Symbiote Boyfriend: Spite 6 (complete)

For the last couple of weeks, Eli has been away on a mission for the school. The apartment is pretty bare and lonely, even with Spite around, and I’ve missed having Eli to talk to. I didn’t realize how much I would miss him - I mean, I knew I would, but this feels different from what I expected.

Eli and I have become close, even if we had a rocky start when I moved in. Back then I was still getting used to Spite, and Eli was quite new to the world. He had been rescued from the lab of Project Chimera, owned by Dr. Hargreaves and his associates. Eli was their most successful subject, intended to become a specialized weapon against Hephaestus and the entire academy, but in fact he was quite docile but highly intelligent. Eli played the vicious hunter just to survive in the lab.

Eli also has a heightened libido, something he struggles with regularly. Thanks to Spite I have a rather strong one myself, so Eli and I were able to bond a little over that. We got closer as time went on, and now I would consider him my best friend.

“Is someone feeling sentimental this morning?” Spite whispers.

I sigh and roll over in bed as Spite spreads out across my back and shoulders. I’ve been taking some training courses at the school. The weightlifting I did yesterday has made me sore all over, so Spite has been massaging me.

“Maybe a little,” I sigh. 

Spite chuckles, expanding to take hold of my hand and pressing our palm against my chest. “You’ve been awfully pitiful since the pretty boy left.” His tongue flicks the back of my ear. “It’s almost cute.”

I turn, looking at Spite as his head hovers over me. “Can I tell you a secret?”

“I know all your secrets, Maxy.” Spite lowers, licking his long tongue across my lips while he continues to spread himself like melting butter over my whole body. “But you can still share.”

“Eli is my first, like, real friend outside of Jack,” I confess. Spite is taking his time as he merges with my skin. “I mean, I’ve had friends but this is… different. You know?”

“You know I don’t have any friends,” Spite cackles.

I smile and relax, feeling Spite come up to my neck. “He’s my best friend, and it feels empty without him here.” We take in a breath as Spite fits over me. Our hands stroke down our body, and Spite gives me an extra squeeze around the chest.

Spite moans as our fingers coil around the base of our cock. “I’ll admit, I have a fondness for the pretty boy too. And I don’t like seeing you so mopey.”

I grunt as Spite’s tendrils swirl around our cock. We pump it slowly, taking our luxurious time for once. “I’ve been trying to learn to cook, but his cooking is still the best.”

“I like his coffee,” Spite giggles. “He knows just how to make it for me.”

The door slams, and we sit up in a hurry. “Eli?” I call out. There’s no answer. I quickly throw on a pair of shorts as Spite turns into a hoodie. I go out into the living area, where I see Eli slouched on the sofa. His bag is tossed to the side and his shoes have been kicked off.

“Hey! I didn’t know you’d be home today!” I say excitedly. “How was the mission? Are you...”

I stop in my tracks when I see Eli is bent over and crying. He’s sobbing into his hands, balled up in such a way that he seems so small. I slowly sit down beside him and place my hand on his back. “Are you okay?” I ask gently.

Eli blubbers for a minute. He shakes his head, then quickly turns and wraps his arms around me, burying his face in my shoulder. I hold him, rubbing my arms up and down his back. “It’s okay,” I whisper. “Take your time.”

“What’s the matter, pretty boy?” Spite licks Eli’s tear-soaked cheek. “Did you lose your eyelash curler?”

Eli swats Spite’s cheek against my shoulder. “Idiot,” he huffs. Sitting erect, he wipes his face and rubs his eyes. “Tough mission, is all,” he sniffles. 

I furrow my brow. “What happened?”

“It wasn’t supposed to be anything.” Eli leans back against the sofa. “Just recon to make sure some intel was correct. We got ambushed when we got there, and we were captured.” He takes a shuddering breath and his expression shifts, darker than any I’ve seen on him before. “Dr. Hargreaves was there,” he says faintly. 

“Oh,” I say. I take Eli’s hand in mine. I don’t know what I can say at this moment to comfort him. I just hold his hand, gently squeezing while I watch my friend wrestling with the thought of the man who has hurt and controlled him for so long.

