lugo-a-go-go

[lugo-a-go-go]

[text] R u gonna teach me? 😘

[text] bring ur camera and clean clothes. We’re going 4 a drive!

@not-yet-finished

[text] Want 2 go stargaze 2nite? I hear Uranus will be viable to the naked eye. 🍑🍑🍑 (Lugo)

[text] WHAT did you….?[text] How drunk are you?[text] Is that the best pickup line you have?

@lugo-a-go-go

[lugo-a-go-go]

DURGO —> Duro + Lugo 

This started as a joke. No, really. It did. Some playful teases, random character mentions and before we knew it … it became a full fledged SHIP! And, I STIP IT HARD!! The two muns who write for these muses are two of my besties and beyond flawless. I could honestly go on and on about them but I’m PRETTY sure they know how I feel about ‘em! So I am going to focus on the ship here! I don’t think ANYONE else could make Duro or Lugo work, or write either muse as FLAWLESSLY as these two do! They truly encompass ALL the essences of the characters and its just AMAZING! I could not have asked for a better bro or bro in law ( ;) ) for Aggie! Their talented writings, deep character analyses, and amazing selves made this ship set sail!!! Aggie may not think that anyone is good enough for his bro but Lugo is the closest as they’ll come! I am thoroughly  enjoying the shenanigans  between these two! I ADORE the characters, and ADORE the muns all the more! THANK YOU GUYS for all the entertaining posts and hilarious scenarios!! Have a small token of my love: above are quotes from your guys’ role plays! I hope you like it and much gratitude for being SO AMAZING and SUCH a MASSIVE inspiration to me! I am SO BLESSED to have you in my Sparty fam!! 

Follow these AMAZING characters:

@lugo-a-go-go & @not-yet-finished

[lugo-a-go-go]

Hazel eyes narrowed as his own smile brightened. The boy’s grin was irresistible and he lurched forward in order to capture it, a strong hand snaking around the back of Duro’s neck and coaxing him closer. Duro’s mouth was sweet and still tasted of the alcohol they’d had the evening before. Eventually he ran out of air and broke just enough to move his lips to the shell of Duro’s ear, his deep voice vibrating. “You would be too if you could see how fucking sexy you are right now...”

Calloused fingertips that had been playing within the short wisps of hair at the nape of Duro’s neck traveled across the bare skin of his back, dipping into the small and eventually reached that same spot he had poked earlier. Applying a gentle pressure he brought their groins together while issuing a satisfied groan from deep within his throat. “I’m happy you stayed,” he murmured in between heated kisses along Duro’s jawline.

@not-yet-finished

"I thought you'd be gone by the time I woke up..." (Lugo-a-go-go)

Duro paused in his stretching, stilling where he sat on the edge of the bed, a thin sheet across his lap the only thing that covered him.

He glanced back over his shoulder at the older man, not quite meeting his gaze.

“Did you want me gone before you woke up?”

@lugo-a-go-go

[lugo-a-go-go]

(with Duro) 24, 20, 15, 2, 11

24.  What was the first thing that attracted you about your partner?

Frankly speaking, and I’d be lying if I said otherwise, his looks. He’s certainly not what I would have ever labeled as my ‘type’, but he’s got a pair of dark eyes that you could lose yourself in. Of course after getting to know him, more substantial attractions took place but he definitely had my attention the moment I first saw him.

20.  Was there anything you worried about the first time you were about to have sex with your partner?

Better question would be was there anything I was NOT worried about? I’d had flings with guys before but all my serious relationships were with women. I had no idea what I was doing. All I knew at that time was I wanted Duro to stick around so of course I was worried about all the things I could or couldn’t do that might fuck things up. I feel guilty saying this but I was also worried Duro would spend the night with me and disappear. 

