Archive of Our Own

He was just going to check in, that’s what friends do. 

Ray wasn’t trying to pry, really. But when Jim called that morning, saying he couldn’t come to rehearsal after waking up with a fever and feeling like shit, he had just sounded so… pathetic , for lack of a better word. Of course Ray was going to worry. That was normal, no matter how often he stared at Jim’s empty spot or how many jokes John and Robby made about him having a crush that were getting a bit too close to the truth. Besides, why else would Jim have trusted him with an extra key?

“Jim?” He called out, closing the door behind him. “Are you awake?” 

He was answered by a quiet whine from the bedroom. At least he was awake. Ray let out a soft sigh, making his way to the room and slowly opening the door. Jim? Hey, man-”

Jim was laying face down on the bed, having at some point stripped down to his underwear, soft whimpers escaping him. Ray bit his lip, wishing he was a slightly better man who could stop looking over his sick friend’s body. 

Jim lifted his head slightly, glazing back at the door and blinking a few times, like he was trying to force his brain to catch up. “Ray?” God, if Ray thought he sounded pathetic this morning- “That you?” 

“Yeah.” Ray said gently, stepping into the room. “Still feeling ba-” He cut himself off when he tore his eyes away long enough to notice the bedside table. A bunch of bright pink flowers sat on in, held in a bottle that had been repurposed into a vase last minute. “Where did you get those?” 

Jim slowly glanced at the table. “Mm… someone left them last night… thought they were pretty…” 

“You’re not sick. Did no one warn you about these?” He quickly moved to hold his nose, going to grab the bottle. “No wonder you feel like this-”

Jim made a soft, confused noise from the bed, watching with glassy eyes as he carried the sweet-smelling bunch out. 

Ray brought them to the kitchen, dumping the flowers in the trash and quickly washing his hands before heading back. “Christ, you’ve been breathing in fucking aphrodisiacs all day and night, no wonder you’re burning up-”

Jim reached up during his rambling, gently tugging on his sleeve. “Help?” He mumbled, still sounding dazed. “I-I don’t kn-know how to- make it stop, please ?” 

Ray looked down, swallowing around the lump forming in his throat. “I… I can’t do that.” 

“Please.” 

“You’re not in any type of right mind, Jim. You don’t know what you’re asking for.” 

“Please, Ray?” He whined, sitting up a little. “I need it.” 

He could feel his resolve starting to crumble. “It could ruin a lot.” There wasn’t much force behind his words. It was a token resistance at best, and they both knew it. 

“Ray.” He was sitting on his knees, looking up at Ray with glassy, puppy dog eyes. “ Please .”

Ray was only a man. 

“Shhh, I’m here.” He said gently, sitting next to him. “I-I’ll fix it.” 

Jim didn’t respond, instead opting to crash his lips into Ray’s. Ray placed a hand on his waist, gently stroking the feverish skin there. He pulled back, taking a few quick breaths before pressing soft kisses down Jim’s throat. 

Jim let out a low moan. “Fuck-”

Ray couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, c’mon, it’s just kisses, it can’t be that good.” 

“‘S a lot.” He mumbled, eyes fluttering. 

“Christ, how out of it are you?” 

Jim shifted closer, stradling Ray’s thigh. “Feels like a weird high.” 

“Yeah, that tracks.” He said, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. 

Jim rocked his hips slightly, grabbing at Ray’s shirt. “Ray-“

He usually tried to be more patient with him. He mostly succeeded. But right now, with Jim hard and needy and literally begging for him - it had long since wore thin. 

“Shhh, it’s okay, I’m gonna fix it.” He cooed, running a hand through Jim’s sweat-damp curls. “Can you go lay down for me?”

Jim nodded, clambering off his lap and laying across the mattress, hooking his thumbs under the waistband of his boxers. Ray bit his lip harshly. Christ, he looked like a debouched baroque painting. He stepped back, quickly pulling his shirt over his head. 

“Going quick as I can, baby, promise.” He mumbled, taking a moment to fumble with his belt. It wasn’t exactly his fantasy scenario, but it was certainly happening. 

By the time he had gotten his pants down, Jim had long abandoned the boxers, spreading his legs. “Fuck-“ he mumbled, ghosting a hand over his cock. 

“God, you’re beautiful.” Ray said softly, climbing back on the bed. 

“Hurry, please-“

“I’m trying, baby.” He kissed him quickly, before spitting on his hand and running it over his dick, lining himself up. “I don’t wanna hurt you.” He said softly, one hand coming up to cup his cheek as he slowly pushed the head in. 

Jim moaned, his back arching off the mattress. “Fuck, Ray-“

He groaned softly, slowly working his way in. “God, you’re so tight-“ he muttered, his thumb running along his cheekbone. “You’re taking it so well-“

“Mm-it’s so good…” Jim mumbled. 

“Yeah?” He looked down at him, rolling his hips to be rewarded with another loud moan. 

“Fuck! Yes!” 

“Never realized you could be this fucking needy.” He said, his control already starting to slip. It was just so… hot . 

“H-harder, please-“

“Anything for the little prince.” He cooed, speeding up his thrusts. 

Jim gasped, his eyes rolling back like some parody of a porn star. “God- there! Ray, please, right there-!” 

Ray moaned. “God, you should see yourself right now, so pretty-“ he said, slamming into him. “Such a good boy-“ 

“Yours.” Jim gasped out desperately. “All yours, fuck, it’s so good, Ray-“

“Gorgeous.” He muttered, wrapping a hand around Jim’s dick, making the other whine. “Prettiest fucking boy for me, god-“

“I’m gonna-“

“Go ahead, prince.” He said, leaning down to kiss him softly. Thank god, he was embarrassingly close himself. “Let it go, it’ll make it all feel better.”

Jim cried out, throwing his head back as he came, spilling over Ray’s hand and his own stomach. 

“Oh, how beautiful.” Ray mumbled, feeling his own climax coming. “My good boy.” 

Jim whimpered, hooking a leg around Ray’s waist. “In me, please-“

Ray groaned, slamming into him one last time as he came. “Fuck-“ he slowly pulled out, panting softly as he looked over Jim. 

Jim was panting for breath, a thin layer of sweat shimmering on his skin. “Holy shit.” He said softly. 

Ray leaned down, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “How about a shower, huh?” He asked, smiling softly. 

“Can we stay here for a few?” He asked, looking up at him. His eyes were less glassy, more focused on him, but they still had that puppy dog quality. “Please?” 

“Of course.” He said, laying next to him and pulling him to his chest. “You alright?” 

“Better.” He said, snuggling up to him. 

Ray smiled, playing with his hair. “Told you I’d fix it.”

Jim nodded a little. “And then some.”