The second kiss, harder and more certain than the first had been, just stokes the fire that has ignited within Merrick. He crushes his lips against Cyril's, and moves his hands to the backs of his brother's thighs to grab them and lift him up.

He holds him like that briefly, unwilling to part their lips for more than a fraction of a second lest this moment be stolen away. He doesn't even look where he's going, just moving forward until his knees hit the side of the bed and he can tip them over onto it.