15.  What is the one thing that your partner does that makes you crazy?

Again, what doesn’t he do? He waits until I’m too tired or sick to move before purposefully flaunting himself in front of me. He’ll playfully hop into the shower with me, toy with me and leave me hanging as if nothing happened at all. The boy is a tease through and through, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

2.  If they don’t say so, how do you know that your partner wants to make love?

When he’s pinned me down? No, but seriously, there are some subtle cues. The most noticable is the way his pupils dilate when he looks at me... or rather my mouth. I can tell he’s imagining things. And of course that’s another one of those things he does that drives me crazy so he’ll never be denied.

11.  Who do you believe is the dominant one in your relationship? Why?

Ha! In the bedroom, I do the penetrating, but when it comes to leadership in the relationship, I think that hat gets shared. I don’t believe either of us has reservations about leading or following and dominance can change from day to day or even hour to hour. I think we’re quite fortunate in that way. 

[lugo-a-go-go]

The joyless laughter coupled with Duro’s exhasperating body language queued up feelings and emotions Lugo had long since buried. His hazel eyes never left Duro’s figure yet in his place was a vision of long blonde hair and nearly black eyes. A petite figure with the same mirthless chuckle that couldn’t believe Lugo had the audacity to ask her for forever.

It was strange the way heartache was a real and tangible pain yet there was nothing actually wrong. He pushed a smile forward and laughed along. Seriously, what was he thinking? Shrugging his shoulders it was clear he was attempting everything possible to let this situation roll away at least until he was at a place of privacy. “You’re right,” He mused lightly, waving his hand as if bidding Duro to forget it. “That was a stupid thing to say... Let’s just eat yeah?” Settling at the table he kicked out the other chair — Duro’s chair, in a casual, wordless invite to sit. He filled his mouth with breakfast. At least then he couldn’t fuck things up even further.

@not-yet-finished

lugo-a-go-go

“Hmm?” Lugo hummed in response, helping himself to the pancakes Duro forfeited. “The photoshoot for that British model? I told you he looked like a creep.” It was Duro’s silent response that caused Lugo to lift his eyes in question. Sudden realization and a sharp stab of guilt had him nearly drop his plate. Oh, he meant that job. Lugos own heartbeat echoed loudly between his ears, a sinking feeling pitting in his stomach. But this is what he wanted wasn’t it? To know Duro wasn’t putting himself into dangerous situations that he might not come out of? Yet hearing Duro’s meek voice sounding… well, miserable was not was he was expecting. Had Lugo been too selfish? He was after all asking Duro to give up something he really enjoyed, something that was a part of who he was.

“Why?” He started in a sheepish voice as he took a couple awkward steps towards the other. “It was never my intention to make you unhappy, Pup…”His expression looked like that of a lost child. After all the discussions, the yelling, and the fighting about this very issue, he couldn’t very well tell Duro he changed his mind. Not only that, it wouldn’t be the truth. Lugo DID want him to stay. He DID want Duro to be kept safe but at the same time, was it really worth sacrificing Duro’s happiness? He supposed some part of him entertained the idea of Duro willingly and unhesitantly choosing him over his job, but now it felt like the decision might have been forced.

“If you turned it down because of what I said, then you need to call them back, apologize and get on a plane”.

@not-yet-finished

It was a strange thing, watching the realization dawn on Lugo’s face. Strange seeing the emotions race across his features, the furrowing of his brows, their sudden upward movement, the way he went suddenly still, plate teetering dangerously in his hand.

Strange, because Duro had expected a different reaction. A little more joy, a lot less pain. But instead there was…confusion. Hurt.

Guilt?

Duro didn’t have a lot of time to try to make sense of what he was seeing. Lugo was moving toward him, questioning him, looking so lost, and Duro was still trying to sort out the knotted thoughts and feelings in his own mind and…

He laughed. The sharp, sudden laughter of a man who had no better response than this. Not hysteric, not bitter, but also very clearly not a sound of amusement. It was a laugh of total disbelief, brought to life when one could not wrap their mind around their situation.