Eli looks up at me pitifully. I wrap him in my arms again, embracing him tightly while he melts. Spite coils himself around Eli, pressing against his back and resting his head in his hair.

“I’m so happy to see you,” Eli whimpers. He clings to the back of my shirt. “I didn’t think I’d feel safe again, but when I saw you... ” He chuckles softly. “When we were held captive, I kept thinking about being at home, what I‘d make you for dinner when I got back. What shit Spite had gotten into while I was away.” He sniffles and buries his face in my shoulder. “Some days that was all that kept me from losing my mind.”

“I’m so sorry.” I hug him tightly. “You should rest, I can make dinner tonight if you feel like eating. Or I can order takeout if you don’t want to take the risk.”

Eli laughs, sitting up and beaming at me. “Have you been practicing still?”

I nod shyly. “Some nights I was so bored, I would watch YouTube tutorials and try to cook from them.”

Eli rests his forehead on my shoulder again. “Thanks for this. Just a little bit longer, then I’ll stop being a baby.” His hands rub up my back, and then he clutches my arms. “Max,” he murmurs.

“What?” I look down at him.

His eyes meet mine incredulously. “You’ve really been working out, haven’t you?”

“Wanna see?” Spite teases, peeling away from me so my chest and arms are exposed to Eli.

Eli smirks, his tongue caught between his teeth. “You were such a scrawny little stick when you first came here!” He runs his hands down my arms. “Now look at you!”

“You should see his ass!” Spite says in elation.

“Really?” Eli grins.

“No!” I scoff. “Spite, stop trying to tease me!”

Spite puts a tendril over my mouth. “It was always cute, but with all the training and the workouts he does, it’s a pretty juicy peach.”

Eli looks at me with a massive grin. “I’ve noticed his jeans fit much better.”

I pull Spite’s tendril away from my mouth. “Okay, you two! That’s enough.”

“I got him laughing, be grateful,” Spite hisses. He makes himself into a hoodie again, but this time it’s cropped.

Eli smiles apologetically at me. “It did help. Thanks, asshole.”

Spite salutes. “Any time, pretty boy.”

I scoff again and lay my hand over my now-exposed stomach. “Well, at least you’re smiling. Can’t get mad at the results.”

Eli sighs, relaxing a bit. “I’m glad to be home.”

“So what happened?” I ask. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Eli rests his head on my shoulder. “We got out, of course,” he sighs. “But I don’t want to talk about it now. I just want to be at home for a bit.” He curls into my side and his tail wraps around my waist. “I need my friend.”

I put my arm around his shoulder. “Yeah, that’s fine, Eli. We’ll do whatever you want.”

Eli smiles softly. “You’re warm. It feels nice.”

“You’re quite cuddly yourself,” I chuckle.

“Oh my god, just kiss and get it over with,” Spite scoffs.

We both turn and give Spite a harsh glare as he hovers over my shoulder. He returns a haughty look. “What?”.

Eli rolls his eyes, then rests his head on my chest again. “I should probably call Urata,” he murmurs. “It’s been a while, so...” He scowls.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“It’s silly.” He lays his palm on my bare stomach. “I just… I don’t know. I know what my body needs, but I don’t want to leave home tonight. I don’t want to leave you again.”

“I see.” My face feels hot, and the heat is starting to pool in my chest. “Well, then what should we...”

Eli sits up and away from me, although his tail stays curled around my waist. “I’m sorry. I worded that weird. I should just call Urata.”

As he tries to get up, Spite wraps himself around Eli’s wrist and keeps him on the sofa. “Stay, pretty boy,” he giggles. “Max isn’t against it, he’s just shy.”

Eli looks into my eyes, and a wave of embarrassment and joy washes over me. We both look aside at the same time, then back at one another with the same goofy  smiles. “You’re my best friend,” Eli whispers. “I don’t want to ruin that.”

“You’re mine too.” I take his hand in mine again. “I want to take care of you too, and make you smile.”

