Week 6: Sleeping Together

Yes, you read right! It is indeed the final round.
“But Alice,” you say, “there are still three contestants left! That means two more eliminations.”
Ah, you speak the truth. But Cash has decided to fuck the rules and do things his own way.
Also, here is a meme for your viewing pleasure:

But here we go, final round!

(Warning for mild NSFW. Nothing explicit, just suggestive.)

Don’t forget to vote for your Bonechelor Ending of choice at the end of the chapter!

🌸🌸🌸💀💀💀💀💀

“So, tanight ya have the Edgelord, tomorrow’s the
puppy, then—”

“and i’m expected to fuck all of them?”

Twist sighed and looked up from his clipboard. “Not
expected—encouraged.”

“we’re sharing a bed,” Cash remarked, flatly,
leaning back in his armchair. “that usually leads to some degree of… fondling.”
He cleared his throat, fidgeting. “do you think they’ll—want to…?” He scowled
at the carpet, cursing his blush.

“Sweetheart.” Twist squeezed his shoulder
affectionately. “Ya don’ have ta do anythin’ ya don’ wanna—ya know that, don’t
ya?”

“i know that,” Cash replied shortly. “but, do they…
want me?”

“Oh.” Twist blinked, then his features softened and
he grinned. “Can’t speak fer them, ‘a course, but I don’ think you’ll be short
on enthusiasm, if tha’s what yer worried about.”

Cash looked up at him. “what’s that supposed to
mean?” he asked, cautiously.

Twist winked and slipped his clipboard into his
inventory, standing. “Let’s jus’ say—yer not as unalluring as ya seem ta think,
Patches.”

Cash stared at him. He. He had heard correctly, hadn’t he? But this was Twist. Twist didn’t
flirt… Did he? “w-well,” Cash said quickly, scrambling for a change in topic.
“am i—am i really meant to—to have sex with all
of them? isn’t that…?” He swallowed back a niggle of guilt, thinking of Slim.

Twist considered him. “Yer worried about bein’
unfaithful?”

“i’m not dating any of them, so no,” Cash said, sniffing. “but… yes,” he
added, quietly.

“Aw, Patches,” Twist cooed, sitting on the edge of
his chair and slinging an arm around Cash’s shoulders. “Let’s not pretend yer
the only one with eyes—sorry, an eye—fer more than one person.”

Twist didn’t give Cash a chance to do much more
than gape before grinning and hopping off his chair. “Have fun, darlin’—and be
safe!” Cash watched him go, still trying to process what he’d said.

After showering, Cash rummaged through his closet
for his most pristine set of pyjamas—lavender spider silk, likely more
expensive than the wardrobes of every other person in the house combined. He
added a touch of bone cologne to his wrists, and double-checked his appearance
in the mirror before crossing the hall to Edge’s bedroom.

He was surprised to find Slim waiting for him
outside the door. A spike of guilt shot through him. Why did it feel as if he’d
been caught out? Slim knew what he was doing—and what he was likely to do as
the night progressed. So… why did this feel like a betrayal?

Slim observed him, tilting his head with a smile.
“you look awfully dashing for someone on their way to bed,” he remarked. Cash
grumbled a non-response and looked at the floor. “how are you feeling?” Slim
asked.

“normal,” Cash said, blandly.

Slim eyed Edge’s door. “that’s a pity. i think
edge’s standards are a little above ‘normal’.” When Cash didn’t respond, Slim
took his hand and squeezed it. “well. good luck.” He turned to walk away, but
Cash caught him by the sleeve, suddenly frantic.

“slim. is this…” He swallowed and grit his teeth.
“should i be doing this?”

“what?” Slim asked. “fucking edge?” Cash flushed
hotly and Slim grinned. “is that what you want to do?”

“i…” Cash considered. So distracted by his guilt,
he hadn’t actually considered whether or not he wanted this. He couldn’t deny his attraction to Edge—though he
figured that was about typical of anyone who’d spent more than ten minutes
around the guy.

“you know,” Slim said gently, intertwining their
fingers. “nothing you do in there will change how i feel about you.”

“are you giving me permission, then?” Cash asked.

“you don’t need my permission,” Slim said, rolling
his eye-lights. “this is your decision. don’t let me change it for you.”

“but…” Cash began, weakly. He took a long breath,
swallowing. “how am i supposed to pick one of you after…?”

Slim pressed his teeth together, grinning as if he
were trying not to laugh. “oh, patches,” he whispered, stepping close and
cupping Cash’s face. “who said you had to pick one?”