“Seriously?” Duro set his plate on the nearest counter, food untouched, “After everything you’ve said about this, after how hard you fought me on this, that’s what you say to me?” Laughter bubbled from his lips again, and Duro leaned back against the wall, hands rubbing at his face as he tried to gather himself. “You didn’t even want me to take the fucking job! And now you want me to beg for it back!?” Another small burst of laughter escaped him as his hands fell from his face, his eyes moving back to Lugo.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but I’ve never thrown something I wanted away just because someone got pissy with me.” 

@lugo-a-go-go

[lugo-a-go-go]

“Hmm?” Lugo hummed in response, helping himself to the pancakes Duro forfeited. “The photoshoot for that British model? I told you he looked like a creep.” It was Duro’s silent response that caused Lugo to lift his eyes in question. Sudden realization and a sharp stab of guilt had him nearly drop his plate. Oh, he meant that job. Lugos own heartbeat echoed loudly between his ears, a sinking feeling pitting in his stomach. But this is what he wanted wasn’t it? To know Duro wasn’t putting himself into dangerous situations that he might not come out of? Yet hearing Duro’s meek voice sounding... well, miserable was not was he was expecting. Had Lugo been too selfish? He was after all asking Duro to give up something he really enjoyed, something that was a part of who he was.

“Why?” He started in a sheepish voice as he took a couple awkward steps towards the other. “It was never my intention to make you unhappy, Pup...” His expression looked like that of a lost child. After all the discussions, the yelling, and the fighting about this very issue, he couldn’t very well tell Duro he changed his mind. Not only that, it wouldn’t be the truth. Lugo DID want him to stay. He DID want Duro to be kept safe but at the same time, was it really worth sacrificing Duro’s happiness? He supposed some part of him entertained the idea of Duro willingly and unhesitantly choosing him over his job, but now it felt like the decision might have been forced. 

“If you turned it down because of what I said, then you need to call them back, apologize and get on a plane”. 

@not-yet-finished

lugo-a-go-go

The stove clicked a few times before finally roaring to life, the flames licking at the bottom of a large frying pan. Surprisingly enough, even though he had been an old bachelor for years, Lugo was a decently skilled cook. Breakfast was his favorite and it was his favorite because it was Duro’s favorite. He loved setting a full plate before him and watching the sleepy, groggy boy perk up with the scent of bacon and maple syrup.

These were the kind of memories that had been running through his head all night long. The everyday, mundane and unremarkable times he spent with Duro because to him it was never mundane and unremarkable. Being in that boy’s company felt good. It felt right. It felt like home…. even if Duro didn’t share that feeling.

The trilling jingle of a phone surprised him just as much as it did Duro and he peeked from the entryway to watch his pup disappear into the living room. Without really thinking, Lugo looked at the clock. ‘Who the hell is calling him this early?’ He thought. ‘No… Lugo, stop. Making up shitty scenarios in your head is a bad idea. Don’t be that person…’ He found himself cracking a smile. It was funny how his inner voice was sounding more and more like Duro as well. Maybe it was just another way Duro had stretched out his roots and embedded himself into every asset of Lugo’s life.

While he heard Duro talking in the next room, he couldn’t make out the words. Not that he wanted to eavesdrop anyway, but he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t exceptionally curious as to who was on the other end.

He was just throwing a few pieces of bacon onto a plate with tater tots and eggs over easy when he heard Duro say goodbye and hang up. He waited a moment to see if Duro would come around the corner on his own before setting the plate on the table and calling out, “Hey, come get some breakfast. You want one pancake or two?”

@untamed-german-pup

It seemed surreal, hearing Lugo call him for breakfast as if it were any other day. It was like last night had never happened, like their fight had never occurred. Duro almost thought he was dreaming.

“None,” he finally got his voice to work as he moved toward the table. This had to be the first time ever that he wasn’t racing for Lugo’s food. Instead he moved carefully, his mind still racing as he tried to decide what he wanted to say. How did he start? Can we talk? I’m sorry?

…I love you?

All the options seemed too…too direct.  Unfitting. Lugo was acting normal, and Duro decided that maybe, this time, chopping blunting into the situation was not the best plan.

