Work Text:
Inference was troubled. He hadn’t been paying attention to Ronald lately due to the influx of petty thefts reported around the city. Officer Baden had requested his assistance to figure out the root of the problem, while at the same time several clients had also requested his firm to help when the number of break-ins started to increase in the wealthier neighbourhoods. Least to say, the detective was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Many nights of no sleep and increased work led the detective to neglect his lover for a month and it was terrible for the both of them.
Once the criminals had been apprehended, it came as a relief to the firm that they could finally take a break. Inference had taken the liberty to sleep for a whole day before Recluse insisted he and Truth could handle the office by themselves and whatever work that may rise up in that time. Of course, this led to Inference being kicked out on forced leave for a whole week.
It was a quarter past noon, at this time, the Golden Rose Theatre was busy rehearsing for their latest production set to premiere in the coming month or so. Their leading man, Ronald de Ness, was busy for a multitude of reasons. Not only was he rehearsing for what could make or break the theatre in the face of a down season, but he was busy managing the theatre’s many mundane tasks, like the building’s maintenance, ledgers and the cast’s salaries. To cut it short, it was a very, very busy time for the Golden Rose Theatre and their leading man.
Naib peaked out from behind the auditorium doors, the brown paper packaging held snugly against his chest. Just as he was busy, his lover was the same. This contributed significantly to their month (it was a little more than a month if they both were being honest) spent apart from one another. From here, Naib could take his time to admire the actor from afar. Ronald’s job wasn’t spent sitting around, he was crossing the stage, his voice reaching its crescendo in time with what could have been music but the orchestra wasn’t present at the moment. Even without the instruments, it wasn’t difficult for Ronald to catch Naib’s attention. Naib would give it to him wholeheartedly without any question, except for the times he was dragged away by work. Quietly, he snuck into the back rows of the theatre, waving hello to the stagehands and to the security who recognised him enough to flash a smile before focusing back on the rehearsal.
None of the cast members seemed to have noticed their new audience member yet, that was good, Naib didn’t want to be a bother. If he could, he would come to the theatre every day while he still had his forced vacation. Cerulean eyes scanned over the stage, unable to spot a certain Ronald de Ness. He blinked, tilting his head in confusion, where did he go?
“Looking for me, detective?” A voice whispered behind the Nepali’s ear, startling him.
“Ack- you-” Naib gasped, whirling around in his seat to glare at the actor. Ronald had a cheeky grin spread across his face, his signature mask on his face, obscuring the burn scar Naib was terribly fond of under the painted wood.
“Let’s go somewhere else, hmm?”
---
“‘M sorry,” Naib mumbled, leaning against Norton’s chest. They were in one of the wings of the theatre. The actor called for a break once he figured Naib was in the audience, the package of doughnuts distributed among the cast.
“What for?”
“Ignoring you,” Naib tugged one of Norton’s sleeves close to him, playing with the ruffles and lace on the ends. The actor had forgone his coat, even if the weather was colder as a result of the season changing, it was easy for him to work up a sweat when he went under the spotlight. Norton pursed his lips, raising his upheld hand to pat Naib’s head, the past month was hard on them both. No one said it was going to be easy with their hectic schedules, though, it wasn’t wrong of him to tease his lover just a bit, right?
“Hmm, grievous crime indeed,” Norton agreed, struggling to hold his tongue when he saw the open look on Naib’s face, “how about a kiss?”
“A kiss…?” Naib flushed, looking behind to ensure that no one was looking at them. Affection wasn’t difficult for the detective to hand out but...in front of others? Norton must have caught on to his dear’s dilemma before he chuckled, bringing Naib’s hands to his lips.
“Just kidding, we can do it later at home. Do you want to stay to watch the rest of the play? It’s nearing the end now, we can go home together.”
“Mhm.”
---
Naib must have been more tired than he thought. He couldn’t stay awake until the end of the play and ended up falling asleep along the way. Someone must have been kind enough to drape Norton’s coat over him like a blanket. He woke up to someone jostling his shoulder and a familiar voice telling him it was time to go home. The last time he faced a scenario like this, it caused an uproar in the media where someone took a picture of Norton carrying Naib home (why the actor did that was beyond Naib, he did, however, give him an earful when he caught word about it).
“No carrying,” Naib slurred, getting up to readjust his hair and clothes, handing the article of clothing back to its owner.
“No carrying,” Norton agreed, taking the detective’s hand in his as he walked them out of the theatre.
It was late when they came out, the sun having set an hour or so ago. Norton was struggling just a little whilst walking home, it seemed they both underestimated how tired Naib would be once he got the okay to take a break. The man was half asleep while walking, leaning heavily against the actor’s side and holding his hand tightly so they wouldn’t get separated. Arriving home was a relief for the both of them, Naib was evidently, too tired for dinner. The moment he got past the threshold, he marched down the hallway to their shared room to strip and change into his nightclothes, all whilst insisting his partner do the same. It was rare for Naib to be so willful about rest out of all things, but Norton welcomed the change if it meant his lover could sleep.
“Norton.”
“Hmm?” The man opened his eyes, his brain already drifting off into the dream realm.
“Goodnight,” Naib leaned up from where he was held against the actor’s chest, holding that scarred face in his own calloused hands before placing a small kiss on his forehead. He didn’t miss the stunned look on his partner’s face, a smug smile on his face before he re-burrowed himself back into Norton’s chest. It took another moment for Norton to re-anchor himself in the sea of emotions he was feeling. Was it possible for a grown man to be this cute? He looked down at the bundle in his chest and confirmed that it was in fact, possible. Perhaps the scenario was ridiculous or he was just being silly, but he couldn’t help but indulge himself by placing a small kiss on Naib’s hair, holding the shorter man tighter to himself.
It was a good night indeed.