Chapter Text
Dottore was seated behind his desk, hunched over a mass of papers and notes, his mask obscuring half of his face as usual.
It was a regular day or rather was supposed to, until the door to his office creaked open, Dottore didn't look up merely continuing to work. Pantalone had taken a stop there just to simply check up on his man before leaving to work himself. Dottore had grown used to Pantalone's entrances so he didn't pay it much mind.
Pantalone stepped closer and reached out a hand, gently nudging Dottore’s chin to the side. "Head to the side, love" Pantalone murmured. "Your mask has stabbed me in the face too many times. Do try to remember that I have a face as well, hm?"
Dottore’s movements stilled at the touch, almost leaning into the gentleness of it before he turned his head obediently, his fingers still on the pen he was using to write with. His mask scraped lightly against the fabric of Pantalone’s coat as he turned his head to the side, the sharp beaks tip catching for just a moment before he allowed his husband to kiss his cheek. The kiss was brief, gentle and warm. Pantalone's lips pressed into the mans cheek just below where his mask laid. These kinda kisses were rather rare or done without much thought, just a quick touch. Both of them much more preferred regular lip kisses or pecks, but there were times like now, where one would decide on something else.
"Much better" Pantalone said with a smile, brushing a few stray strands of hair from Dottore’s forehead as he pulled away.
He then leaned in again, as if he seemed to have forgotten something. His fingers lightly cupped Dottore’s face once more, coaxing him to look up.
Dottore’s eyes flicked up from the paper in front of him, the one he had JUST turned back to. "Enough, enough already. I have to work. One kiss was enough." He tried to shoo his husband away but he knew it was to no avail. Even as the words left Dottore’s lips, there was something in his expression, a slight flush creeping up the features of his face that gave him away. He didn't really have 'enough' of it.
And of course Pantalone took full advantage of that. His lips found Dottore’s cheek again, this time with more force, pressing harder, as if to make a point. "Don’t be so uptight love" He kissed his husband’s cheek once more, letting his lips linger even as Dottore began to squirm. He could feel the way the mans body stiffened shortly after, just sitting and accepting. How cute.
Pantalone pressed another one to his left cheek, right under the cheekbone before pulling away.
"Honestly" Dottore huffed. His hand lifted slightly, attempting to push Pantalone’s persistent lips away from his face.
Pantalone chuckled "Oh? Not so fond of me, darling?" He teased. "You're blushing, and you dare push me away?"
Dottore’s face turned an even deeper shade of crimson. He obviously did enjoy it, but showing affection at work was rare for them! They usually kept that for their at-home endeavors.
Pantalone couldn’t help himself. He found it utterly endearing. He had to tease the man just a little bit more. "Mmm" he hummed in thought. Then he leaned in again, now his finger lingered on his own cheek. He didn’t have to say much more, the gesture itself was enough. "And one for me?" His voice came out in more of a pitch, obviously teasing as his finger tapped his own cheek in an exaggerated fashion, clearly expecting a response.
Dottore sighed softly. Without a word, he leaned forward, turned his head and pressed one of the softest of pecks to Pantalone's cheek. It was quick, brief ans barely there.
Pantalone’s expression faltered the moment it happened. "That" he began "was not what I had in mind."
He leaned in closer, his face mere inches from Dottore’s now. "I’ve been married to you for as long as I can remember, Zandik. And you can’t even kiss me properly? When have you grown to detest me as such?"
Dottore stiffened immediately. Detest? He barely had time to process the words before Pantalone’s face moved even closer, now staring him down.
"Kiss your husband properly, or I’ll never approve of your papers as quickly as I do now. You wouldn’t want that, would you?"
The words were half-mockery and half-serious, but they had the desired effect. Dottore though outwardly unbothered, (or trying to act so), couldn’t help the slight flush that crept up his neck. He could rarely tell if the man was joking or being serious. It wasn’t the first time that Dottore found himself bewildered by Pantalone’s mix of affection and 'manipulation'.
It was maddening and he adored it.
Without a second left to spare Dottore’s fingers then slid around Pantalone’s jaw, pulling his husband closer and keeping him steady. His gaze softened beneath the mask, eyes locked onto Pantalone’s lips for just a second before he leaned in placing a kiss on Pantalone’s cheek. It was gentle but not a quick as the first one. This one lingered.
Then, Dottore slowly trailed his lips downward as he pressed another kiss just above his jaw. After a few seconds, Dottore pulled back, his fingers still resting lightly on Pantalone’s face as he watched him.
"There" he said. "Now don’t bring up me ‘detesting’ you ever again, what a lie that is." He tsked.
"Much better" Pantalone murmured with approval. His fingers briefly brushed Dottore’s own. "Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it dear?"
Dottore rolled his eyes playfully. "Of course not, I'm not used to showing affection in the workplace. You know that."
Oh but of course Pantalone knew that, thats exactly why he pushed him to do so. It was fun to tease him and it was cute to watch the doctors face turn a cute red shade.
And with that, the brief exchange ended. Pantalone left and Dottore returned to his papers, though his fingers did absently stroke his cheek, right where Pantalone’s lips had lingered earlier.