Chapter Text
Twisted Fate, after all, was glad about how things had turned out. Right now, lying in bed, next to a sprawling, snoring Malcolm on a lazy morning, after finishing one of the few jobs they took nowadays, the wounds of the past seemed to melt away. They hadn't had it easy. Friendship, partnership, betrayal, emotional constipation and a long time to realize and then cope with their feelings for each other, but they'd made it in the end.
Tobias took his time to take in the sight in front of him. Suppressing the urge to close Malcolm's nostrils, or put his cold hand down the other man's pants, he just basked in the morning light. Bilgewater was as loud as ever outside their apartment, but he didn't mind it too much now. He was used to it, and lately the sounds felt so far away. Their bed was a place outside of space and time. Kraken Goddess, he had gotten so soft lately. Corny, sappy, and all for this guy? Really? Malcolm Graves? He chuckled to himself taking in the sight of his partner, still sleeping like the baby he was.
His tan skin glinted in the warm sunlight, accentuating the freckles on his skin from a life of seafaring and crime. All of the scars he knew shone, some were faded, some fresh and bright. His hair was as fluffy and long as usual, compelling Tobias to run his fingers through it. His now peppered beard, attractive as always, also looked like it was begging for some scratches. He did indeed look like a slobbering sleeping dog. He smelled like one too. Tobias spent some more minutes studying the curves of his face, the purse of his lips, the rise and fall of his chest and the bobbing of his Adam's apple that he knew so well already. At last, he allowed himself to press his lips ever so lightly on the other man's shoulder, and got up to get some breakfast. Just like a dog, the sleeping man would be roused by the smell, stomping in the kitchen to demand a bite. Tobias couldn't wait.
His nose woke up before his mind. He immediately opened his eyes and shot up. He was a man of pure instinct, and he hunted the smell of Tobias's breakfast soup and meat like a deadly hunter. He could feel his mouth watering, expecting the sweet taste of his prey. He stalked into the kitchen.
"Malcolm, for God's sake, pants!"
This snapped him from his fantasy. His partner was in front of the small stove, wearing light tan pants and an oversized, almost see-through white shirt. Malcolm's mind was overwhelmed by the temptation of both the food and the other's man body, that he could only catch glimpses of right now. Tobias knew how crazy it drove him when he wore Malcolm's shirts.
"Do not step in the kitchen without pants, you dog. I'm not repeating myself, I can very easily throw the leftover soup down the drain"
Malcolm's heart dropped at this. He wouldn't actually… would he? The sly, cruel fox. How dare he.
"Fine, you bastard" he mumbled while returning to the bedroom to fish some pants from a drawer. It's not like he was naked; Tobias was definitely overreacting, the little spoiled princess couldn't handle him eating breakfast in his gruff manly glory. Yeah, that was it, surely.
And yet, a smile creeped up Graves's lips as he thought of his partner as his spoiled princess. He shook the thought away, putting on the first pants he laid eyes on and even having the decency to throw on one of the stained, light shirts that he was used to wearing in this warm weather.
This time, he actually minded his step and tried to be as silent as possible as he headed into the kitchen. The man was surprisingly stealthy for someone so large and boisterous. His prey was none the wiser, and as Tobias mindlessly stirred some soup, Malcolm pounced. Tobias was caught from behind in the snare, the deadly embrace of Malcolm's arms, as he locked his sight on his naked neck, kissing and biting ferociously.
"For fuck's sake, Malcolm, you dog! Don't drool on me while I'm making breakfast, you're filthy."
"Mhh. - - - mhhh…" Malcolm was unbothered and continued savoring the taste of his spoiled princess' skin, as she desperately tried to wriggle herself free.
"I'm serious. I'm burning the meat."
Malcolm was stunned. He immediately retreated, a kicked puppy look on his face.
Tobias lowered the heat on the pan and turned around. Malcolm was looking up at him with the biggest eyes he'd ever seen of the brute. He couldn't take it anymore. His hand moved by itself as it reached Malcolm's beard under his chin, and started scratching.
"Aoohh, that's good". Malcolm murmured with a raspy morning voice as he leaned into Tobias's touch.
He smiled, his heart full.
"Sit down, you dog. Breakfast is almost ready."