Eli moves in close. “Maybe we could just fool around a little? And if anything feels weird, we can just stop.”

I nod in agreement. “Yeah, we can just go slow. You know?” I laugh nervously. I place one hand on Eli’s waist, and the other on his cheek as he grows even closer.

“I’m going to kiss you,” Eli says suddenly. “Is that okay?”

I nod and close my eyes. Eli’s lips press against mine, and lightning shoots down my spine. His clawed hands paw up my chest and his lips part, letting my tongue inside his mouth.

Spite giggles into my ear as he tightens around my arms. “Where the fuck is our phone?” he hisses.

Eli breaks away first, his lips glossy from the kiss and his eyes dilated like a cat’s. I nod silently as I sit up. “That was my first kiss,” I confess.

Eli furrows his brow. “What?”

“Yeah.” I rub the back of my head sheepishly. “I mean… it’s hard to explain. Everything with Spite - it’s us as one. It’s not like I’m with someone else. It’s not like a separate entity is there. It’s… I’m still kind of a virgin,” I grumble.

Eli kisses me again, this time tenderly. I touch his cheek as he places himself in my lap. He straddles my thighs as the kiss grows. He kisses my cheek, then my ear. He combs his sharp fingers through my hair and down the back of my neck.

“I need that phone!” Spite demands.

I catch my breath as our lips part. Eli smiles warmly at me and cups my cheeks between his palms. “Is it okay if I try something?”

I gulp and nod. “I trust you.” My voice quivers with nerves. 

Eli lays me back on the sofa. “Okay, but I have a favor I want in return.”

“Sure. What?” I ask breathlessly.

“Make me dinner.”

Eli, with some help from Spite, takes off my shorts. He tosses them aside, then kneels between my thighs. Spite curls around my legs and lower back, squeezing and lifting my legs into the air for me. Eli kisses my chest, his black tongue flicking over my nipples before he descends. His soft lips graze my belly while his fingers stroke down my inner thigh. I whimper in pleasure, squeezing my eyes shut.

“My, my,” Eli purrs. “You’re certainly a grower.” His fingers curl around my shaft. “Your cock is very nice, Max.”

I whimper, cracking open an eye to look down at him. His black tongue swirls around the tip of my cock before he laps down the side.

Spite titters excitedly. “Be careful, he has a rather powerful shot.”

Eli smirks, sucking the tip. He moans as he moves down further. My cock vanishes between his lips, and I lose my breath. His mouth is soft, slick and warm and the vibrations of his moans trail up my spine. 

I run my fingers through his hair as I cup the back of his head. He looks up at me, eyes filled with pleasure and warmth. I move my hips, thrusting down his throat. He nods, pressing his palms against my thighs as I keep moving. Spite wheezes with excitement, tightening more around my ass.

The sudden spike of heat causes my back to arch off the sofa. Eli moans happily, taking every drop I spill down his throat and onto his tongue. I flop back, gasping for breath as I watch Eli continue to bob his head between my thighs. Then he lifts his head, tongue curled around the tip, looking smug and satisfied. He licks his lips and lays himself on my chest, snuggling up against my naked body. “How was it?” he giggles. 

I nod, completely breathless and wordless. 

Eli kisses me. “I don’t get to do that with Urata, you know,” he giggles. “It felt so good when you started moving.” He rolls his cock against my thigh. “So warm and hard.”

“You’re really good,” I pant. I reach down, taking his cock into my palm. “Eli… Let me touch you, too.”

“I’ll come!” Eli whines. “Max...”

“Kiss me,” I moan. He lifts his head, and I part my lips for him. His tongue presses against mine, and he moans back. He continues to grind against my thigh, pressing into my palm. His rakes at my chest, whining until he orgasms, and his come smears my palm and spurts along my leg and groin. He lies limp on top of me and starts to giggle.

“He tickles.” Eli rolls onto his side so we can see Spite lapping up his semen. Eli smiles up shyly at me. “Is it still okay?”

I nod. “I’ve not felt this good in a long time. I mean, I love everything Spite and I share, but this was… It’s hard to compare. They’re not the same.”

