One Last Time (Story)

One Last Time was written in May 2021 in order to explore the relationship between Rick and Dante. Despite the NSFW warning, the story mainly features the couple's feelings surrounding sex, rather than, you know, actual sex.
== Summary ==
After a long night, Rick wakes up to find himself in a place he doesn't immediately recognize. After piecing together what happened the night before, he begins to wonder for how much longer he's going to keep giving in to his feelings.
== One Last Time ==
As he opened his eyes, Rick groaned as he could feel the heaviness from his headache, cursing whatever sort of fever dream it was that had awoken him from his slumber.
Where was he?
As he squinted his eyes in the dark room, he looked towards the darkened window, taking notice of the small slivers of early morning light that made their way through the dark closed curtains. The sun wasn't even up yet and he simply grumbled, laying back down on the bed he had been sleeping on.
It wasn't his bed, but during whatever drunken stupor he had been through, he still managed to land there. On this oddly familiar bed. Why was it so hard to remember? How much did he have to drink last night?
As he stared blankly at the ceiling, his eyes were adjusting to the darkness and he noticed a warm orange light next to him, suddenly becoming aware of the presence of someone else next to him.
He glanced at the side and suddenly his blood ran cold. Next to him, resting peacefully without a care in the world, was a skeleton Drimare, the lively orange light was his fire hair, made of whatever undead zombie nonsense that caused it not to set the room ablaze.
It was Dante, Rick realized. His ex. This was in his house, and Rick quickly became aware of his own nakedness under the sheets, quickly piecing together what had taken place the night before.
...Oh no.
Not again.
Rick tried to think back on what had happened last night, but it was more than evident by now. He had hooked up with him. Again. Just when he told himself that he was finally putting an end to it, here he was again.
He cursed himself for allowing himself to keep doing this, noticing the nearly finished bottle of whatever alcoholic beverage he now recalled chugging down last night, laying dejected on the floor along with their clothes.
He reached out for it, noticing his own tired reflection on the glass. He should leave. Never come back, just go back home and pretend that none of this had ever happened. That would be the wise and reasonable thing to do, he thought as he just took the bottle to his lips and emptied it in a quick swig.
Yes. That's what a sane person would do. Just stop and not keep committing the same mistakes over and over. Rick did think of himself as sane, but whenever his loneliness striked, he was easily convinced otherwise.
Dante was his guilty pleasure after all, and he knew that even after they broke up and parted ways so many years ago, he was still the one his heart longed for the most. No one could ever compare to him, and Rick dreaded the thought that he'd never find anyone else that made him feel the way he did.
He knew he had to get up, he thought as he laid down again. He needed to go home, he told himself,  approaching his sleeping partner and making himself comfortable. He should, shouldn't he…?
He could feel Dante wrap his arms around him and hold him close and Rick couldn't help but enjoy his embrace. He allowed himself to have this. His prickly skin would make anyone squirm in pain at the mere touch of him, but whether it was by being a skeleton, or loving him back to the point he could ignore the thorns on his bones, Dante never once felt bothered by this.
Rick just let out a sigh, feelings of comfort and guilt overwhelmed him and he just hoped to fall back asleep. He didn't want to go home, he wasn't ready to be alone again.
He could feel Dante's breathing pause for a moment, as if adjusting to look at him. Rick simply lowered his ears in hopes that he'd think he was asleep...
- ...Ricky…? - He yawned, his voice drowsy - ¿Estás bien? - Dante spoke, as if awoken by his partner's sigh. Rick just flushed with this, but tried his best not to react as much.
- Si… I'm going back to sleep. - He spoke firmly, but he could feel Dante's uncertain expression, his fiery hands caressing his cheek as Rick couldn't help but to lean into his touch, failing to fight against the voice in his head that begged for him to let go.
- Are you sure you’re fine…? Sabes que te quiero mucho, you know you can talk to me…
- Why do I keep doing this…?
- Uhm…?
Rick became silent, he wanted to let go of him, but his body just wouldn't budge no matter what - This… I keep waking up here, in your bed…
- We could meet at your house instead?
- NO…! My family, they wouldn't… No, what am I saying… I can't keep seeing you like this… My heart, it just hurts too much…
- Ricky… Is that so…? - He seemed to feel gloom with this - I thought you enjoyed this… Why do you keep coming over then…? - Dante asked, his tone was of genuine worry and confusion and Rick just felt ashamed. He did ask, didn't he? He brought the drinks, he kept giving in, knowing full well that Dante would always take him in unconditionally.
- I don't know… I don't know why I keep doing it… - He was lonely, and everyday he missed him dearly, but he couldn't just say that.
- But… You don't have to, you know…? I still love you a lot, I want you to be well…
Rick remained silent with this, he often wouldn't say the L word back, no matter how much his heart begged for it. Admitting it would only be the start of the problem. He simply hid his face, still holding on to his partner who slowly caressed him as if to try and soothe his nerves.
It always worked, even with overwhelming guilt, Rick could never bring himself to deny him. It wasn't the first time they had had this conversation, and somehow, Rick knew it wouldn't be the last either.
- I can't control myself when I'm with you, Dante… You know this…
- Yes but...
Dante just looked quietly, maybe enabling him wasn't the wisest choice, but everytime, he'd get excited by how much fun the two of them had. They wouldn't hang out with the intent of having sex, but every time, they'd have a bit too much to drink, and every time it just… happened. Why did things have to get so complicated?
