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Matthias Shaw, spymaster of the Alliance, was in a foul mood. He had been since the smallest oversight from his last mission led to an incident that in the end caused five minor explosions, three fights, an unlucky cat, and a broken leg for him. He had been stuck in bed for a week by this point and it was driving him insane. He needed to be out there working. He knew the damned healers could fix it up in a heartbeat but the head healer said to let it heal the natural way, something about keeping him from getting resistant to magical healing.
His lover, Flynn Fairwind walked into the bedroom, bag full of ingredients for whatever concoction he had planned for dinner. “Evening love, how are you feeling?” He kissed his cheek and smoothed Shaw’s copper hair out of his face.
Shaw leaned into his touch and sighed, “I’m losing my damned mind. I’m used to being in one place for long periods of time but usually it’s with a goal or intention not this… mindless waiting!”
“I know love.” Flynn kissed his forehead. “I think if you want I can move you over to the living room, lay on the couch for a change of pace for the day.”
Shaw sighed in an annoyed agreement and with some effort Flynn was able to gently take him to the living room and lay him down. It was nice to get out of the room even if he was still stuck in the house. “You haven’t been cleaning” He noted, looking at some of Flynn’s things laid around, including a book right next to his head.
“Oh… erm… Was gonna save that for later. Too busy taking care of the love of my life?” Flynn gave a cheeky smile. “I’ll clean up while dinner’s cooking.” He promised.
“Uh-huh.” Shaw seemed skeptical but didn’t push too hard. He grabbed the book by his hand and skimmed it as Flynn went into the kitchen to start preparing dinner. It was… garbage. Smutty, derivative garbage.
“I can’t believe you enjoy these so much.” He commented as Flynn came back into the living room. He flipped back to the page that Flynn had been on and started reading out loud, “‘Phineas blushed looking up at the much taller man, he felt so small and it excited him.’”
“You can’t just start in the middle like that!” Flynn protested. “You lose all sense of flow and character story!”
“Yes I am sure reading the last few chapters would really help me with ‘consumed by need, fabric was being ripped off of them, Grant was fighting every urge to not shift.’”
Flynn grabbed a pair of boots from the middle of the floor to put away, “You see, Grant is a Worgen who still struggles with the curse after it led to his wife’s death. You’ve missed so much character building! Grant is allowing himself to find love again but is afraid of hurting Phineas!”
Shaw raised an eyebrow and continued to read excerpts out loud as Flynn commented and replied as he cleaned. Despite himself, he was enjoying it and seeing Flynn desperately claim that no it really was good and deep when they both knew it was mindless entertainment. Shaw teased but he didn’t mind his lover’s baffling taste. It was what made Flynn the man he loved.
“So in conclusion, you’re wrong and need to start the series from the beginning.” Flynn finished after a particularly long rant about the deep lore behind “The Worgen’s Mage”. He had finished cleaning and cooking by this point and was bringing out two bowls for them to share. He carefully moved Shaw’s leg so he could rest it on his lap while they ate.
“I am sure it is world shattering. Though to be honest, it’s not the worst romance piece I’ve read.” He admitted as he began eating.
“No? Now I AM curious what you’ve read.”
“You wouldn’t believe how many written stories about King Anduin and the Black Prince come across my desk, either as a joke from the rest of SI:7 or a genuine belief there’s a code in it.” He took another bite, not elaborating as Flynn watched him waiting for more details.
“You’re not going to elaborate on that, my dear sweet love?”
“Confidential.”
“I can’t tell if you’re joking or not.”
“Regardless, I might just read the rest of these just for something to do.”
“So you DO like it!”
“I never said that.”