There wasn’t anything indicating that it was morning. Air held its rigid stillness and a complete lack of windows shut back whatever sunlight may be rising over Earth’s quiet crust. Or, well, Konner assumed it was quiet. He wasn’t really all that sure, but he’d like to think that the absence of humanity created peace.

Nonetheless, he shifted out of bed. Stretched his arms above his head before standing to his full height. He wouldn’t necessarily call himself tall, but that barely mattered in these tight spaces. Thankfully, they’d all had plenty of time to adjust.

“Mmph.”

Konner quietly turned toward the gentle sound.

“It’s fine, love. Just gotta milk Ernie. I’ll be back with tea,” he whispered, stroking thick dreads messy in their elastic prison. The texture pressed soothingly into Konner's lips as he left a quick kiss before taking a step back and heading out of the room.

A clock hung plain against an olive green wall, striking just a few minutes til five. Satisfaction rode the hum that escaped Konner's lips. He was up a bit earlier than usual but he doubted Ernie would mind. The cow’s greatest weakness was a lack of patience. The earlier, the better.

“Konner? You’re up early,” a drowsy voice called from down the hallway.

“Not by much,” he croaked as loudly as he could. Instead of continuing to strain his voice, he pointed the other way and made a milking gesture with his hands.

“Alright, cool. We got any milk in the fridge or will I have to wait for some?” the woman asked, stifling a yawn.

Konner shrugged. There wasn’t an easy way to say or gesture that there was maybe enough for a tiny glass of milk if he was even remembering correctly.

She sighed and conceded, “It’s fine, bro. I’ll just see for myself, I guess.”

He gave a sympathetic smile and a quick wave before turning the corner towards the pens.

Unlike the living quarters, the pens were closer to the surface of the waking world. Up two flights of stairs and through the gaping hallway was a two thousand square foot makeshift barn. Along with Ernie, there was another cow and the calf she’d had earlier in the year. There was a bull, too, but he’d been separated as soon as Rosy got pregnant. No one was sure what the new risks of this environment would be, and they couldn’t risk losing one of their two milk cows.

Three horses were stabled in the far Eastern corner and a small coop held seventeen quail. An incubator sat dormant beside it, and a sizeable grain silo took up the space between the coop and the stable.

It wasn’t much, per se, but it was far more than others could even dream about having. For that, Konner was still, even after all this time, proud of his conspiracy theorist father for the comfortable abode they could all enjoy a whole ass year after the disaster.

With a smile touching his lips, Konner switched open the shutters above, shafts of far off sunlight raining down and flooding the barn with natural lighting. For that, it was his favorite place. The only area of the bunker that reminded them of the fresh beauty of the world beyond.

Ernie let out a huff of relief as Konner settled his milking stool beside her.

“Oh, come on. Don’t be so dramatic,” he whispered. “I’m early for crying out loud.”

Ernie only shook her head. Tail flicking in growing impatience.

Konner rolled his eyes and set to work relieving her of the milk she seemed desperate to get rid of. Not that it bothered Konner any. He preferred to keeping at least a few of the luxuries of the lost world, and this was most certainly one of them.

After ensuring her highness was fed and watered, he moved on to Rosy and her calf Daisy, feeding them a mixture of straw and grains before repeating the process with Fives the bull. And again with the horses.

Patches greeted him with a soft whinny which drew the attention of Sunshine and Arugula. All three of them were particular to Konner and all three of them expected their pets before their food. He was happy to oblige. Sunshine’s Palomino coat seemed a little dull, so he took some brushes and worked her until the hairs shone just like her namesake. She huffed in annoyance as he left the stall but returned to her food without further sound.

“Really love watchin’ you work.”

The deep voice made Konner jump, flooding his heart with warmth immediately after the initial startle faded. “Morning,” he whispered, walking over to his partner.

The man held his hand to an ear and said, “I’m sorry, what was that? Couldn’t quite catch what you—”

“Stooop,” Konner whined, his tone louder but his voice scratchy, weak. Pathetic. He hated his voice. “You know that’s not funny,” he continued, returning to a whisper as he folded his pale, freckled hand over the obsidian one that rose to meet it.

