once he realized he hadn't thought this through far enough. "I, uh, might need to borrow, like, a shirt or something."
Ned Chicane: "Dysphoria or propriety?" Ned rubbed himself down and hung his towel back up, heading into the bedroom, "Because if it's just propriety... I think we shouldn't worry about that."
Duck Newton: "That's a good point." Duck hummed, trying to towel off as much water from his hair as possible.
Ned Chicane: Ned laughed and pulled a hand down his length, proud to see it bob back up to full height, finally. He crawled up into the bed, watching Duck come from where he sat.
Duck Newton: Duck stood at the door, watching Ned move as he stepped forward. Once he reached the bed, he leaned down to kiss Ned slowly, his hand resting at Ned's hip.
Ned Chicane: Ned hummed and tilted his head up to meet the kiss, trying not to smile too much. "Hey." a half-laugh, "What do you need tonight, Duck?"
Duck Newton: Duck flushed up, embarrassed in front of Ned for the first time in forever. He lowered himself on the bed, still face to face with the other, and thought hard. "I, uh. Just- um. I dunno, Ned..."
Ned Chicane: "Are we at an impasse?" his hand danced over Duck's thigh, "Because all I want, Duck, is to help you relax." he paused for a beat, "Well, and come. I'd like to come."
Duck Newton: Duck laughed, leaning closer. "I need, uh. Well, I like what you did in the shower. With the talking. And I want, uh," Duck laughed, his face red with the effects of being put on the spot. "I just want to go slow, Ned."
Ned Chicane: Ned nodded along, pushing his nose into the dip of Duck's neck, "I can do slow, Duck, that sounds just fine." he nibbled softly along as he went, "How about you lay down, okay?"
Duck Newton: Duck nodded and let out a small noise. He practically climbed over Ned and laid on his back, reaching up to trail a finger across Ned's back in a lazy pattern.
Ned Chicane: With a soft hum, Ned crawled over, pushing Duck's legs apart and kneeling between them, "Idon't think I want to fuck you tonight." he sighed, "Is that fine? Just hands, Duck?"
Duck Newton: "Yeah, as long as 'just hands' means your mouth too." He smiled, leaning forward to run his fingers through Ned's hair.
Ned Chicane: Ned chuckled in surprise but nodded, sliding a finger into Duck without any preamble, "How are you going to hear me talk to you, then?"
Duck Newton: Duck hummed softly, lulling his head back. "I'll just use my imagination. You're just-" He lifted his head, a serious look in his eyes, "Ned, you're just so fuckin' good at eating me out."
Ned Chicane: "Ah!" Ned felt a little nervous, put on the spot, "I- thank you! I'll admit, it's not my, ah, my home court." He caught himself slipping into persona and cut himself off, focusing back on his slowly-fucking finger.
Duck Newton: Duck smiled, nodding. "You just talk so much that it carries over, y'know? So, uh, please?"
Ned Chicane: Ned chuckled, "I appreciate the manners." he slid his finger back out and cleaned it off in his mouth, then crawled back onto his stomach, propping himself up on his elbows to smile at Duck before leaning in, licking a stripe across his inner thigh, "You'll tell me if the beard starts itching." he stalled, teasing.
Duck Newton: Duck whimpered softly, letting his head fall back on the pillow. "Oh, I like the beard, though."
Ned Chicane: "You say that now, but when you're walking funny and whining about beard burn, it's my fault." Ned slid his tongue over Duck's clitoral hood, though it was difficult to avoid his dick when it was hard like this.
Duck Newton: "Fair. That's- oh shit..." He gripped Ned's hair tighter, moaning softly. "Fuck, Ned."
Ned Chicane: Suppressing a chuckle, Ned followed the same pattern back and forth a few times, varying speeds as he battled between control and excitement.
Duck Newton: Duck stayed quiet for a bit, moaning softly as he rolled his hips slightly to meet Ned's tongue.
Ned Chicane: It wasn't long before Ned's finger found a place, sliding back into Duck and crooking up, seeking a response as he probed along Duck's walls.