Eli kisses my cheek. “I’m glad he shared you with me. Maybe we can do it again after dinner. You know? Fool around a little?”

Spite snakes his way up my body. “I’ll have the phone ready so I can relive it whenever I want.” He kisses Eli’s cheek. “Anyone who makes Max even sexier is good in my book.”

Eli rests his head on my chest. “Will you join us?”

Spite giggles. “Maybe, but only once Max pops his cherry.”

I mash Spite against the back of the couch. “Anyway, what did you want for dinner?”

“What have you been practicing?” Eli asks.

I sit up, and Spite becomes a hoodie again. “How about I make it a surprise?”

Eli rises and helps me to stand up, although my legs are still like jelly. “That’s fine with me.” He kisses me again, soft and loving. “Let’s take a shower before you start to cook.”

He leads me to the bathroom, and both of us step into the shower. “Spite was right.” Eli gropes my ass playfully. “Look at this peach.” He uses both hands to play with me.

“Hey!” I pout. “I’m a human being.”

Eli kisses my shoulder. “A very cute one.” His hands continue to squeeze my ass. “Sorry! It feels nice.”

I turn around and push him against the wall. His eyes light up, and his smile becomes excited. “I like that!”

I smirk and kiss him, pressing close to his bare chest. How long have I wanted to do this? How long have I needed it? As much as I love Spite and being with him, this feeling of being touched and held by someone who is seperate from me is so fulfilling, especially since it’s Eli.

“Silly virgin,” Eli teases.

I bite his ear, and he moans. “If we keep this up I’m not going to be able to stand up to make dinner.”

“He has a lot of porn videos that take place in the kitchen. It’s a trap, I say!” Spite cackles.

Eli sticks his tongue out at him.

“Stepbrothers fooling around while their parents’ backs are turned, that sort of thing,” Spite continues.

I kiss Eli again. “Should we fool around in the kitchen, too?”

Eli presses his finger between our lips. “Once you make me dinner. You promised.”

“I know,” I chuckle. “This just feels so good. I can’t stop myself.”

“Me too,” Eli says. He brushes his fingers over my cheek and sighs. “I feel safe with you. I don’t have to put on any sort of show.”

“What about Urata?” I ask out of concern.

“Him too, but he’s not my best friend.” Eli smiles at me. “It’s different. You know? Like with you and Spite.”

“I get it.” I kiss his cheek. “Let’s shower and I’ll start dinner once I dry off.”

“Skip food,” Spite teases. “Didn’t Max already give you a meal?” He tongue darts over Eli’s cheek. 

“I mean...” Eli starts to laugh.

“I have plans, Spite,” I scold.

“Just trying to have fun, is all.” Spite stretches down my back. “I’m excited, the same as you.”

After we shower, we get dressed and I go to the kitchen to start dinner. To maintain the surprise, Eli goes to his room to unpack and do a few chores. 

“Is this weird?” I ask Spite as I chop up some veggies. “I mean, are you really okay with me and Eli like this?”

Spite nuzzles my cheek. “I like whatever you like,” he replies. “Feeling you come in his mouth was electric. The way your hips moved was the sexiest thing I had ever witnessed.” He kisses me, slipping his tongue down my throat.

“Are you sure?” I moan.

“Yes,” he huffs. “I think this will be good for you. For us even.”

“I just want to make sure,” I whisper to him. “I love you and I wouldn’t want to do anything that could hurt us.”

“That’s sweet.” Spite squeezes around me. “We are perfect unity, perfectly in sync. We have both wanted this, and it’s about time we had it.”

“I need you,” I agree. “But I think I also need Eli.”

“We do,” Spite whispers. “He’s our family.”

After I’ve made dinner I call Eli to the dining room. He struts out in a tight t-shirt and sweatpants. I don’t know if it’s me or the hormones flying between us, but the casual attire is surprisingly sexy on him.