He hesitated before sitting, feeling like he should be standing or waiting for Lugo or…just something. Finally he settled on picking the plate up, and moving to stand in the entry way that marked the division between kitchen and dining room, food in hand, so he could watch Lugo prepare his own plate. He poked at an egg with his fork.

“I’’m not taking the job��”

@lugo-a-go-go 

[lugo-a-go-go]

"Wait, you want me to meet your parents?" (not-yet-finished)

There was a sincere smile across his lips but one hand was touching the back of his neck, a gesture he often made when second-guessing himself. “I mean, I just thought it’d be nice to introduce you to them. Seeing as we’re living together and all,” Hazel eyes flickered over Duro, attempting to read his body language. He’d admit it was a spur of the moment suggestion and they hadn’t really talked about family introductions outside of the meddling twosome he called his brothers. It was just that Lugo had been thinking about how much Duro had become his center of gravity; his firm foundation and well… his family. It only seemed natural that family members knew other family members.

“Besides, I kind of want to show you off,” He added, knowing Duro was much more likely to go along with something when praised and yet the comment was sincere and truthful. 

@not-yet-finished

[lugo-a-go-go]

praise kink

Definitely Not | No | Not Really | Its Okay | Kinda | Yes | Fuck yes | There go my pants |Bonus: Giving | Receiving | Both

[lugo-a-go-go]

grain of truth (not-yet-finished)

-You would have never amounted to anything if I hadn’t helped train you.

-I’ve become a better man with you in my life.

-I’ve loved you since the moment I first saw you.

@not-yet-finished

[lugo-a-go-go]

hair pulling

Definitely Not | No | Not Really | Its Okay | Kinda | Yes | Fuck yes | There go my pants |Bonus: Giving | Receiving | Both

[lugo-a-go-go]

The last sound had barely escaped Duro’s mouth before Lugo’s lips were upon it. His tongue slipping through soft lips before Duro even had a chance to protest. At the same time Lugo’s fingertips expertly found all the places Duro was most sensitive and took advantage. He loved the feeling of Duro arching into his touch, craving more even though moments ago he had protested. He loved the look of ecstasy on his pup’s face when he threw his head back and closed his eyes. He loved the taste of Duro’s trembling skin as it ached with desire. 

When his lungs eventually ran out of air, Lugo pushed himself up and settled comfortably between the boy’s thighs. He made as if to maneuver himself but stopped short and instead reached over Duro’s head to snag a corner of the woolen blanket that lay there. “Would that we could proclaim heights to which we travel...” The old man’s eyes narrowed in mischief as he gently stuffed the corner into Duro’s mouth. “Perhaps upon a day...” Lugo aligned himself and in one slow push buried himself to the hilt within his boy, a deep satisfied groan rising in his throat.

@not-yet-finished

H (Lugo)

Muse A challenges Muse B to stay quiet so that their relatives/friends sleeping in the next room won’t hear them fucking.  

“Lugo this is not wise…” Duro gripped at his lover’s back, nails leaving thin lines against the skin there. A small gasp escaped him before he could stop it, courtesy of the lips travelling down his throat.

“Agron is close by,” Duro tried again, eyes shifting to the wall of their tent, knowing that his brother’s own tent lay just beyond, the ever growing number of rebels and dwellings forcing them all closer and closer together. Privacy was hard to find, and impossible to keep.

Teeth bit into tender flesh as Duro fought to keep himself quiet. His lip would be bruised before the night was over, that much he knew.

“Lugo…”

 @lugo-a-go-go

[lugo-a-go-go]

“Mmm?” Lugo had heard his pup’s concerns even though he did not share them. There was a time when they both agreed on discreteness, but as Duro wormed his way deeper and deeper into Lugo’s heart, the more the old man wanted the world to know the joy he found in his boy.

