Work Text:
Paul couldn't sleep. He blamed two things: first, his broken AC, that was failing to keep him cool in the first heat of the month of June, and second, whoever the hell was texting him this early in the morning. As his phone buzzed loudly on his beside table, Paul groaned at the noise and tried to hide his head under his pillow. Just as Paul began to wander what kind of idiot would be texting somebody this early in the morning, he smirked when he realised just what sort of idiot would do just that. Arthur Ira Garfunkel , Paul’s boyfriend. Deciding that Art would probably call him if it was something desperately urgent, Paul snuggled into his pillow and dropped back off into a light doze dreaming about the curly haired boy awake far too early in the morning. Paul stirred a while later when his phone buzzed again. Paul decided to check it. The phone screen lit up and Paul grinned lazily when he saw Art's name -
UNREAD MESSAGE:
05:37am
Hey Paul,
I'm heading out for a walk. Heading your way. Could I interest you in breakfast?
Love you, Artie xx
NEW MESSAGES:
06:01am
Hey Paul (again)
I almost got to your place when I realized the time (!) Figured you probably aren't awake yet haha
Say I come back at 10ish?
Love you, Artie xx
06:02am
Ps. I'll buy you breakfast from starbucks if you buy me brunch <3
Paul grinned as he read the messages and typed back with sleepy, clumsy fingers.
6:09am
Go back to bed, you freak 😛
Paul couldn't resist teasing his boyfriend. Anyone else would have thought he was being mean, but he and Art had a very particular sense of humour - and flirting - that revolved around playful, constant teasing. Paul had almost dozed off again when his phone buzzed in his hands again, the screen bearing his boyfriends name illuminating his face -
6:10am
Good morning sleeping beauty. And what poetry he writes! Tell me Paul, is that from a new song your working on?
6:11am
“*you’re” Whoops :)
6:11am
Nah, only kidding ❤️❤️❤️ I love you really 🥺🥺
6:11am
10 sounds great - its when sensible people go out
6:11am
Now let me rest in peace, you freak xoxo
6:15am
Hey Paul (sleeping beauty)
You better have finished your beauty sleep by the time I arrive
Love you, Artie (freak) xx
6:16am
I'm freaking beautiful and you freaking love me for it, you freak
6:16am
( ur a cute freak though )
6:16am
( like really cute xx)
6:18am
Please go back to sleep Paul - you’re flirting is weird before 8am 😂
With a smile, Paul followed his boyfriend's directions and swam back under the covers of his bed.
Paul woke up a few hours later, just before ten, and wandered around his apartment, trying to get sensation back into his limbs after his long kip. The heat was still maddening and Paul already could feel beads of sweat drip from his hairline. But soon enough he heard what he was sure were Art’s footsteps in the corridor outside his apartment, so Paul dashed to the door, and tugged it open just as Art’s hand was about to knock on it. The two of them grinned at each other silently.
It was Paul who moved first, noticing the way the Art’s sweat had made his white t-shirt slightly transparent. He gulped visibly and Art smirked.
‘Hey, sleeping beauty,’ Art teased, ‘You’re finally awake, huh?’
'Gee - why are you all sweaty?' his gaze lingering a little too long at the way Art's damp shirt clung to his chest.
Art chuckled. 'Huh, gee, I dunno Paul - I've walked to your apartment like two times already this morning?'
Paul shook his head and willed himself to move his eyes up from Art’s chest. 'What do you want? A medal?' Paul smirked back, before adding quietly with a mischievous glint in his eye, 'Or do you want some other... reward.'
'Paul I -'
Art didn't finish whatever he was going to say, as his already red and flushed skin burned deeper as Paul stepped forward on his tippy-toes. Still too short to reach Art's lips, Paul peeled Art’s sweaty collar from his neck and pulled him further down until Paul's morning stubble was brushing against Art's chin. Paul pulled Art through the doorway, and Art had just enough sense of mind as Paul's fingers started pawing at his shirt to kick shut the door of Paul's flat. Paul's hands and fingers roamed over Art's chest and shoulders trailed along the sheen of hair on the top of this neck, feeling the dampness. Paul was about to nuzzle his face into Art's neck but the scent was already overpowering.
'Artie, you are gonna need a shower, baby,' Paul said, gently.
Art felt himself flush with embarrassment and pull away from Paul, but Paul pulled him back.
'C'mere,' Paul said taking Art's hand and led them to the bathroom.
Paul and Art eventually left Paul's’ place for “ breakfast”, but by the time they arrived - well, let's just say even Starbucks had stopped serving brunch.
‘I’m starving,’ Paul said as they lined up for their late-breakfast/lunch.
‘Well, you did insist on having a shower before we left Paul,’ Art teased quietly.
‘You stank - I was doing a service for the benefit of the public,’ Paul said.
‘Hmm, you certainly did a sort of service,’ Art hummed quietly with a wink.
Paul blushed and lightly slapped Art on the arm. ‘I cannot be held responsible for my feelings if you insist on exercising in a see-through shirt!’ he hissed back, trying hard not to laugh.
‘Ah! But it was only see-through because you weren’t awake and I had to walk your apartment twice,’ Art pointed an accusing finger into Paul’s chest.
Paul prodded Art’s chest back. 'Shut up.' Paul mumbled.
Art smirked knowing he had won their play-bickering.
Paul turned away from Art hiding his grin and shaking his head, muttering Art’s name over and over. Art felt the overwhelming need to kiss Paul right there and then, but was conscious of the people behind them in the queue, so instead Art fingers tapped Paul’s hand quietly requesting entry. Art felt his chest flutter when he felt Paul’s hand clasped around his.
The two of them were still holding hands by the time the cashier took their order.
Melted cheese from the toastie they ordered slid from Art's lips, leaving a small dribble on his chin. Paul adoringly gazed at his boyfriend, before cupping his cheek and letting his finger wipe the food from his chin.
'You're such a freak.' Paul said looking at Art with utter love and adoration.
'A cute freak, though, you must admit.' Art muttered back with twinkling blue eyes. He nuzzled his chin into Paul’s hand.
'Oh,' murmured Paul leaning into Art's lips, ' Very cute. '
THE END