“Ramen?” Eli says with a smirk. “This is a surprise. I was expecting grilled cheese.” He sits down at the table and admires the bowl. I’ve plated it very nicely, for me at least - a hard-boiled egg with a soft yolk in the middle with green onions, chunks of pork, peppers, and mushrooms arranged around it. I watch excitedly as Eli takes the first bite.

“I made the broth myself,” I say nervously. “And I really love eggs, so I make them ahead of time.”

“It’s good!” Eli exclaims. He eats the egg whole. “Really good!”

I smile brightly. “Really?”

Eli’s expression makes my heart throb. “How long have you been trying to perfect this?”

“A while,” I admit. “I’ve been wanting to learn to cook so you didn’t always have to.”

“I like cooking for you. That’s why I do it.” His foot brushes up my leg under the table. “But it’ll be fun to take turns.”

I haven’t yet taken a bite from nervousness. I start to eat, and eventually the table goes silent. Spite steals bites from both our bowls and happily wiggles across the table.

“I was thinking,” Eli murmurs. “After dinner, why don’t we go into my room and watch a movie or something?”

“That sounds nice.” My face grows warm again.

Eli swallows a large bite and smiles at me. “I changed my sheets, so my bed is clean and cozy.”

“He wants to fuck,” Spite laughs in my ear. I sputter and nearly choke on my food.

Eli shrugs. “He’s not wrong. I’ll wash the dishes, since you cooked. You can go get comfortable.”

Eli clears the table and takes the empty bowls to the sink. Spite and I go into his bedroom, which looks perfectly clean and immaculate. His bed is made and the pillows are fluffed. His comforter is soft gray with mint-green stripes. I sit down on the edge of the bed to wait for him.

“That’s how you’re going to entice him?” Spite asks. “Sitting like a lump?” He moves me, making me lie back on the bed, pushes down my pants a little and then opens up along my chest. 

“This is ridiculous,” I huff in embarrassment.

Spite kisses my cheek. “You look hot. Shush.”

Eli comes into his room and leans in the doorway. He takes out his phone and snaps a picture. I sit up in a hurry. “Hey!”

Eli winks and smirks down at his phone. “That’s going in the spank bank.” He comes close and kisses me, laying me back down on his bed. “Thank you for dinner. I loved it.”

I return his kisses, rolling him over so I’m on top.

“What movie are we watching?” Spite teases.

Eli and I both laugh, and I move to allow Eli up. He turns on the TV, then selects an app. “I’m trying to catch up on The Ruby Empire, and I know you’re up to date.”

“Amit is hot!” Spite snickers.

Eli curls up in the nook of my arms, resting his head on my chest. “He is.” He strokes up and down my chest. “So who’s the fan, then? You or Max?”

“Both of us,” I agree. “But I got Spite to read the books when I wanted to sleep. When the show started we were both excited about it.”

Eli sighs, and his entire body relaxes. “This is nice,” he murmurs.

I kiss the top of his head. “It is.”

We watch a couple of episodes, but before I know it I’m starting to nod off. Eli’s warm body pressed against mine eases me to sleep so readily. Eli is asleep before I am. I know he’s exhausted from the mission and probably needed to sleep, so I’m happy to be there with him.

I wake up to Eli shifting. He turns off the TV, then lays a blanket over us. I hear Spite purring as Eli returns to bed. I lay on my side, pulling Eli’s back to my chest. His tail curls around my leg, and he sighs happily. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” he murmurs.

“It’s okay, I did too. Go back to sleep.”

Eli presses closer to me. “This feels wonderful, doesn’t it?”

I nod and nuzzle the nape of his neck. “You smell really good.”

“Can I tell you a secret?” Eli asks.

“Of course.”

Eli takes in a deep breath and clutches my hands to his chest. “Sometimes I have nightmares, and when I can’t sleep, I always want to come into your room. But I couldn’t…”

“You could have.”

He shakes his head. “No, I know. But I couldn’t make myself, because I didn’t know what that meant. I knew I needed you, and that scared me. I’ve never had that with someone before. Not even Urata.” He brings up my hand and kisses my palm. “You’re my best friend, but it’s more than that, Max. I have nothing in the world. No family, no connections. You’re like my family, and I don’t want to scare you away.”