Lugos lips stopped shy of Duro’s, his nose pressed against the boy’s cheek. “You are of a mind for sleep?” His low voice rumbled, sending soft vibrations through Duro’s skin. His war-worn hand slipped between their bodies, grasping both of their cocks and bringing them together in a jolt of pleasure, all the while his mouth found occupancy under Duro’s jawline. The old man’s eyes had been closed, making his other senses work overtime but Duro’s expression was exquisite when he finally peeked. “Shall we take pause and retire?” He inquired knowing full well to stop now would leave them both wholly unsatisfied.

@not-yet-finished

H (Lugo)

Muse A challenges Muse B to stay quiet so that their relatives/friends sleeping in the next room won’t hear them fucking.  

“Lugo this is not wise…” Duro gripped at his lover’s back, nails leaving thin lines against the skin there. A small gasp escaped him before he could stop it, courtesy of the lips travelling down his throat.

“Agron is close by,” Duro tried again, eyes shifting to the wall of their tent, knowing that his brother’s own tent lay just beyond, the ever growing number of rebels and dwellings forcing them all closer and closer together. Privacy was hard to find, and impossible to keep.

Teeth bit into tender flesh as Duro fought to keep himself quiet. His lip would be bruised before the night was over, that much he knew.

“Lugo…”

 @lugo-a-go-go

[lugo-a-go-go]

It was the same argument night after night. Why the fuck weren’t they moving to recover what was lost to them? Agron was a red hot fiery mess in the way he paced and cussed and shouted and destroyed. His exasperated voice rising high over the others, asserting and locking horns with Spartacus who had asked for patience and clear heads before a second raid. Too much time had already passed and for once Agron and Lugo were both in agreement as to the next course of action.

Where Agron’s frustration exploded, Lugo’s was low key simmering and stewing. He was like a kettle slowly building steam before he’d eventually erupt. But for the time being he had been unassuming, a quietly controlled forest fire. He slept only when his brain forced him to and ate only enough to sustain himself, otherwise his waking moments were preoccupied. Split equally between the cruel visions his mind invented for him and the building rage that would need to be depressurized. 

Finally when the night was upon them and Spartacus had a clear cut plan, Lugo allowed his fury loose. He swung his normally heavy and clumsy war hammer as if weighed next to nothing, connecting it with skulls and kneecaps as he pressed forward into the villa. 

When the Romans finally fell Lugo took no time to celebrate with the others, instead he was tearing down doors and interrogating slaves.  Running around the villa in a frenzy, he felt like he was on the brink of insanity. Was Duro here or not? Was he still alive or not? Eventually a young house slave with a key emerged.

The room was dark. So dark and quiet, Lugo wasn’t sure if anyone was even inside. Taking a torch he pressed forward, almost startled when Agron came upon him from behind. “Pup...?” He spoke to a dark figure against the wall, his own voice sounding unfamiliar to him. The figure didn’t reply nor move and in a split second Lugo actually allowed himself to think that maybe Duro was in fact dead. The thought stole the breath from his lungs and glued him to the place where he stood. Suddenly Agron was pushing around him and taking a kneel beside the unknown lump. There were words coming from Agron’s mouth but the only thing Lugo could hear was a deafening ring of frozen grief. 

Lugo’s mind flashed images of memories before him. The first time Duro had said hello and offered a drink. He hadn’t known at that time the kind of changes Duro’s presence would make in his life but he was so thankful for that first step. He thought about the look of incredulousness and pride that came over Duro’s face when he finally bestest the Undefeated Gaul. Lugo had been so proud as well. His heart was so close to bursting from his chest swollen with ego. He thought about the first time they had kissed. It was something he’d been desiring for quite some time but he never pictured himself acting on it... but in that moment Duro’s lips needed nothing else than to be kissed. And oh, how they kissed back. He thought about their hours of training together, evenings spent talking of pasts and possible futures, nights entangled in each other’s arms... Had it all come to an end?

“--go!”

During the days when Duro was missing, Lugo wouldn’t allow himself to think of such thoughts. Duro was strong and was becoming stronger each and every day, but until now he hadn’t spared the time to think that Duro was also human and not immune to defeat.