- Do you ever think about getting back together, Ricky? - Dante asked, his tone genuine, if they liked each other, why couldn't they just be together? But Rick knew it was a lot more complicated than that.
- No…! It is never going to happen. - He stated, they just couldn't, there were just too many factors against it and Rick knew it was for the best if they were separate.
- Then why, Ricky…? - He could feel Dante's hand raising his chin and he just contained himself. Were he a drunk stupor, he would just start bawling his eyes out, but instead, his expression was just saddened.
- Just… You know why.
- Ricky…
- J-Just reject me next time…! - He looked as if offended, despite knowing full well that he was very much at fault.
- I can try but you are usually very adamant about it...
- Still…! Tell me to go home!
- Not when you're drunk like that! Besides, I can't help it, I like being with you.
Rick just flushed with response, even if unintentionally, Dante always knew the way to his heart.
- Si, but… Must we always have sex?
- Well… - Dante looked thoughtful - You ask and I oblige…
- ARE YOU CALLING ME A PERVERT?!
- Of course not! But… You can't tell me there isn't a part of you that enjoys it… - He smiled flirtatiously and Rick couldn't help but blush, looking at the side with a smile he hated himself for having.
- Hah… Y-Yes… - He smiled flustered, wondering if that last swig of alcohol was reaching his brain - I-Is it getting hot in here…?
- You're still drunk, Ricky… - Dante smiled.
- I suppose I must be… - Rick sighed in defeat and leaned towards him - You are getting to me, Dante…
- Uhum… - He smiled - Really? After all that, what is this look you're giving me?
- What if… Just one more time, and then… I will not bother you… ever… - he smiled at him, to which Dante responded with a knowing look, a calm smile as he reached his hand towards his partner's thigh.
- You say that every time, Ricky… - He purred, getting on top of him.
Rick just looked at him expectantly, he knew this was the opposite of what he should be doing, but once again, he just didn't feel in control, instead rejecting the very thought.
Besides, he meant it when he said this would be the last time, and he swore that this time, he'd stay true to his word. He let out a soft huff as Dante felt him and with his hands, Rick pulled him down to kiss him. Although Dante couldn't kiss him back, the sentiment was there.
- I… I love you… - Rick managed to mutter,  a soft huff of pleasure escaping his lips.
- I love you too, Ricky… - Dante smiled, letting go of him - ...And that is why I am rejecting you. - He spoke calmly, his smile never leaving as he laid back where he was.
- W-Wait, what?! - Rick gasped, sitting up and looking at him in shock. - What do you mean…?
- I rejected you, is that not what you asked? - He smiled, but Rick just looked exasperated.
- N-Not after leaving a man all hot and bothered like this! You're insane!
- Tsk tsk. - He shook his head smugly - Go back to sleep, Ricky.
- Dan…
- Or I’ll tell you to go home. - He smiled half-joking and noticed Rick huffing in annoyance, crossing his arms as he faced away from him.
- Unbelievable!
Dante just chuckled with his reaction and Rick knew that he had no intention of finishing what he started, leaving him like an aroused mess.
- Come on, Ricky! It was like you said, it was the last time, and then you'd be done!
- URGHHH. - He groaned, covering his face in frustration.
- Hey… - Dante approached him, smiling - Your flowers have opened up. - He carefully reached towards the red flower buds in his head, knowing what it meant for the Plant Drimare like him.
- Yes. They have. - Rick was staring daggers at him.
- Hehe… Are you that hot and bothered?
- Callate. It is your fault.
Dante smiled and simply observed him, he knew him well enough to know he wasn't actually angry, just… flustered.
Rick just avoided his gaze, facing the opposite direction of him. He could just go to the bathroom and take care of himself, but to let Dante win? Never.
He remained unmoving, noticing how Dante was dozing off, almost falling back to sleep. Rick suddenly felt embarrassed by his own reaction, and how quickly he let his emotions take hold of him. He looked back at him, ears lowered as his motion seemed to get Dante's attention.
- Dan…?
- Hm…?
- …
- What is it?
- I… Uhm… I'm sorry… Please forgive me.
- ¿Qué? Why sorry, my prickly bandito?
- You were right, I am a pervert.
- What?! I did NOT say that! You did! - He chuckled - Besides, you are no worse than me!
- No matter. I, uhm… Thank you for not enabling me this time… Even if I would really like you to.
- Are you trying to guilt me? - Dante laughed and Rick just looked flustered.
- ...No.
- Then just go back to sleep, eh?
Dante noticed how Rick sighed and laid on his side, facing away from him. He seemed dejected and Dante wondered if holding him would help in any way.
He simply approached his prickly partner and hugged him from behind, ignoring the thorny lashers that would have pierced his skin if he had any. Rick didn't respond, but as he took hold of his arms and relaxed, Dante figured this was okay with him.
Dante often pondered if there was anything he could do to make their relationship work, but they were from two completely different worlds, he just knew there was hardly a chance of it working out without putting at least one of them at risk. And he knew he wouldn’t be the one to suffer those consequences if something were to happen.
Dante just held him tighter. Next time. 
Next time, this wouldn’t happen. Rick was also adamant that next time, he wouldn’t bother him with this, and of course, if he did, then Dante would reject him. But as Dante felt him falling back asleep in his arms, he just knew.
They were both lying.
Category:Library
Category:NSFW