Cash opened Edge’s door with shaking hands and
burning cheekbones. He hesitated with his hand on the doorknob, taking a deep
breath to try and steady his racing soul. From inside, heard voices—multiple voices. Frowning, he entered
the room to find Stretch sitting on the bed next to Edge. “oh,” Cash said,
freezing. “am i… interrupting something?”

“oh, don’t worry, love,” Stretch said. “i was just
keeping him warm for you.”

“No, you’re not interrupting anything,” Edge said
to Cash, sighing and casting Stretch a dark look.

“you’re… wearing glasses,” Cash noted, glancing
between the book in Edge’s hand, and the glasses taped to his skull.

“Yes,” Edge said, tightly. “As it so happens, I
enjoy being able to see the words on the pages I’m reading.”

Stretch cooed and pinched Edge’s chin. “aw, don’t
worry, cash. he’s just a little sensitive about his spectacles.”

“They’re not spectacles,”
Edge hissed, shoving Stretch’s hand away. “They’re reading glasses.”

“don’t worry, babe,” Stretch said. “they make you
look very sexy.” He glanced at Cash, smirking. “don’t you think so?”

“they’re… adequately pleasing to look at,” Cash
said, nodding. He could feel Edge watching him, his eyes searching, curious.
Was he… actually interested?

“see, precious?” Stretch said, turning back to
Edge. “you’re adequately pleasing to look at.”

“Flattered,” Edge said, still looking at Cash.
“Truly.” He placed his book on the nightstand and carefully removed his
glasses. “I’m afraid we’ll have to do without them for tonight. Now, why don’t
you get off the bed so Cash can join me?”

Magic settled in Cash’s mouth, and he swallowed it
back. Stretch cocked his head, pouting at Edge. “you don’t want me to stay?”

Edge sighed and gave him a lingering frown, then
looked at Cash. “It’s up to Cash.”

Cash opened his mouth, put on the spot. He was
thankful when Stretch broke in. “aw, don’t put that on him, love,” he scolded
Edge, gently. “it’s fine. i’ll go.”

“no.”

Edge and Stretch looked up at Cash. There was a
glint in Stretch’s eye, and he lifted a brow bone. “no?”

“you can stay,” Cash said. “i don’t mind.” In
truth, the prospect of being with both of them at once was a little less
intimidating than a one-on-one session with Edge. At worst, he’d be forced to
endure their bickering—but more likely, they might act as a buffer between him
and each other. Never mind that the idea of having both of them at once was…
intriguing. To say in the least.

Shifting aside, Stretch made room for Cash. “well,
come on then, love.”

Cash clambered over him—noting that he’d made space
between himself and Edge. He slid
beneath the covers next to Edge. The bed was a bit too small for the fit to be
anything less than cosy. Cash was wedged firmly between the two of them.

Stretch crawled under the covers beside him, and
his fingers brushed against Cash’s ribs. He and Edge shared a look over Cash,
then Edge turned and switched the light off. “Goodnight then,” he said, turning
on his side.

“what? that’s it?” Cash asked, deflating a little.

Edge looked at him, his eye-lights narrow in the
darkness. “What? Do you want a goodnight kiss?”

“well—no.”

“i think he does,” Stretch murmured—suddenly very
close behind Cash.

“Oh. Do you?” Edge asked, his voice subtly sultry.

“no…” Cash said, his voice wavering with
uncertainty.

“Hm. Pity.”

Cash was almost tempted to withdraw his refusal.
Edge’s eye-lights were on him, piercing red in the dim lighting. Swallowing,
Cash turned over, only to find himself facing Stretch instead. He couldn’t
decide whether or not he’d preferred looking at Edge. Stretch always looked a
little too… self-satisfied for his peace of mind.

“so you don’t want him to kiss you goodnight,”
Stretch said softly. “does that extend to me?”

Cash could feel charged magic in the air—warmth,
and energy. He watched Stretch without a word, itching to reach out and touch
him. Behind him, Edge sighed. “Behave yourself, Stretch,” he chided. “He’s said
he doesn’t want that.”

“no,” Cash whispered. “no… don’t behave yourself,
stretch.” Stretch’s smile slipped briefly, sockets widening with surprise. Cash
reached out slowly and found Stretch’s wrist. He closed his fingers around it
and guided Stretch’s hand to his waist.

“cash? love? do you—?”

“Cash,” Edge said firmly, resting a hand on his
shoulder. “You know we don’t expect anything of you. We’re not trying to guilt
you into anything. You don’t have to do this.”

