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The majority of people would say that Fact was unable to smile, always too hung up on work or correcting others to express any positive emotion. But the majority of people weren’t Rick. Rick had imprinted Craig’s smile into his consciousness almost a year prior but every time he saw it, it was as if it was the first time again. He appreciated every little expression Craig would make, whether it was a small smile, an exchanged smirk when sharing the same thought, or full on laughter when Rick would say something absolutely ridiculous. Though the sight was rare, it was always easy for Rick to get a smile or two with enough teasing, and today Rick wanted to see it.
The two lay on Rick’s couch at his small apartment, they didn’t live together but practically lived at each other’s places. The TV was on low volume, playing some random western movie Rick had found at the dollar store. Craig sat on the opposite side of the couch, flipping through some books he had picked up earlier at the library. Most of their nights were spent in comfortable silence, mentally unwinding after a long day at their soul draining office. Even Rick didn’t have the energy to be his usual reckless self.
Rick adjusted himself, stretching out his legs and putting his arms behind his head with a loud exhale. His green eyes glanced over to the sitting form to his right, smiling as he observed the man’s bored expression while flipping through the pages. He wiggled his arm out from under his head and reached towards Craig’s shoulder, lightly rubbing it.
Craig peeked over his book at Rick, lowering the hardcover. “Hm?” His head tilted slightly with the noise. He placed a hand over Rick’s, thumb rubbing small circles over the back of his hand. “Get yerself’ over here, hun.” Rick’s sweet talk never failed on his partner, his face flushed as his mouth wanted to tug into a smile at the nickname. The black haired man grabbed a bookmark from the side table and placed it in the book, setting it on the side table.
Craig slid his feet out of his slippers and scooted towards Rick who was adjusting himself; He laid his head against the sofa’s arm rest as he brought his legs onto the cushions. Rick’s outstretched arms welcomed Craig into a warm hug, the smaller man's hands found their way behind Rick’s back as he held him close. The two laid in that position for a few quiet minutes, simply taking in the other’s presence as Rick felt Craig’s familiar weight on his chest. Rick brought a hand to the crook of Craig’s jaw, where it met his ear, raising his head to make eye contact. The dirty blonde placed a quick kiss on his nose, feeling the warmth radiating from his face. Craig closed his eyes at the kiss, his mouth still unmoving in a content expression.
Rick frowned slightly, “Where’s that pretty little smile a’ yours?”, his thumb rubbing back and forth on Craig’s tinted cheek. Half lidded pink eyes met Rick’s green. “What about it?”
“I like the way it looks on ya.” Rick shrugged as Craig quietly placed a few kisses on his neck.
“What I’m gathering from this, you don’t like the way I normally look? Quite a rude thing to say to the man you share a bed with.” Craig pulled his head away, lifting up his right arm and wrapping a piece of Rick’s hair around his index finger.
“Don’t go twistin’ my words, you know what I meant honey.”
“What did you mean then?” Craig laid his head back down on his chest, peeking upwards while waiting for a response. If Rick wanted to see his smile, he’d have to earn it. His hand continued toying with Rick’s hair, moving it down towards his sideburns which grew into his beard. He scratched gently up his jaw.
“Hidin’ that smile just for complements, huh?” Rick chuckled as he ran a hand up and down Craig’s back. “Mhm.” Craig nodded slightly with the affirming noise.
The blonde let out another giggle, Craig held back a smile at the noise. He could hide it all he wanted but the adventurer knew how to play dirty. Rick reached his hand towards the back of Craig’s neck where his hairline ended. The area had always been extremely sensitive, any touch would practically send goosebumps all over. A few fingers ran gently, causing Craig to let out a small noise and then another out of protest.
“Stop ittt….” Craig’s voice was on the verge of a whine but was just above a grumble. Rick grinned, using his left to grab a gentle hold of his chin. He lifted Craig’s face towards his, quickly pressing a chaste kiss on his lips. Craig tried to hide his mouth, face already a bright red from Rick’s affections. His calloused hand continued to tickle at the skin, making Craig tense up as the feeling became more ticklish than sensitive. “Lemme see it then!”
Rick was relentless, peppering kisses at the corners of Craig’s lips, upon his cheekbones and lifting up his glasses to reach the corners of his shut eyes. The black haired man was beet red at this point, temperature bordering a fever. If he genuinely wanted Rick to stop, he would’ve easily stated it earlier with no problem; but this overbearing affection is all the man wanted after such a long day.
The feather-like sensation intermingled with the fluttering in his chest soon became too much as Craig started giggling into full on laughter. His laugh was giggly, high-pitched and full of quick snorts here and there. It was perfectly imperfect. To Rick, the sound by itself was lovely but the sight was heavenly. Rick’s face became plastered with a dumb lovestruck smile as he took in all of Craig’s facial features as he laughed. The way his eyes shut tightly, nose crinkled and mouth upturned into a toothy smile. Rick burst into a giggle fit shortly after as Craig fought back, hands starting to tickle the sensitive areas on his sides.
The two continued this war as laughter filled the room, both refusing to give up. Their stomachs started to become sore as they laughed harder than they had laughed before. Craig was the first to slow down with quick panting breaths, trying to keep composure. He brought his face towards Rick and pressed a few kisses on his cheeks, Rick lowered his hands just below the back of his neck as he leaned into the affection. The battle seemed to subside for a minute or two as the pair calmed down.
Craig’s hands carefully found their way onto Rick’s waist. The cowboy caught on.
“Now don’t you try anythin’ sugar!” He giggled as Craig’s mouth met his. The kiss was tender as both stayed silent, until Rick felt a familiar smile rise against his lips. Craig’s hands started tickling again as Rick broke apart the kiss with a loud cackle. “WHY YOU-!” Rick’s hands went back to their original spot as the two erupted in laughter once more. The two lost the ability to breathe after they fell off the couch.