I hold him tighter and even Spite wraps around him. “I feel the same way, Eli.”

“So mushy,” Spite chuckles. 

“Even you, you asshole.” Eli laughs. “Come here.” He pulls Spite around and places a kiss on him.

Spite’s tongue laps over his lips, and he sighs. “Yeah, I like you too, pretty boy.”

Eli rolls over. His eyes glow in the dark, as well as parts of his skin, like there’s lava flowing through him. I gently touch his face and smooth my thumb over his lips, then place my hand over his heart.

“Let’s be partners,” Eli suggests. “Like… at the academy. You know? A duo?”

“Be heroes together?” I ask.

Eli nods. “If you want. I know you want to focus on your art, but until the threat of Rabid is gone, I can protect you.”

“Okay,” I whisper. “I’ll protect you too.”

Eli kisses me, pulling me on top of him. Spite spreads over my body, dripping down to melt over Eli’s skin. 

“Is now okay?” Eli pants. 

I nod, kissing him again as Spite removes my pants. “I want you.”

Eli presses close. Spite has taken his pants off as well, and his tendrils wrap around our cocks as they grow hard. His shaft has ridges and bumps all over it, and the tip is forked. It feels strange but nice as it grinds up against mine. Spite keeps us bound together, his tendrils coiling as we move. 

“Max,” Eli whimpers. “What’s he doing?”

I look down, seeing Spite wrapping around Eli like a corset. “Making you look hot.”

Eli licks his lips. “He feels weird.” His eyes open wide. “Oh, my...”

“What?” I ask. I look down, seeing Spite’s tongue swirling around Eli’s ass. Eli’s eyes flutter and he throws himself back against the bed. 

“Is this what you have to deal with all the time?” Eli asks hoarsely.

"You get used to it." I take my phone and snap a picture. “For my spank bank.”

Eli pouts and stretches out his arms. “Come back here.”

I lie back on top of him, kissing his neck and biting his ears. He cries out, thrusting his hips as Spite teases him.

“You ready?” Spite whispers. “Because he is.”

I look down at Eli and suddenly grow very nervous. “Is it okay?”

Eli nods. “It’s okay. I’ll take care of you.” He sits up and makes me lie down, then straddles my hips and rubs his rear against me. Spite has coiled himself around both our thighs, looking like ripped tights on Eli. 

“I’m a little nervous too,” Eli confesses. He presses his palms against my body. “So let’s take this nice and slow.” He guides me into place, slowly easing himself over me. He’s tight and warm. I’ve never felt this sensation before - Spite is cool and more wet. I grab hold of his hips, and Spite slips over my hands. Our fingers dig into Eli’s thighs as he takes me.

“You’re not a virgin anymore,” Eli teases as he trembles. He rolls his hips, grinding me in place. I watch him ride me with grace, his beautiful slender body moving as if dancing. I touch him as much as possible. Spite and I cover every inch of his body with kisses, pets, and affection.

He squeezes around me, making me lose my breath. Spite gropes my rear, moving himself inside me. I cry out, arching my hips and thrusting deep inside Eli. He cries out loudly, coming at the sensation. His semen splashes over my stomach and chest, and he starts shivering like a leaf. “Don’t stop,” he moans. “Please!”

I feel Spite crawling up my neck, then covering my face. “You heard him,” he growls. “It’s our turn.”

Spite and I move Eli down onto the bed. We grasp his hips and slip back inside him. We take hold of his tail, grabbing it as the base as we thrust slowly inside him.

“Max… Spite!” Eli gasps. “Harder!”

“Easy, now,” we whisper. “Let us have our fun.”

Eli cries into the pillow. “You feel so good!”

“We’re both a virgin when it comes to this,” Spite teases. “You feel so good, Eli.”