Cash closed his eyes, his thoughts wandering back
to Twist’s words. ‘It’s yer game, Patches. No one
said ya had ta play by the rules.’ Throughout
the competition, Cash had been operating under the assumption that his choice
would be limited to one person…

‘who
said you had to pick one?’

Having Slim’s reassurance grew Cash’s confidence.
He was allowed to do this. He was allowed to want this. He didn’t have to limit himself.

Resolved, Cash caught Stretch behind the neck and
drew him in, kissing him. He swallowed Stretch’s surprised gasp and pressed
into him. Breaking away, he glanced at Edge over his shoulder, who was looking
just as stunned as Stretch. “i don’t want this to stop,” Cash said, determined.
“i want this.”

Slim glanced up as Cash slid into the bed beside
him. “you’re late,” he commented.

“am not,” Cash replied. He certainly hadn’t spent
half an hour trying to decide how he ought to dress for this. He didn’t want
to overdo it but he also didn’t want to underdo it and did Slim like cologne
was that a touch too much did he smell okay was he—

“so, how were they?” Slim asked, interrupting
Cash’s train wreck of thoughts.

Cash glanced at Slim. He was smiling pleasantly,
but amusement twitched at the corners of his mouth. “they were fine,” he said
at last.

“just fine?”

“what? you want details?” Cash asked snidely. Slim
flushed and glanced away, shrugging. “if you really want to know, then you
should go ask edge and stretch.”

“ask them for what? a demonstration?” Mischief
sparkled in Slim’s eye-lights, and Cash gave him a cold look before switching
the lamp off and pulling the covers to his chin. “well,” Slim whispered, his
face now hidden in darkness. “i suppose i have you for… necessary
demonstrations.”

Slim spoke the last part so quietly, Cash almost
thought he’d misheard. The seconds passed and Slim was silent. Cash could hear
him fidgeting. Slowly, he turned over, facing him through the darkness of the
room. Swallowing, he murmured, “is that what you want?”

Slim froze, staring at Cash. “i—” His eye-lights
were bright, burning. But he’d drawn in on himself. He looked anxious. “i don’t
know.”

Cash tried not to let the hurt show on his face. He
must not have done a very good job of it, though, because Slim quickly slipped
his hand into Cash’s. “what are you doing?” Cash asked, tensing.

Slim fiddled with Cash’s fingers, avoiding his eye.
“do you not want this?” he asked softly.

Cash watched him, breathing slowly, steadily,
trying to counteract the shaking of his bones. Carefully, he pulled his hand
from Slim’s grip. Dejection flickered across Slim’s face. Cash closed his eye
and inhaled—then pressed himself into Slim and kissed him.

Slim’s breath caught—but he didn’t try to pull
away. He melted into Cash and gradually returned the kiss, his fingers brushing
Cash’s cheekbone. Hastily, Cash pulled away, staring at Slim, breathless. “i—i
had to do that before i could talk myself out of it,” he stammered.

“right…” Slim nodded, already leaning back in. He
caught Cash around the back of his neck and kissed him deeply. A rush of magic
flowed through Cash’s bones, spreading warmth. He sighed and sunk into Slim,
savouring the taste of him on his tongue.

Slim’s hands wandered the back of his neck and
spine. He smoothed his thumb over Cash’s jaw, cupping his face tenderly. Cash’s
hands remained at his sides. He felt nervous—uncertain of himself. Did he dare
touch Slim? Did Slim really want this?

Cash was beginning to grow stiff and unsure of
himself when Slim grasped his hand and moved it to his hip.

Oh.

The encouragement provided Cash with a small burst
of confidence. He began to run his hands over Slim, feeling the different parts
of his body. He sighed into Slim’s mouth as Slim pressed the tips of his
fingers into the sensitive cartilage between his vertebrae. Feeling surer of
himself, Cash slipped his hand beneath Slim’s shirt and gently pinched one of
his floating ribs. It was rough beneath his fingers—scarred, but delicate. He
pressed himself deeper into Slim’s hold, craving more.

His breath caught when Slim pushed him onto his
back and climbed on top of him. He kissed Cash deeply then sat up, grinning
down at him. “you have no idea how long i’ve wanted to do that,” he said.

Stunned, Cash gaped up at him. “h-how long?”

“too long,” Slim purred, grinding into him, then
dipping to kiss him again. He worked his way down Cash’s jaw, then latched onto
his neck. Cash held a hand over his mouth as Slim dragged their hips together,
stifling a soft whimper. Slim caught his hand and pried it away. “you think i
waited this long just to have you try and hide those noises from me?”

