Rick was methodical, painting each line with precision, though Morty couldn’t tell if it was genuine care or if Rick just wanted to be done with it. The brush moved across his chest, his ribs, his stomach—each stroke making Morty feel like his insides were twisting, his body recoiling from the intimate closeness.
With a sharp intake of breath, Morty pressed the brush to Rick’s skin. The warmth of the oil immediately spread through the brush, tingling up Morty’s arm. The sensation was strange, alien, and Morty’s skin crawled with the weight of it. He tried to paint as quickly as possible, his movements hurried and awkward, his hands shaky and unsteady.
Every stroke felt wrong, like he was invading some boundary he shouldn’t cross, and yet, the temple demanded it. His fingers twitched with every flick of the brush, his breath shallow as he traced the alien symbols across Rick’s skin. The oil shimmered and glowed as it spread, marking Rick with the same strange light that covered Morty.
Content Set to Go Live: Sep 25, 2024 on Ao3
Morty’s discomfort grows as the alien ritual takes a more intimate turn, forcing him and Rick into positions that make him question the entire process. As the bond remains incomplete, the pressure mounts, and Morty is faced with a choice that tests his boundaries and his trust in Rick.
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The priest’s cold, unblinking gaze turned to Morty. “The physical bond must be sealed. You must demonstrate your complete trust in one another.” Morty swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. “Complete trust? What does that—” The priest interrupted, his voice echoing with finality. “You must lay on top of him. Only then will the bond be fully realized.” Morty’s stomach lurched, a wave of nausea rolling over him. “W-what?! No way, I—I can’t—Rick, I—I can’t do this!” Rick, lying beside him, groaned, his voice thick with annoyance. “Jesus Christ, Morty, just do it already. We’re wasting time here.” He barely glanced at Morty, his eyes half-lidded as though this whole thing was just another annoying errand. “You wanna get outta here or not?” Morty’s skin crawled at the thought of being even closer to Rick than he already was. The idea of lying on top of his grandpa—feeling the warmth of Rick’s body against his own—made his heart race with panic.
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As the alien ritual demands more, how far will Morty go to complete the bond with Rick?
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