The sudden tenderness is unexpected, but exactly what Merrick needs right now, and he cants his head up so he can meet that gentle kiss. He answers it with slow, sweet movements of his lips, his spine curving in tandem with the stroking along his back.

Slowly his body begins to relax around Metaari, some of the tension uncoiling from his muscles, though he continues to tremble with pure need. His hands crawl up to the back of Metaari's neck and his kisses get more erratic, more desperate. He bites on his partner's lower lip, follows it with a short, breathy laugh.

He's okay.