“Lugo!”

He blinked and released a trail of salt water down his cheek.

“Lugo! He’s alive!”

Agron’s voice was like a bolt of lightning that struck him through the chest and exited from his fingers and toes. He lunged forward, coming to rest beside the bloody heap being gently held by his brother. Once again Lugo’s breath was sucked from his chest, only this time within a wave of utter relief. His pup was unconscious but sure enough, there was life within him yet. More tears emerged to mingle with the one that escaped, but he didn’t care if the world saw it. His heart had returned to him and that’s all that mattered. Carefully Lugo used his bear-paw-like hand to cup the cheek of his beloved, silently giving thanks to whatever god wanted to listen.

@untamed-german-pup

askbox roulette! (Lugo)

Me chained to a wall

Duro shifted weakly, his arms long since numb from being hung above his head, shackled in place against the cold stone wall. It hurt to move, it hurt to breathe, and he hardly had the energy to even keep his eyes open anymore.

It had been a raid gone wrong; a villa that was meant to offer food and weapons had turned into a blood bath. None of them had expect the attack, or had even known that any of Crassus’ men had been as close as they were. But they had swarmed down around them within minutes of the Rebels taking the villa, causing Spartacus to call for a retreat. 

Duro still wasn’t sure what had happened. One moment, he had been fighting beside Lugo, yelling to Agron and Nasir to watch the left as they all took the task of holding back the Roman’s so the others could fall back. Then suddenly they had been split apart, and Duro had found himself surrounded.

Now, he was locked up, for how long now he wasn’t sure, held prisoner as the Roman shits tried to pull any information they could out of him. His back was lashed to a bloody mess, and his legs and arms held the red, angry marks of hot steel. He’d been beaten black and blue, and starved. But he’d told them nothing. He would die before betraying the others.

Duro leaned his forehead against the wall, struggling to spit blood, brought on by the most recent beating, from his mouth. It took too much effort, and it ended up dribbling from his lip in a thin scarlet line. He closed his eyes. He needed to rest…

The sound of angry yells roused him, barely, from his half unconscious state. It took a moment for his ears to process what he was hearing, but he soon realized why the sounds from outside sounded so familiar.

Steel on steel, bellowing battle cries, the wild screams of horses; the Roman controlled villa was under attack.

The chains that held him rattled just slightly as Duro tired to move, tried to focus on what was happening. But he was too tired, too worn down, and he was slumped against the wall again before he knew it, shoulders burning from strain as his feet slid from under him.

When the door to his prison opened, Duro could not focus enough to tell if it was friend or foe who faced him. His vision swam, the sounds of battle began to grow distant, and his body finally decided it’d had enough.

Duro fell into unconsciousness, his body going limp in the chains that bound him.

@lugo-a-go-go

[lugo-a-go-go]

|| Soulmate Surprise ||

“Goddammit Manuel! Watch where you’re going!” Lugo bellowed as the small bobcat tractor nearly squashed him from behind. His underling issued a small apology before trucking back to work. 

Hazel eyes took in the scene before him. Riveted I-beams stretching up from a bed of thick concrete. Rebar twisted here and there. Spray painted markers scrawled out like mathematical graffiti. A typical construction site to most, but it was an engineering masterpiece laid out like a puzzle in Lugo’s mind. His eyes could see well beyond the bare innards of what would be the newest design of modern architecture. He could envision it from every angle and just by simply walking around the site he could visually tell if something was off. He supposed he was one of the lucky ones that had a talent he was able to incorporate into his career.

He paused in his journey, taking a peek over his shoulder to make sure the kid was still following behind. Lugo found him crouched in the dirt angling his camera for the perfect shot. Artists sure were an eclectic bunch. The photographer was tall although not very broad, but he was sturdy and sported piercings and dreadlocks. An interesting style to be sure, but he was polite and professional... and even a little easy on the eyes.

