Work Text:
Marvins work was stressful. That was obvious from the start. Customers were annoying, and it was cold out. He would do what he had to get done and go home, where he and Whizzer did whatever they wanted. Whizzer knew Marvin wasn’t “out” to his work. They thought Marvin and Whizzer were roommates. That they slept in separate beds in separate rooms, and never once gazed for a bit too long into each other's eyes. They haven’t even moved in together yet, but they acted like it. Whizzer barely ever went back to his own place. So when Marvin came home and asked Whizzer to go to a team building activity with him, he wasn’t sure what to think.
“Since when do you go to those?” He asked, brows raised.
“They let me bring someone along. It’ll be less dull with you there.” Marvin smiled, walking over to Whizzer, who was sitting on the couch. He wrapped his arms and legs around the taller, laying his head on his chest. “Please?”
“I’ll go. Do we want to do anything after?” Whizzer curled Marvin’s hair around his finger, then slowly let it fall away.
“Date night?” Marvin asked, glancing up.
“Date night.” He agreed, kissing Marvin’s forehead. “How was your day?” Marvin pulled his head back, setting his chin down instead and looking up at Whizzer.
“Annoying. These clients are so picky. This couple wants everything so specific, no house is built like they want it.” He groaned, burying his face down again. “I don’t know why they won’t just have something built instead of trying to find a place.” Marvin’s voice was muffled, but Whizzer could make it out. He nodded, running his fingertips up and down Marvin’s spine soothingly.
“Yeah, that sounds annoying. Do you want to talk about something else, turn your attention?” Marvin nodded. “Okay. What are we doing for dinner tonight? I can make something while you get the groceries, or the other way around.”
Marvin paused a bit, thinking “I’ll make something.” He decided.
Whizzer nodded. “And what time is that thing tomorrow? Do I need to head there on my own or will you be home first?”
Marvin cringed a bit. “All day tomorrow, but you don’t have to stay the whole time. To be honest, I didn’t even want to go, but it’s required.” He sighed.
“I’ll stay as long as you do. I’ll go pick up those groceries.” Whizzer took a breath, running his hands through the olders hair a few more times. “Love you.” He breathed; he kissed Marvin’s temple, squeezing his hand. Marvin looked up at him, eyes wide. They hadn’t said that before. Not while both of them were fully conscious, at least. Whizzer panicked a bit, blinking quickly and going to apologize, being stopped by Marvin’s lips on his. He relaxed into it quickly, allowing Marvin to lay with him a little bit longer. They lay like that for a moment, eventually their lips just spotted together; unmoving. Then Marvin pulled back.
“I love you too.” He whispered, pressing his forehead to Whizzer’s.
Whizzer went out to get groceries. They ate, and Marvin practically pulled him back to bed, laying down and curling up against him.
“Are you feeling alright, Marv?” Whizzer looked down at him, hands subconsciously going to rest on his hair and back. He never acted like this before. It’s only been a month or two, but- this was different.
“Yeah. Just a bit tired.” Marvin yawned. Whizzer listened to his breathing. Felt how his chest rose and fell. It evened, eventually. Relaxed into a soft rhythm that Whizzer could focus on as he fell asleep, matching to his own.
The next morning, Marvin’s alarm woke them. Whizzer shut it off, shaking Marvin to wake him a bit more. He wasn’t a morning person, unlike Whizzer. “I’ll go make something. Shower.” He placed a kiss to the shorters temple, pushing him off softly and leaving the room. He made some eggs, setting them on the table just as Marvin came back out. “Hey.”
“Hi.” Marvin yawned.
“Do you mind making coffee while I get ready?” Whizzer asked, running his hands across his bare arms to warm himself up. “And what time did you set the temperature to sixty degrees here? It’s cold as hell.” He sighed.
“It was set to eighty. I just wanted it to cool down, and forgot to change it to a normal temperature.” He explained
“Well, it’s seventy now. I’m gonna go change.” Whizzer walked past Marvin, brushing a soft kiss to his cheek as he did so.
He changed, then went to the bathroom to brush hair, teeth, and a few other necessities. He walked out to Marvin, who handed him a cup of coffee. “Thanks.”
“Are you ready?” Marvin asked, pulling on his red zip-up hoodie.
“Yeah. You’re wearing that to work? I thought you had to like- dress up or something.” He pushed his hair back. A few strands would often fall forward.
Marvin smiled. “Usually, but today we don’t have to be professional.”
“Then let’s go.” Whizzer returned the smile, grabbing Marvin’s hand to hold until they were forced away.
They walked down to the car, where Whizzer drove, since Marvin was still trying to finish his coffee. He preferred to have finished it before he got there. Whizzer chose to keep one hand on the wheel, placing the other on Marvin’s thigh. They made it to the building painfully quickly. Marvin looked around briefly, before quickly kissing Whizzer, then getting out. Whizzer followed, keeping a passable distance between them as they walked inside.