Duck Newton: Duck arched his back, surprised at the sudden intrusion. "Ned, I- Fuck, I don't wanna come yet."
Ned Chicane: Ned pulled his mouth away, a little startled, his finger stilling. "Is that a possibility already?" he didn't fight back this laugh, "Duck, your'e losing stamina."
Duck Newton: "Fuck off, I got worked up in the shower. Get up here and talk to me."
Ned Chicane: "I thought you wanted me here!" Ned followed as he was told, though, pushing himself up and crawling up to lay parallel to Duck, offering him the slick finger.
Duck Newton: "I did want you there, but now I want you here with me." Duck parted his lips, urging Ned on.
Ned Chicane: Ned smiled as he pushed the finger into Duck's mouth, rubbing softly down his tongue, "You look lovely." his voice was soft. "Relaxed."
Duck Newton: Duck hummed around Ned's finger as he swirled his tongue around it. When it was finally withdrawn from his mouth, he leaned up to graze his lips against Ned's, whispering, "Wanna taste?"
Ned Chicane: The voice send an honest to god shiver down Ned's spine. He answered back the kiss with a moan, tracing the wet finger down Duck's chest as he deepened the kiss.
Duck Newton: Duck shivered, sighing against Ned's lips as he tasted himself on Ned's tongue. He reached forward to run a finger along Ned's cock before taking it in his hand.
Ned Chicane: Ned coughed softly in his throat, hips canting to meet Duck's hand. "Fuck, Duck..." god, that was perfect.
Duck Newton: Duck smiled, ducking his head to suck a mark into Ned's neck. "Good, hm? I, uh, kinda wish you didn't say just hands tonight now."
Ned Chicane: "Oh?" Ned let out a shaky sigh. "I could... be convinced." he thumbed over Duck's nipple, a callous catching on the edge of the scar.
Duck Newton: Duck sighed softly, moving his hips closer to Ned's at an awkward angle. "As long as you're still talkin' I don't mind if we break the rules a little."
Ned Chicane: Ned worked to help, shifting his position until his cock slid along Duck's thigh. "This isn't gonna work like this, who's getting up?"
Duck Newton: Duck smiled, looking up at Ned expectantly. "Oh please, you've been so caring for me since I walked in."
Ned Chicane: "You're killing my damn hips." Ned mumbled, but pushed himself up, making a show of stretching his arms over his head. "Alright, spread, please." he clambered back between Duck's legs, taking himself in hand and tracing a line over Duck's thigh.
Duck Newton: Duck spread his legs, tilting his hips up impatiently. "Mmph, Ned, stop teasing..."
Ned Chicane: That was what Ned liked to hear. He shuffled further forward and hooked one hand on Duck's hip, tugging him a little closer as he pushed in.
Duck Newton: Duck sighed, his head rocking back s he was filled. "Ned, uh, do the talking thing again."
Ned Chicane: "What do you want to hear?" Ned started to rock his hips, a little further each time, "How pretty you look? How good you feel?" he grunted, speeding up a fraction. "Do you want me to tease you again?"
Duck Newton: "God, anything just make it sound nice." He moaned with each thrust.
Ned Chicane: Ned chuckled softly, "You really really need it, huh?" it was beginning to make a noise of its own, wet and slapping. "Just needed me inside you. It's been a long week."
Duck Newton: Duck nodded, reaching up to rest his hands on Ned's arms. "Yeah, I wanted this so bad."
Ned Chicane: "Were you thinking about it on the ride over?" he licked his lips, "the cigarettes, Duck, I have to wonder..." a cocky grin. "You like having something in your mouth."
Duck Newton: Duck smiled, nodding slightly. "Ned, you've known me, like, forever. You know I do."
Ned Chicane: "I think about you." he confirmed, one hand sliding down, feeling around until his thumb brushed Duck's dick between strokes. "It's overwhelming, sometimes, I'm prone to... fantasizing at work."