The familiar and persistent beep of the bobcat as it rolled backwards was headache inducing. Lugo would rather listen to jackhammers day and night if only he knew how to disable the damn noise. In an instant the short hairs at the back of his neck were standing at alert, an ominus sense of foreboding washing over him. 

The scene played out as if in slow motion. As if Lugo were merely an observer. The back end of the bobcat rocketed up the small but steep incline while the photographer was occupied with his viewfinder. This was going to end badly. And then it was as if his body were moving separately from his brain, his thoughts quite shocked that he was moving without their input at all. He couldn’t remember if he said anything first but he had collided with the boy far harder than he was intending, his arms encircling him as they both slammed into the ground, the backend the bobcat missing them by mere inches.

“Fuck,” He breathed, groaning as he shifted to move himself into a sitting position and check the other for injuries. “Are you hurt?” He asked hurriedly, dusting off the kid’s shoulders and lifting his jaw to check for head and facial injuries. As he did so, he caught sight of his own arm, the dark black mark he’d been born with now turning a plethora of colors. 

@untamed-german-pup

[lugo-a-go-go]

DURGO!!! <3

The crackship turned OTP! 

For my sweet and lovely, @chills-of-fire who plays my handsome @untamed-german-pup, DURO!!! <33333

[lugo-a-go-go]

(untamed-german-pup) “If I win, you get to be my prize.”

There was mischief in the old man’s eyes. “And if I win…” He started as he handed over the tickets to the carnival worker. Rough hands picked up two of the toy shotguns and tossed one to Duro. “…you get to be my prize.”

And thus the challenge was accepted.

@untamed-german-pup

[lugo-a-go-go]

@untamed-german-pup

He’d screwed up. Big time.

Lugo was hurting, as much as he tried to hide it. Duro knew him better than to not see it. There had been just a little too much space between them in the bathroom as they brushed their teeth. Lugo had shifted away almost too quickly to turn off the lamp after saying good night. And when Duro had positioned himself at the far end of the bed, worried of crowding the man who’d expected, and deserved, and actual answer from him, Lugo had not reached to him, or even shifted to do so.

Falling asleep was hard, but Duro’s body had beat his mind in that race, and he’d passed out before the guilt could eat him alive.

He woke up just before sunrise, when the world was beginning to lighten but no colors had appeared in the sky. He woke in the same position he had fallen asleep him. And he woke up alone.

Duro slowly rolled onto his back, looking to the other side of the bed as he slowly stretched his hand out. The sheets were cold. He inhaled slowly, trying to find the urge to sit up. They needed to talk about this, and about their earlier argument, but first, Duro had to decide what he was going to say.

He loves me…

Duro wasn’t quite sure why it was so hard to know if he felt the same.

Because it’s fucking terrifying.

He exhaled; the breath leaving him in the form of not quite a sigh. It was terrifying. It wasn’t like he didn’t know what love felt like, of course he knew. But that was what made it so frightening. To love someone was to give them a big piece of you, and hope they didn’t decide to break it.

Not hope. If you love them, you trust them. You hand off a piece of your fucking soul, and you trust that they won’t make you regret it.

Duro had never done that before. His brother was the only person in this world he’d ever trusted that much. The only one he’d ever claimed to love, the person who showed him what love was, what it meant. Love meant being willing to go to the ends of the earth for someone. Love meant being able to fall asleep and wake up next to some one over and over and never get tired of seeing their face. Love meant caring for someone so much that making them happy made you happy. And it meant that when they hurt, you hurt too.

The dull ache in his chest made Duro realize that he could definitely check that last part off the list.

It felt like ages before he finally sat up, shivering in nothing but his briefs as he sat at the edge of the bed, his eyes on the nightstand. He remembered picking it out, and the adventure that had been. How Lugo had sworn up and down he could make a better one, and how Duro had laughed at him later when he couldn’t even put the pre-made one together.

Come to think of it….Duro could remember picking out most of the things in the house… sure, they’d each had their own stuff from their own apartments, but over the months and, god had it really been a couple years already? they had started replacing mine with ours.