Warmth held in the man’s deep caramel eyes. “You’re right, you’re right. I’m sorry, I was just messin’ around. I’m sorry.”

Konner smiled sweetly, his thumb running soothing circles over the man’s knuckles. “It’s fine, Marius. I think I can still love you, even if you’re stupid.”

Marius chuckled at that and leaned down to brush a feather light kiss on Konner's brow. “Mary sent me to get you. Somethin’ about needing fresh milk before she dies of dehydration.”

A huff and Conner rolled his eyes at his sister’s antics. They took all that time drilling a well and the little twat didn’t even appreciate it.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Marius said, tapping on Konner's forehead. “Just remember, she’s pregnant in the middle of the apocalypse and she can’t even have ice cream to stave off the cravings. Might as well give her a cup of milk before she loses it completely.”

Right. Konner often forgot about his sister’s pregnancy. Probably because it still freaked him the fuck out. Thinking about how they have no access to medical equipment or epiderals. How much pain she’d be in and how heart wrenching it’ll be if she loses the baby.

Of course, both her and Aaron had literally met and gotten together in nursing school so they waved off Konner's fears with nonchalance but, still. His anxiety had a way of whispering everything that could go wrong if he thought about it too often.

“Anyway, someone woke me up early with the promise of tea, and here I am still tea-less. Care to explain?” Marius said, taking Konner's mind off of his sister.

The latter looked up into the knowing gaze of his lover. Marius always knew when Konner was spiraling. Always knew the right thing to say to bring Konner back. It worked, and Konner's lips turned up in a smile.

“I love you, but Ernie will literally kick my ass if she isn’t taken care of like the queen she thinks she is. Besides, you usually don’t roll out of bed until I’m making breakfast anyway, so I figured I had time,” Konner defended himself quietly as he walked toward the coop. “Just gotta get the eggs and I’ll be right behind you.”

Quiet footfalls on the thick carpet of straw indicated that Marius had no intention of leaving. “Nah. Like I said, I love watching you work.” His voice was like honey and it sent pleasant waves of warmth rolling over every one of Konner's nerves.

Konner tossed a look of adoration over his shoulder and it caught in Marius’s eyes, pulling his lips into that lopsided grin that Konner loved so much. As much as he wanted to bask in it, there were still a few things to do before he could.

Flipping on the egg candler, Konner entered the coop with his basket, humming as he carefully collected the tiny eggs. Quail didn’t make a lot of sound, but they followed at his heels and brushed lovingly against his legs. Watched him with eager eyes as he knelt down to give each of them pats that they leaned in to. Most of these, Konner hatched himself. But it’d been a while since a fertilized egg revealed itself in the light of the egg candler. A mild concern what with the number being so steady thus far, but Konner missed raising baby quail.

As he set to giving the tiny birds attention, he realized one of the hens was missing. The last place to check was an old, plastic dog dome that his father had placed there with all the heat lamps to keep the birds warm. Sure enough, one of the hens sat on a clutch of eggs, her sharp beak pecking agitated at his hands as he carefully removed two of the three eggs.

“Sorry, sweetheart. Just checking them real fast,” he murmured. With excited steps carrying him swiftly out of the coop, Konner gently placed the eggs in the candler, saving the two in his hand for last. None of them showed any sign of fertilization, and he kept a breath as he put the two in his hand carefully over the revealing light.

“Well?” Marius asked, coming to stand beside Konner, his eyes alight with amusement.

Konner pivoted on his heels and threw his arms around the slightly taller man. The last two eggs showed the single spot of fertilization.

“Alright,” Marius chuckled, “I’ll go grab the replacements.”

Konner nodded his thanks and returned to the coop to secure the last of the three. The hen was properly pissed until Marius returned with the three hard plastic replacements, and she eagerly settled over the fake eggs.

Still unsure whether or not the third egg was actually fertilized, he checked it and, with a satisfied hum, flipped the incubator on. It thrummed to life and he made sure the temperature and humidity were correct before tenderly setting the clutch in their bed for the next fifteen to eighteen days. Satisfied with his work, Konner turned back to Marius and basically skipped towards his waiting arms.

