Twisted Fate
This man was his own kind of mystery, not showing much but just enough not to seem suspicious to Graves. It's been almost 4 months that they started this thing they called partnership, which looked more like a funny adventure between money, robbing and drinks. And he still couldn't understand fully the card master. A real snake. So far, they had a lot of chance or as he may say « Lady Luck is smiling to us », tucking his hat with a cunning smile. This damned hat. This was one of the things he learned, at least.
The more frustrating for the outlaw was the almost continuous presence of Twisted Fate in his mind. Even when absent, he wouldn't let him at peace, though there was no particular reason to think about the man. Annoying. He supposed that was because he didn't trust him yet, after all, 'betrayals' weren't a rare thing in Bilgewater. Maybe one day, even if this thought left a light bitter taste.
And yet, here he was, not able to avoid this kind of thoughts about a man he wanted to know and not at the same time. It was just something to get a headache.
He found himself watching more often the card master, his habits, trying to get the man and sometimes he wasn't even aware of the staring. It caught the latter's attention several times and after the first, he would play with him a little, to the point of flirting openly. This particularly got Graves's nerves, who just wanted to yank the gypsy's collar and wip that smirk with a crushing kiss. Wait, what ? No, nonono.
It was unnerving to see the way his thoughts turned into something more involved as time passed.
And it took another sense for the outlaw when his partner disapeared then showed up 3 days later, like nothing happened.
« Where the fuck were you ? » his voice got an angry tone, not even trying to hide it.
« Chill, I wasn't really far. » the reply sounded like it was quite ordinary, with a hint of sass.
« And yet you went missing without telling me ! What were you doing ? »
« Just fucking my heat out. No need to get mad at me for this kind of crap. »
This answer cut Graves before he could reply something sharp, now speechless. Twisted Fate didn't expect at all this silence.
« A heat ? You're an omega ? » even his tone showed his disbelief.
« Yes ? And it changes something ? » that was it. The gypsy was taken aback by the fact that the latter didn't know this yet. He grew a little defensive, it wouldn't be the first time that an alpha had looked down on him after learning his 'condition'. Fucking stereotypes and all the bullshit that comes with it. As if being an omega meant not being skilled, or at least, not as much as a beta or an alpha.
It made the cardmaster roll his eyes, bracing himself for a mocking comment he would brush away without showing the light effect upon him.
But again, the outlaw took some time to answer, as if aware that he shouldn't mess up. « No, it doesn't. It's just... I didn't know. » his phrasing was cautious, looking with attention TF's possible reaction but this man had indeed a good poker face. « I'll will not bother you, as long as you mind your own business concerning your heats. »
The conversation went less awkward, enough for Twisted Fate to relax again. « What do you mean ? » He knew what the other meant by this complicated sentence but he wanted to have a bit of fun.
He saw Graves get a slight fluster, a good reward that reminded him how much he liked to play with his patience. « You already know, idiot ! »
« No, tell me. » oh he got a hint of red on his cheek. Lovely.
« I don't give a fuck about who you fuck. Just don't come here to brag. » and once it was said, he went out grumbling his anger.
The gypsy watched him go, smirking for the sweet torment he inflicted to his partner. A shame he doesn't even see the offer. Thinking of it, bedding this particular alpha sounded indeed appealing, but the reasons why were a mystery. I wonder if he is as 'dominant' in the bedroom.
An omega. He is a fucking omega.
He said the truth when he admitted that it didn't change things at all. But he still couldn't get over that fact. His body couldn't get over that fact. Because all this time he questionned this peculiar attraction for the cardmaster, he never really thought of this relationship perspective. What he took for suspicion turned into something more personnal.
And now that he had learned the gypsy was an omega, it made things only more difficult. At night, his thoughts would wander again, always about this man, and it started to stir his interest for him.
A few lonely released were found the night Graves allowed his mind to explore further the possibilities, just out of curiosity for the first time.
One thing scared him, maybe more than being found out by his partner : that he started getting fond of him just because he was an omega. Then it would mean that all this mess of feelings was due to their biology. Anything but that, please.
Plus their partnership was not supposed to go so well and succesful, part of the outlaw expected it to be stopped a few months latter. It seemed too easy the way they worked together, like a really rare combination of their own skills.
The more it last, the less he was sure of being able to get over the possible end.
What a dumbass. For the long hours he remained awake debating his feelings, it sorted out that he was hopeless. Ok, I may have a thing for this bastard. Deep inside he knew what was truly up, that it was more deep than this but he didn't want to explore this.
Between heists and lively nights in the bars, Twisted Fate indeed noticed the changing behaviour of the outlaw toward him. Not that he was more distant but he started acting strange when flirted with, seeming put off and not knowing how to react. He came to think that maybe he didn't like men after all and just showed his discomfort now. But Graves said nothing about it, not complaining or anything.
One time though, an evening they got a good round of alcohol, he answered to the teasing, seeking his touch and his scent, in the corner of the bar they were sitting. But nothing went further, they were too drunk and he had to carry the burly man to his bed because he had fallen asleep leaning on his shoulder. Too bad.
All this took another direction when they had to share a room, in a far too small inn. What a great idea.
In itself, it wasn't a real matter : each one had his own bed – small but one anyway. The problem came later, once the light was out and sleep needed. Graves tried indeed to get some rest but he was kept in a troubled state of mind because of the proximity with the cardmaster. His body craved something he was too afraid to find out and to ask, something almost in his grasp but that he would refuse.
Focusing on everything but the quiet noises from the gypsy, he drifted away in a dreamless sleep.
The second night in the same inn brought the answer to why he was so restless : his rut started, though it was supposed to happen a lot later.
It was the least pleasant feeling he experienced, an icy shudder running his frame, quickly replaced by a sudden warmth. Graves rose in an instant, trying to process what was happening but it was like each of his senses wanted to make his situation worse.
Getting out of the bed, he took off without care his shirt, the fabric leaving an uncomfortable sensation on his skin. The temperature was the same yet he felt like burning from the inside, with a growing need impossible to misinterpret. He wanted, so much but couldn't find how to appease this craving.
« Graves ? »
Shit. During all this time he hadn't registered the presence of an omega in the room but now it was difficult to ignore.
Twisted Fate was awake, sitting on his own bed, watching the man standing in the middle of the darkened room. With such low light, the outlaw couldn't see his expression but anyway it was the least of his problems.
I have to get out. Now.
It was the last rational thought and he knew it. If he was indeed in rut then he had to get away from TF before he could make something he would regret. He heard his name said a second time, with more concern in it as he went to the door.
But he couldn't go out, a hand grabbing his arm in an attempt to keep him in. The cardmaster was here, just in his reach and he made him turn to face him. As reflex, Graves took a step back to the door, as afraid of the other.
In this instant Twisted Fate understood, as sharp as the scent that assaulted his senses, so much he brought a hand to his mouth to keep himself from making a noise.
But the sight in itself was enough to get the situation, the rut leaving the outlaw flushed from head to shoulders, heavy breathing. Even in the dark he could see lust spark his eyes and this got right to his heart. Never he had seen his partner in such disarray and it turned him on more than he would admit. It's at this moment he decided he wanted Graves, no matter what would happen next. He would die happy, if it meant being the one targetted by such passion.
« Malcolm ? » he purred the name as he reduced the distance between them. The latter hadn't made a move, looking entranced by the man before him.
Now or never.
Twisted Fate took his chance and caught his partner in a heated kiss.