Work Text:
Norton sits at his desk, working through the daily reports. He’s been at it since he got back from his last meeting, barely pausing long enough to shed his outerwear. The paperwork had piled up while he was out of town.
He goes to organize one of the stacks before it tumbles, his hand accidentally knocking it over. The papers scatter to the ground. Norton groans as he gets up to pick the papers up, but a single knock on the door stalls his movements. It’s too late for any normal visitors but-
“Mole? It’s Clarity.”
“Ah, come in.” Norton calls out as he kneels down to start cleaning up.
The door opens as a blue haired man carefully balancing a serving platter steps through. “Mike told me you barely touched your dinner again.”
Norton laughs sheepishly, “Sorry.. I got caught up with work, you know how it is. Did you come here just to nag at me?” He grins, teasing,“Or did you miss me that much?”
Naib sighs, “Neither, I came to make sure you weren’t sick or dead from overworking.” He holds up the platter of food in offering. “Jose would kill me if I let you die on my watch, so at least eat something, alright?”
“Aww, and here I thought you cared.” Norton mock pouts as he finally stands, the papers a neat stack in his hands.
“Shut up and eat, Campbell.” Naib huffs as he sets the tray of food down on the desk. There’s a plate of neatly made sandwiches alongside a glass of water and an apple.
Norton hums as he takes a sandwich and bites into it, setting the reports aside for now. Perhaps he did need a break. Naib shifts the stacks of papers carefully, taking a seat in the cleared area on the desk.
Norton blinks, “What are you doing?”
“Making sure you finish your food.” Naib yawns into his hand, legs crossed, “What does it look like?”
Norton grins, “It looks like you’re tired, actually. Y’know, you could always sit in my lap.” He pats the area in question as he continues, “You’d still be able to watch me and it’s guaranteed to be more comfortable than the desk.”
The other man tugs his hood up higher to hide his reddening face. “Shut up, it’s your fault I’m still here. Do you have any idea what time it is?”
Norton smiles fondly at Naib’s obvious embarrassment before turning to check the clock on the wall. It’s 2:46 AM. He blinks. Blinks again. He tilts his head as if that would change the time, “It’s that late already?”
“Yeah, so hurry up and finish eating so we can go to bed. I’m tired too, y’know.” Naib frowns.
There’s several minutes of peace as Naib fiddles with the miscellaneous knick-knacks on the desk while the other man eats. The quiet is comfortable, both silently enjoying the other’s presence.
“Mm,” Norton is close to finishing off his sandwiches before he pauses. “Wait.”
Naib hums, turning slightly so that he can see Norton’s face. “What now?”
“It’s almost 3 in the morning.” He looks at Naib, gears turning in his head.
“Yeah..? And?” Naib raises an eyebrow, “Did the lack of sleep finally get to you?”
He ignores the question, “None of the staff would be awake to make food at this time. And you definitely wouldn’t wake them. So.. did you put this together for me?” A smile creeps onto Norton’s face as Naib flushes.
“..So what if I did?” Naib glances away briefly, “Got a problem with that?” He reaches out to grab the apple on the tray. “It’s not poisoned or anything.”
Norton hums, folding his hands together and propping his chin up before continuing, serious, “You wouldn’t poison me. I’m sure of that.”
“Nice to know you trust me so much,” Naib grins as he tosses the apple up before catching it.
“It’d be strange not to trust my personal bodyguard, right?” Norton stands up and walks around his desk, stopping in front of Naib. They’re almost eye level, with Naib still seated on the desk. He uncrosses his legs, careful to not knee Norton.
Naib tilts his head, hood slipping slightly as he looks up at the taller male. “Considering how much you pay me, yeah, it’d be a bit strange.”
“..Is that it?”
Norton presses closer, leaning onto the desk with a hand for support, boxing Naib in. The shorter male leans back slightly to maintain eye contact. His hand hovering over the other’s chest but not quite touching.
“What?” Hesitantly, Naib presses his hand to Norton’s chest. He feels a rapid heartbeat under his palm. Or maybe he’s imagining it, the pulsing in his ears disorienting him.
“Is that it? Is the paycheck the only reason?” Norton raises a hand up, gently tugging Naib’s blue hood down.
“I..” Naib swallows, he blinks rapidly, trying to follow as his own pulse goes out of control. “Mole…”
Norton cuts in, “I’ve told you before, you can call me by my name.” He tucks a lock of hair behind Naib’s red ear. “Naib.”
He takes a deep breath, pausing to gather some courage, “..Norton. You know it’s not just the paycheck for me.” Naib moves his hand up onto the other male’s shoulder, gently squeezing.
Norton hums as he holds Naib’s cheek, thumb sweeping gently over his skin. “Do I?”
Naib bites his lower lip as he leans into Norton’s touch, “..yeah.” He raises his hand up to hold Norton’s hand in place. “I think you do.”
Amber eyes meet charcoal, each searching for something unspoken.
Norton breathes out, leaning to rest his forehead against Naib’s. “Yeah.. I think I do too.”
Naib chuckles a bit, running his hand through Norton’s hair. “What are you going to do now then?”
An inhale. “I think you know.”
“Do I-” Naib doesn’t get to finish his question before he’s cut off by a chaste kiss, Norton hesitantly pressing in before pulling back.
“Was that-” It’s Norton’s turn to get cut off as Naib leans forward, pulling him back in, pecking him gently before deepening the kiss.
It’s only after several minutes, when they’re both flushed and out of breath, that they remember the late hour.