“Glad you’re so excited,” he chuckled into Konner's ear, nipping at the soft flesh tenderly as muscled arms wrapped Konner in warmth.

It sent chills down Konner's spine and his huffing laugh surrounded the two. There was a word for this moment. Intoxicating. And Konner was addicted to it.

“Someone still owes me tea,” Marius whispered.

Konner let out another huffing laugh, tangling his hand in Marius’s heavy dreads. “Fine,” he breathed out with an aching smile. “I’ll get you your damn—”

Dagger sharp coughing interrupted Konner's words and he curled in on himself, dropping to his knees in the straw with a soft thump. Marius quickly joined him, rubbing comforting circles over Konner's quaking back. It didn’t help the harsh constricting of Konner's throat, of course, but it did bring a sense of safety. Marius knew what to do if the airway closed completely, and there was relief in that.

Didn’t make it less terrifying…

“Do I need to get it open,” Marius asked, concern an abyss in his voice.

Konner didn’t like that voice, nor did he like knowing it was his fault that lured it to the surface.

The pain was too great to verbally reply, but Konner could feel the constricting grasp faltering. Fading to nothing more than the aggravating itch that he knew he wouldn’t be able to scratch. He lifted his hand with a thumbs up.

At first, that sign had done nothing to calm anyone bringing him out of these attacks. After so many in the span of a year, they started believing him, and now was no exception.

Marius’s grasp faintly relaxed. Strong forearms slipped under Konner's weak frame and lifted him from the floor. Their warmth seeped into every inch of skin they touched, and security was a soft blanket that settled as Konner was folded tight against Marius’s chest.

"S-or-ry,” Konner rasped, shattered glass digging deep into his windpipe.

Marius brushed their foreheads together. “Shh, shh, shh…. no need for words, love. Just rest.”

Konner nodded against the soft cotton of Marius’s shirt.

As soon as they landed on the lower floor, Konner tapped Marius’s chest. It took a second for the latter to realize the call for his attention, but as soon as his gaze met Konner's, Konner made a drinking motion with his hand. An apologetic smile touched his chapped lips.

Marius rolled his eyes, but stopped to place a tender kiss upon the curve of Konner's nose. “I think that attack more than makes up for a broken promise,” he answered with a playful glint scintillating in his caramel gaze. It scattered as a more serious grimace touched his lips. “You probably need somethin’ for your throat, though. That one seemed pretty bad.”

Konner winced at his assumption and he nodded with the unintentional confirmation.

Comfortable silence followed the duo as they made their way to the dining hall. Mary was at the table drinking what was left of the milk and Aaron was talking with Johnathon—Konner's father—over a cup of coffee. As soon as the elder saw his son, he set his mug down and bolted over.

“Konner? Are you okay?” Johnathon frantically asked. He didn’t even wait for a response as he looked to Marius. “Is he alright?”

Annoyed, Konner struggled out of Marius’s grasp until he was standing on his own two feet. He was still aware of the weakness that shook his knees and threatened to drop him, but Konner stood as tall as he could.

“I….can….talk….for my-self,” Konner managed in a hoarse whisper. “I’m….fine”

Johnathon frowned, crossed his arms over his chest as his fern leaf gaze scoured Konner's expression for any sign of falsification. With a heavy sigh, Johnathon uncrossed his arms and brought a hand up to rest on his son’s shoulder. “Alright, kiddo. If you say you’re fine then I’ll let it rest.” His gaze shifted to Marius. “Thank you for taking care of my boy, son.”

“My pleasure,” Marius replied with that velvet smooth voice.

“This is all fantastic shit, but, uh, Konner, did you get my milk that I asked for?” Glass clanked against wood as Mary’s cup dangled from her hand.

Konner let out a huffing laugh. Painful as the action was, he truly did appreciate his sister’s blunt, disinterested attitude. It helped negate the feeling of uselessness that the rest of their little family unintentionally dished out. Even if that very attitude sent him back up two flights of stairs to retrieve the milk and eggs he’d left up there.