We stroke our hands down his back and up his sides. We gently slap his rear, and Eli laughs excitedly. When we pull his tail, Eli wails in excitement. We thrust harder into him, pushing deeper, rattling the bed. Eli begs for more, harder, faster, and thanks to Spite, we’re able to give him just that. Our moans soon become one. We cry out, all of us, elated and entransed. The release is indescribable, and it consumes not just all of me, but all of Spite as well. He loosens around me as if his strength is receding. I am knocked breathless, and then I see Eli sprawled out beneath me, beautiful, glowing, and radiant.

I fall beside him, breathing hard while Spite becomes a puddle on my back. Eli’s soft laugh fills my senses, and I am soon pulled under into an inky dark sleep.

I hear laughter again as I start to wake. The room is bright and slightly blinding, so when I see Eli sitting above me I don’t fully take in what’s happening. I look up and see Spite above me. No, not Spite. Someone else.

“How do we look?” Eli asks, posing with Spite covering him. The two have become one. Spite and Eli together look sleek and polished, like a cat with much more severe angles. His mouth is sharper, more dangerous, but there is a sweetness to his eyes that draws me in.

“I like the tail,” Spite giggles.

I nod. “It’s… it’s hot.”

They kiss me, pushing me down onto the bed. “Spite thought you might like it.” Eli says as Spite moves away from his face. Spite forms a cropped hoodie on Eli as he comes to cuddle beside me.

“I do,” I chuckle. I touch my chest. “It feels… strange, without him.” It’s been so long since I’ve not had Spite with me. The last time was when Beast attacked, and I had to work with Timid. Back then I was fighting to save Spite, and I never wanted to be without him. Now, I know Spite is somewhere safe, with someone comfortable. It still makes me uneasy.

“Eli has agreed to babysit me,” Spite chuckles. “on days where you might need a break.” He wraps around my head like a cap.

I rub Eli and Spite’s back. “You sure? Your libido is worse than mine, and you see what he does with that.”

“I can cope. We’ll see about him,” Eli teases. “We just got to talking, and we agreed it might be a good thing for you to sometimes have a moment alone.”

“You two were talking?” I ask in surprise.

“It was nice,” Eli replies. “Spite was telling me about how lonely you were without me.”

“You’re my best friend. Of course I was lonely.” I rub his arm and sigh. “I’ve never really had that before. I was always kind of the lonely weird kid.”

Eli goes quiet and nods his head. “After I was rescued from the lab, I thought the only way I could keep people around me was if I kept doing things for them. But when you came along, you stayed, even after you found out what I was. I kept doing things for you, but you always returned them in one way or another. You and Urata are different from the others.”

Spite rises off of us. “Listen, you two keep talking gooey and stuff. I’m going to play my games.” He slithers to the end of the bed and picks up the Switch from the floor, then starts playing it as Eli and I nestle back down on the bed.

“I think he’s letting us be alone, in his own way,” Eli chuckles.

“I gave you my money, you stupid raccoon. What more do you want from me?” Spite hisses at the game and shakes it before returning to playing.

I smile at Eli and kiss his forehead. “So, after last night, are we still friends? Or do we need to talk?”

“We’re more than friends, remember? We’re partners.” Eli runs his hand up and down my chest. 

“That’s right.” I sigh and yawn, stretching out my legs. “Partners.”

Eli nods. “You’re still my best friend. You always will be.” He nuzzles my chest. “At the lab… When we were captured and I had to see Dr. Hargreaves again...” 

I hold him close, cupping the back of his head. “It’s okay.”

“I almost killed him, Max,” he whimpers. “I almost… but Spinel, Winston, he stopped me. He told me it would be a mistake.” Eli starts to cry. “I’m so scared of myself, Max. Of that anger… What I could do… What if I really am the killer he tried to make me?”

“If that were true,” I start off slowly, “I don’t think we’d be here right now. I think if that monster truly existed, you wouldn’t be you.”

Eli lifts his head to look at me. Tears run down his cheeks, and his lip quivers. “But what if...”

I place my finger over his lips. “That anger came out because of him, not because of anything hidden inside you. He hurt you for so long, I would be surprised if you didn’t react that way.” I smooth my fingers under his eyes to dry away the tears. “You’re sweet and kind. That’s you.”

