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“Amazing,” Mac whispered from his spot between Murdoc’s legs, absently squeezing along the one still hooked over his shoulder.
“I know,” Murdoc replied automatically, inwardly wincing at the intensifying prickles of reawakening muscles. “You can put my leg down now, ’m not going anywhere.”
Mac complied, squeezes turning into soothing massaging. Murdoc’s movements were stiff, cautious. His discomfort, obvious.
“You OK?”
Murdoc hissed quietly, his hip twinging. Old, improperly healed injuries, and his violent lifestyle were catching up.
Worth it though, yielding to Angus’ breaking composure, watching him indulge desires he’d fought to hold back. Why deny him(self) that pleasure, when their entire cat-and-mouse game leading to tonight had been his own?
“Murdoc?”
“Yeah, leg just fell asleep, it’s fine.”
“Good.” Giving Murdoc’s thighs a final squeeze, Mac leaned forward and planted his hands on his bed, boxing Murdoc in underneath him, “’Cause I’m not done with you yet.” He dipped his head, laying soft kisses on Murdoc’s stomach.
Stark contrast to the sparring and aggression marking the start of their evening. Tension and frustration had built far too long, and even someone as accommodating, softhearted, as Angus had limits. Only Murdoc knew what lie beneath, and he could handle it. Why not allow Angus to burn off what he deemed too dangerous for everyone else’s eyes?
Indeed, Angus could be a rough, dominating lover—he’d expected no less—but never cruel. There’d been no pain without pleasure, or reassurance. Honest words, kind eyes. Gentle hands that held his own, and ran through his hair, and caressed every inch, including his scars. Compassion toward the souvenirs bred by his penchant for violence and destruction. Everything Angus stood against.
That kind of special, affectionate attention paralyzed him.
Murdoc moaned and gripped Mac’s biceps. Encouragement for whatever came next.
Mac sighed against skin, “You’re so…” Kisses deepened, tongue pressing against bruises previously left on Murdoc’s chest, “So–”
A short tug on his hair warned against putting matching teeth marks around this nipple. “Leave that attached, hmm?”
Ah, the defiance in Angus’ eyes. The temptation. The careful studying. Weighing entertainment against whatever retribution would be doled out.
Murdoc nearly laughed, pushing Mac’s bangs back.
Truly, someone after Murdoc’s heart. Stubborn, and lively, and a troublemaker in his own right. Someone worthy of his defense’s deterioration. If this was defeat, he couldn’t have dreamed a better adversary.
Despite Murdoc’s silent surrender (near encouragement), Mac slowly pulled his tongue back in, and put on a most innocent smile. “I wasn’t gonna do anything.” He settled in against Murdoc, nuzzling into Murdoc’s neck.
“You’re a handful, Angus.” Murdoc wrapped an arm around Mac and held him close, careful to avoid the scratches torn across Mac’s back. His skin tingled under the tired, lazy exploration of Mac’s fingers.
Cuddling hadn’t been a thing with Amber; No pull, and their personalities didn’t mesh in a way that’d allowed it.
Murdoc could now confidently say cuddling (Angus) beat sex. Peak intimacy. Cozy. Peaceful. Safe. Simply being with Angus, and spending time together.
But, he’d cornered himself. After all his teasing and flirting, only to loudly declare:
Just Kidding!!
Well, not much would get him thrown out quicker. Saying no would be an admission. To what, he’d never quite figured out.
Sex was fine. Physically enjoyable, but not even the most fun one could have while naked. Magical, and life-changing, and unparalleled? Supposedly? Looking and appreciating were not the best parts, so he’d been told.
Condescending laughs. Derisive glances. Heavy implications. It was supposed to hurt. It didn’t. People’s misinterpretations were a them problem. One easily solved, if they didn’t treat his skills and reputation as all that mattered.
Sex was a chore, and if it didn’t fill a box on the arbitrary checklist of life and relationships, he’d leave it. Meet someone, get married, have kids. Tried it, boring, not for him.
What hurt, was people treating any deviation as a condemnation to perpetual unhappiness. Cassian brings him unmatched joy, and they acted like he was mistaken.
You got full custody?, *suspicious glances imply he’s abusive*, Never complain about using protection again, right!, Oh, so he’s a problem child? Very noble to stick around!, Boys require a woman to raise them!, Aww, Daddy’s Little Gatekeeper!, It must be sOoOoO misERABLE—
For people to martyr them over some narrowly defined Perfect Life he never wanted, especially in his son’s presence…!!!
An aggressive roast sent them packing, but did little to soothe the sting. Their only savior, proximity.
His happiness just looked different! Cassian taking a liking to Angus was a bonus, but remarrying wasn’t the answer. He wasn’t replacing Amber, or looking to force Angus into another checkbox. What he wanted with Angus was different. Marriage was loaded with connotations, about “love” and feelings, and what the pinnacle of relationships must be.
It made him irrationally angry. His feelings were complex, and ambiguous, and somehow different from others’. Tied, again, to something foreign everyone except him apparently understood.
“Murdoc…” Mac murmured, burrowing impossibly closer, “–built for endurance.” His fingers lightly traced a particularly stiff, raised scar.
Oh that kind of endurance.
“You’ve survived a lot.”
“Oh yes, never a shortage of plans going wrong. Or people trying to kill me.” Murdoc brushed Mac’s persistently unruly bangs to one side. “Perks of ~The Job~, I suppose.”
“That’s what bothers me. You could be out there getting seriously hurt, or killed, and Cassian would be all alone, and I’d never know.”
“Sure you would. Either he’ll call you, or the school will.”
“Wait, you made me–” Mac shifted so he could look up at Murdoc, an incredulous smile on his face. “I’m his emergency contact??”
“You’re surprised?”
“What am I? Friend? Cousin? Long-lost brother?”
“My partner.” Murdoc’s heart swelled as Mac cupped his cheek, his thumb gently rubbing circles. “It’s vague, but I wanted something open to interpretation.”
“I like it.”
“Then…you’d like to be partners with me?”
Mac playfully bumped their noses together. “Is it too soon for pet names, because I have a killer one for you…”