The glass shower door, installed after the damn curtain had nearly tried to kill Duro when he’d stepped on it in the shower. The couch downstairs, replaced after a particularly rambunctious night, and how that had led to them repainting the walls because “no Lugo I will not have bright blue walls with that couch.” There were pictures of it all, somewhere on Duro’s computer. Because Lugo laughing and the way the light had come through had been perfect, and his serious face when he was mapping out a project, the little crease between his eyebrows, had been too much to resist.

Fuck…

Duro stood up quickly, suddenly needing to move. Sweatpants were hurriedly yanked on, and he was out the door before he knew it. But he paused at the top of the stairs, phone in hand, as he heard the sounds of Lugo in the kitchen. Lugo was hurting, and Duro had caused it, and it suddenly struck him that he had done to Lugo the very thing he was so afraid of someone doing to him.

He crept down the stairs, almost afraid to be heard because oh shit he still didn’t know what he was going to say…

The ringing of his phone nearly scared him out of his skin.

He answered it quickly, knowing that Lugo heard him now, knowing he couldn’t hide, and with a deep breath finished the journey down the stairs. But he turned away from the kitchen, going instead to the living room so he could pretend to have a least a little bit of privacy.

“Sorry to bother you so early,” and now Duro recognized the voice. It was that paper, the ones who had wanted to hire him, the one who had offered him to do a shoot in another war zone. The one he and Lugo had been arguing about. “I need to know if you’re on board or not. We need someone over there ASAP.”

“Yeah, no, I get it,” Duro put his hand on the back of the couch, thumb brushing against the worn fabric, “sounds like a great job. I’d love to…” He glanced back, unable to stop himself, and saw Lugo working in the kitchen. If he was listening, he wasn’t showing it, but at that point it didn’t matter.

When you love someone, you hurt when they hurt. Their happiness made you happy.

You’re really okay with running off and leaving me to worry about you?

No. No, he wasn’t.

“I’d love to,” Duro turned back, his gaze falling to the window, watching as the sky begin to fill with color, “but I can’t. I have another project here I already promised I’d work on. Sorry.”

The rest of the conversation was a blur. Oh we’re sorry to hear that and we’ll keep you in mind for next time, Duro didn’t really care. They said their goodbyes and Duro ended the call, his phone lowering from his ear slowly.

He took a breath.

He had his answer.

The stove clicked a few times before finally roaring to life, the flames licking at the bottom of a large frying pan. Surprisingly enough, even though he had been an old bachelor for years, Lugo was a decently skilled cook. Breakfast was his favorite and it was his favorite because it was Duro’s favorite. He loved setting a full plate before him and watching the sleepy, groggy boy perk up with the scent of bacon and maple syrup. 

These were the kind of memories that had been running through his head all night long. The everyday, mundane and unremarkable times he spent with Duro because to him it was never mundane and unremarkable. Being in that boy’s company felt good. It felt right. It felt like home.... even if Duro didn’t share that feeling.

The trilling jingle of a phone surprised him just as much as it did Duro and he peeked from the entryway to watch his pup disappear into the living room. Without really thinking, Lugo looked at the clock. ‘Who the hell is calling him this early?’ He thought. ‘No... Lugo, stop. Making up shitty scenarios in your head is a bad idea. Don’t be that person...’ He found himself cracking a smile. It was funny how his inner voice was sounding more and more like Duro as well. Maybe it was just another way Duro had stretched out his roots and embedded himself into every asset of Lugo’s life. 

While he heard Duro talking in the next room, he couldn’t make out the words. Not that he wanted to eavesdrop anyway, but he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t exceptionally curious as to who was on the other end.

He was just throwing a few pieces of bacon onto a plate with tater tots and eggs over easy when he heard Duro say goodbye and hang up. He waited a moment to see if Duro would come around the corner on his own before setting the plate on the table and calling out, “Hey, come get some breakfast. You want one pancake or two?”

@untamed-german-pup