Eli settles back down on me, holding me close. “Thank you, Max.”

“I’m so sorry for what happened, but Winston is right,” I whisper.

“I know.” Eli kisses my chest and neck. His soft lips move deftly across my skin, making my heart flutter and nerves awaken. “What would you like for breakfast?”

I shake my head. “I’m not hungry. I just wanna lay here.”

“Sounds good.” Eli curls up beside me. His tail wraps around my leg and he gently rubs his hand up and down. We spent the day being lazy, cuddling and enjoying one another’s company. We fool around a bit - okay, we fool around a lot - but we decide to keep it slow. 

At the end of the weekend, when I’m heading out to train, Spite has a surprise in store for me. “We have a tail now?” I ask him. I pose in the mirror, seeing the long, elegant tail that grows from the end of our spine.

“I liked it so much with Eli I decided to keep it,” he replies. “Sexy, right?”

I pose. “Yeah, it actually looks pretty cool.”

“I figured it would help us, too. We can use it as a weapon and when we’re on the move.” Spite gives me a squeeze. “Something extra for the next time we come across Rabid or Beast.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t want to think about that.”

“We have Eli now,” Spite says. “He’ll stand beside us, and we’ll stand beside him.”

“I’m surprised,” I murmur. “You let him in so easily.”

Spite chuckles. “I let pretty boy in because you wanted him. You will always be mine, so I have to take care of you. If making a pretty boy ours will do that, then I have no complaints.”

“Thank you, Spite.” I touch our face gently. “I love you.”

“I know. I love you too Max.”

After training I head home to go to the shower, but Eli is already in there. I knock on the door. “Don’t use all the hot water, okay?”

“Why not join me?” Eli asks. “I don’t mind.”

“You sure?”

“Just two bros in a shower,” Eli laughs. 

I strip down and join him, and he slips behind me so I can get under the showerhead. He gropes my ass, squeezing it greedily. 

“Hey! What happened to bros just being in the shower?” I smirk over my shoulder at him.

“My bad, bro,” he winks. 

I turn around as I wash up. “You went to see Urata today, right? How was he?”

“Handsome as ever. I helped him pack today.” Eli says.

“Pack?”

“He’s getting a new place, since his business keeps growing.” He smirks. “He offered us the studio if we wanted to move in.”

“What?” I gasp. “That huge place? We could never afford it!”

“He owns the place, and as long as we pay all the usual bills he said he’d let us move in. He’s not interested in being a landlord. He just wants to make sure the place doesn’t fall to pieces.”

I’m a bit shocked. I’ve never lived anywhere on my own before. I’ve always relied on family and now the academy. “That’s awfully kind of him. Is he sure?”

“Urata is wrapped around my finger,” Eli smirks. “But he does want to have a talk with you. Since you and I are partners now.”

I laugh and place my hands around his waist. “So, he knows about us, huh?”

“He wasn’t surprised. He knew it was bound to happen.” He loops his arms around my neck. “He said he’d like to see us work together sometime.” We kiss, and I press his back against the wall.

We move into the studio during summer break. The place is huge, and we don’t have any furniture of our own. Eli gets a job working at the academy as a teacher’s assistant. I get one with Urata, working at his art school. Spite sometimes poses for drawings, and he loves being the center of attention.

Over the summer we slowly fill the apartment, getting the furniture we like as well as replacing some old appliances. By the time the new semester at the academy is starting, we have it almost just right.

“Senior year, and already we’re an old married couple,” Eli teases.

“I’m nervous. This will be our first year working together towards the partnership.” I put on my uniform, which is worn only during special occasions at the academy. Since we’re the graduating class, there’s a special seminar being held by Hephaestus that afternoon. Afterwards we would be signing up for our classes and special programs, which include working alongside professional heroes rather than teachers and senior students at the academy. 

Eli kisses me, and Spite licks my cheek. “Don’t worry, we’re right beside you.”

I squeeze Eli’s hand as Spite slips down my arm and wraps over my fingers. “Spite and Sunstone,” I say with a smile. “What a team.”