Midnighter's a furnace: Marcus is only too happy about it, humming contentedly as he gets wrapped up in him. "That's the first time anyone's ever actively wanted to stay in this place," he tells him, knowing Midnighter will pick up on how his heart ticks a little faster with pleasure at the idea of him spending the night.

"You can stay. If you want. Course you can stay." He is surprised Midnighter wants to, though. Not even really because of the intimacy — he's starting to understand that Midnighter craves closeness just like he does. No, it just seems like a small, boring place to stay, especially for someone who doesn't sleep, who just came in through a glowing portal covering in alien blood. Who saves hundreds of people in one fell swoop, where Marcus will work for months on end to save one.

It doesn't work like that, he reminds himself. That's theologically bullshit, there are whole parables about that. It still doesn't stop him from feeling — a little slow, a little tedious by Midnighter's standards.

He exhales, breath pooling hot in the hollow of Midnighter's shoulder and clavicle. "Why?" he ends up saying, a bit subdued. "Not... I know you wanna stay with me." That feels presumptuous even though Midnighter's just said as much. "So why is that, hm? I'm doing something right. Just not sure what. Help me out."