Cash stared at him, too bewildered for words. Slim
smiled and stroked his cheekbone before ducking to nibble at his neck. He
pulled Cash’s legs around his waist and pressed their hips together. Cash felt
warmth at Slim’s pelvis and went still, surprised. “you… want me?” he asked,
his voice brittle.

Slim drew back and gave him a loose smile—the look
he got when he was trying not to laugh. “of course i want you,” he said,
lightly. “i’m certainly not grinding on you as a display of revulsion.” He
studied Cash, his smile withering a little. “do you… want me?”

Yes.
Cash swallowed and squirmed
uncomfortably beneath Slim. “i—” He caught Slim’s face between his hands and
tried to kiss him again, but Slim pulled back, looking at him intently.

“pa—cash. i’m serious. i need you to tell me if you
want this.”

“… yes.”

“you don’t sound so sure,” Slim said, his
expression darkening.

Cash chewed his tongue, averting his gaze. “i don’t
know.”

“are we moving too fast?” Slim asked.

“no.”

Slim held his face and turned his skull, meeting
his eye. “is it… because of twist?”

Cash froze. He stared at Slim, searching for the
joke—the ridiculous punchline—but Slim was earnest. “w—why are you bringing up
twist in a time like this?” he asked, irritably.

“this is a good time to bring him up,” Slim said,
gently.

The warmth in Cash’s bones had made way for an
itch—a frustrating itch he desperately wanted to scratch but also wanted to
ignore. He pushed Slim off him and turned on his side, facing away from him.
“i’m tired. goodnight.”

“cash…”

“goodnight. slim.”

For a couple of minutes, Slim was silent. Cash
tried to ignore him, but he could hear his soft breaths—and feel the lingering
warmth of his magic in the atmosphere around him. He felt Slim place a hand on
his shoulder, and remained still, stubbornly refusing to look at him. “i’m
sorry,” Slim murmured softly. When Cash said nothing, he sighed. “cash… do you
know where i found twist last night?”

Cash grit his teeth. “don’t care.”

“he slept in your room.”

Cash shut his sockets, his soul twinging. He
inhaled shakily. “i hope you kicked that bastard out when you found him,” he
said, his voice thick.

“patches…”

“don’t call me that,” Cash snapped.

“cash.” Cautiously, Slim inched closer to Cash.
When Cash made no protest, he pressed himself against his back, nuzzling his
face against his neck. Cash accepted the contact… reluctantly. Never mind
that it felt incredible to feel wanted.
“twist cares about you, you know. a lot.”

Cash scoffed. “he certainly cares about humiliating
me.”

“twist does have… an interesting way of showing
affection,” Slim admitted. “but…” He looped his arms around Cash’s waist and
leaned into him. “do you feel humiliated?”

“what on earth are you…?”

“or, do you feel happy?”

The words hung heavily in the silence. Slim fell
asleep with his arms around Cash, but it was long before Cash followed.
Conflicting thoughts warred in his head, keeping him awake, agitated. Slowly,
he managed to find sleep, struggling not to think of Twist.

By the following evening, Cash had come to a
decision.

He didn’t bother showering, and pulled on a pair of
old sweatpants and a loose tank top. Gathering himself, he marched into Twist’s
room.

Twist glanced up from his bed, brow bone going up.
“Heya, Patches. What’re ya doin’ here?” he asked, puzzled. “Elimination isn’
‘til tomorrow.”

Cash didn’t answer. He climbed into the bed beside
Twist and tugged the covers up, wishing him goodnight. He could feel Twist
staring at him, even after he’d closed his eye. “Uh. Ya know… sleepin’ in a bed
with me wasn’ part of the round,” Twist said, sounding uncertain.

“i know that,” Cash snapped, keeping his socket
firmly closed. “just. shut up and go to sleep, twisted.”

Twist was still, and quiet for a change. Part of
Cash wondered if he was going to protest. Then the covers rustled and the light
clicked, sending the room into darkness. Cash felt the mattress sinking as
Twist lay down beneath the covers beside him. “’Night, Patches,” he said,
quietly.

Cash lay on his back, staring blankly at the
ceiling. Breathing steadily, he counted backwards from ten—then he turned and
rested his head against Twist’s shoulder. His soul pumped frantically, dread
and excitement and regret all rushing through him at once.

Twist didn’t say a word. Then, cautiously, he
shifted closer to Cash, and slowly placed an arm around him. Relief flooded
Cash, and he sunk deeper into Twist’s embrace.

His mind wandered to the elimination tomorrow, and
he reconsidered Twist’s words. ‘No one
said ya had ta play by the rules.’ For once, Cash wasn’t dreading the
ceremony. He’d made his decision.

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