A Particular Day in Autumn

"Not until you let me cuddle the sobs out of you," he said, slightly amused by Mars's childishness. "Whether you want more afterward or not is your choice."

Mars shook his head before he realized Priestly couldn't even see him.

"N-no..." He sniffled, hoping he would stop crying so Priestly couldn't use it as an excuse to cuddle him.

Priestly walked up behind him and placed a warm, comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Come on now, Marsy..."

Mars cringed away from his touch, for the first time in his life.

"N-no..."

Priestly scooped Mars up in his arms, cradling him close.

"You're quite the little enigma, aren't you?"

He flailed.

"L-let me go!" He insisted, beginning to sob even harder. "I-I don't wanna be a sinner like y-you..."

He kissed him on the forehead.

"Then we won't sin or even commit the greatest of goods--we'll merely share comfort in the most neutral manner possible."

He shook his head.

"L-l-leave me a-alone..." He insisted. He didn't want to be left alone, even, but he just felt like protesting it.

Priestly carried him to his bed, setting him down gently before trapping him in his arms.

He curled up, still crying.

"...I hate you sometimes." He mumbled.

"Oh, do explain, Marsy."

"Wh-why did you have to make my life so complicated..." He whimpered.

"Because we're soulmates," he purred. "Soulmates are always hard work."

"I-I refuse to b-believe that..." He said, a rather harsh edge to his words.

"Why?" he asked, amused. "I love you. I pray you could come to love me. What else matters, when two people are in love? Besides a healthy connection with God and a few other things."

"...I never said I loved you." He grumbled. "In fact, I h-hate you."

"I said you can grow to love me." He kissed Mars's ear.

"N-no." He insisted. "I'll always hate you."

"Hate fucking is fine too," he replied quietly. "We can do whatever you want, even if it's not pure--I'd do anything for you."

Mars wrinkled his nose in distaste.

"...you disgust me." He said, feeling quite disgusted indeed. "I...really do hate you. I really, really hate you."

He was quiet, but firm.

"I'd do anything to change that," he replied.

"No. It's just...everything about you is disgusting." He groaned. "...everything."

"Then I'll change everything~" he cooed. "I'd change anything for you, dear--anything--for you mean everything to me. I know that I'd go anywhere for your smile--anywhere--for your smile everywhere I'd see."

"No. Then I would hate you more." He insisted stubbornly, and stupidly.

"What will make you hate me less?" he asked.