“So, what all does this activity consist of?” Whizzer asked, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
“It’s like- trust exercises or something.” Marvin cringed again.
“I can be your trust buddy, don’t worry.” Whizzer laughed, watching how Marvin visibly relaxed. Marvin’s always had social anxiety. He never mentioned it the first time around, but it’s been obvious. He’s more open about things like that with Whizzer now.
They went into a room, Whizzer waving awkwardly at the people who said hi. It was weird. These people had never met him. “How do they know who I am?” Whizzer muttered into Marvin’s ear.
“I mentioned you when I asked if I could bring anyone. They don’t know about the whole queer thing, but they know you exist.” He explained. Whizzer nodded.
They were maneuvered into a group, then off into a pair together. They were made to do various trust exercises, Marvin finding some way to make fun of each one. Whizzer just smiled. Soon they were able to leave, Marvin driving this time, getting them home. He parked in his usual spot, turning to look at Whizzer. “So. What do you want to do tonight?”
“Uhm… you choose dinner. Then we get ice cream and watch a movie… that’s all I can think of right now.” Whizzer shrugged. Marvin nodded. Once inside, Whizzer sat across from Marvin at the table, letting him hold his hand.
“Okay, so, what if we go to a nice restaurant for dinner, then we do ice cream and a movie, then we just relax for a bit. Start up a bath.” Marvin suggested. Whizzer smiled softly, nodding. His hand was brought up to Marvin’s lips, who kissed his knuckles before just holding it there.
“All my nice clothes are at my place.” Whizzer sighed, squeezing Marvin’s hand.
Hesitantly, Marvin nodded. “I’ll come pick you up. What’s your address?”
“It’s pretty far away, Marv.” He frowned.
“So? I’ll live. What’s your address?” He repeated, squeezing Whizzer’s hand.
He closed his eyes. “I’ll write it down for you, hand me some paper?” Marvin obliged, sliding a notepad over. Whizzer scribbled his address down, before walking over and kissing Marvin’s cheek. “See you later, doll.” Marvin smiled, holding his hand up in a wave.
Whizzer left the apartment, the crisp, winter air engulfing him. Breathing out, he watched as his breath clouded in front of him. His car door was cold. He turned up the heat, starting his car and beginning the drive back to his place.
His apartment felt dull compared to Marvin’s. He had no pictures. Everything was a mess. Dishes slowly grew mold in the sink. But he shrugged it off. Rummaging through his closet, he found a white dress shirt, in which he matched with brown jeans and some nice shoes he had. Setting them to the side, he turned on the shower, running his hand under the flowing water and adjusting the temperature until it was nice. Stepping in, he felt the water fully stream down his body as he washed away anything that may have gathered on his skin. He toweled himself off, pulling on the outfit he had laid out and blow drying his hair.
Just as he finished gelling back his hair, minus a few strands that refused to follow, there was a knock on his door. He stepped out of the bathroom, quickly grabbing his keys and shoving them into his pocket. Opening the door, he smiled as he found Marvin on the other side.
“Hey.” Marvin handed him a small bouquet of flowers. Whizzer smiled, stifling a small chuckle. He carefully slipped through the door, locking it before Marvin got any real look to the inside. He didn’t say anything.
“Hey! Thank you.” He leaned down to press his lips to Marvin’s, wrapping his arms around the others shoulders. “Let’s go?” He asked a moment later, pulling away. Marvin nodded, interlacing their hands and walking down to the car. The ride to the restaurant was peaceful, with Marvin’s hand locked with his, resting on his thigh. He felt more like himself with Marvin than he did on his own.
The restaurant was quiet. Marvin subtly kept his hand on Whizzer’s knee under the table, a welcoming feeling as they tried to keep a platonic passing distance between them. Despite the small comfort, he felt much more content once they were back home, plastic cups of frozen yogurt in hand, some thriller that Whizzer found playing in the background. Marvin had leaned into Whizzer quickly, relaxing into a comfortable space.
Eventually, the movie ended, leaving Whizzer practically asleep on the couch, Marvin in his arms.
“Do you want me to start that bath now or are you too tired?” Marvin asked softly, looking up at Whizzer the best he could.
He shook his head. “Not too tired. I need to change out of this eventually anyways.”
Marvin nodded. “I’ll come get you once it’s ready.” He stretched his head up to kiss Whizzer’s jaw, then stood and walked out of the room. Whizzer took the time to lazily unbutton his own shirt, discarding it in the laundry basket. He didn’t notice Marvin’s return until he rested his chin on Whizzer’s shoulder. “Baths ready.”
Whizzer nodded, following him into the bathroom. Marvin climbed in, allowing Whizzer to follow and lay onto his chest. He closed his eyes, returning the hold Marvin had on his hand, and just relaxed.
God, he loved this man.