Chapter 7
When Darwin awoke, he was surprised to find Gumball curled up on the floor beside the tank he slept in. It was cute, really. He was on his side with a pillow clutched to his chest, and a blanket tightly wound around himself. He'd obviously wanted to cuddle sometime in the middle of the night, but either he didn't want to wake Darwin, or the more likely option, he'd been too sleepy and didn't want to soak in the water. With a grunt Darwin gets up onto his feet and steps out of the tank to dry off with a towel, careful not to spatter water anywhere as he dried himself.
Gumball of course lifts his head and blinks blurrily up at Darwin as he changes from his sopping wet clothes, his ears tilted down from drowsiness; clearly not fully alert yet. Darwin shoots him a small smile, which gets a soft grunt from the cyan haired male who simply lays his head back down to nestle into his pillow, yawning. Darwin takes the opportunity to change into some actual clothes, though with a little glance over to Gumball as he's pulling his shirt on, he catches a glimpse of icy blue before it's gone again, although the other boy is given away by the light blush covering the bridge of his nose and cheeks.
"What?" Darwin pipes up, raising an eyebrow at the other who shrugs.
"Nothing." He replies, sitting up to stretch and arch his back, a shiver running down his spine.
Darwin shakes his head and smooths his clothing down with a little hum. Today was Friday, and he had one of his favorite electives today: music. After a while of practicing, he'd gotten over his stage fright and had little to no problem playing in the band. He'd built up his confidence over the last few years, too. Now he was more on Gumball's level with it, although Gumball's wasn't always true confidence. It was a shell of sorts that he would put up to keep himself upbeat as often as possible. Though it had fallen apart when Penny broke up with him, unfortunately. Darwin hoped to bring it back up, he'd always been great with making people feel better. Or at least he thought he was.
Another glance over at Gumball made his heart give a seemingly particular hard throb against his chest, causing the sea dweller's fins to flutter. Gumball has gotten to his feet by this point and threw his blankets onto his bed, shaking his head at them. Making beds are for the weak, so he's not going to. He doesn't even have to worry about doing it, anyways, Darwin always does it for him even though it's not his own bed. Rooming with someone who had OCD was great. Sometimes. However, as soon as the feline notices the time he gasps and throws his pillow down onto the ground in a small fit of anger.
"It's fucking four in the morning why am I awake?" He pouts, looking over at Darwin who just laughs and shrugs in response.
"I have no idea? It just happens sometimes, it's not that weird." He shuffles over to Gumball with his hands in his pockets.
"I guess." He shrugs, "but now we have more time to hang out before venturing into the pits of Mrs. Simian's hell."
Gumball coos at him, creeping up to him to slip his arms around Darwin's waist to nuzzle against his neck from behind, humming out in thought. Darwin smiles, leaning back into the taller male, shivering as Gumball's fingers somehow find their way to his chest to lightly trace the slight muscle definition. Not as though Darwin has a rock hard six pack, but it's still incredibly hot, and Gumball proudly informs his boyfriend of this, earning a stuttered oh and a light blush.
Darwin sighs, head tilting to rest on Gumball's shoulder as the other boy checks him out with the pads of his fingers and oh- yup that was definitely lips at work on his neck now. Clumsy, and every time he felt one of Gumball's fangs brush against skin as he nibbles on it, he jolts, but barely. Apparently not enough to bug him because he trails kisses up his throat just behind his jugular vein. However, Darwin squeaks out a 'stop' as Gumball's hands found their way under his shirt and were getting a little too close to gills-zone.
Gumball comes to a halt, breath washing over Darwin's throat in hot puffs. Then, he pulls away from him, "shit- I'm sorry did I do something wrong?"
"No- no just um. I know what you were hinting at but that's moving way too fast." Darwin says softly, turning to face the guilty looking Watterson.
"Oh. I didn't know-"
"It's fine. Don't feel bad. I'm just glad you listened to me." Darwin says, flashing him a bright smile as his hands smooth down his shirt.
Gumball's lips twitch up at the corners a moment before falling back into a frown, icy gaze staying expertly adverted from Darwin's own. He was guilty? Over such a small thing. Darwin gives a soft tsk under his breath and approaches him again, resting his hands on Gumball's shoulders as he shifts his weight to his tippy toes to give the taller male a sweet kiss.
Afterwards he pulls back, "I mean it." He reminds, "I just want to make sure things work out between us as a couple first of all. And it would be really awkward to…you know, have sexual intercourse before even finding out other's opinions on us simply being a thing."
"…that's a good point." Gumball agrees, ears lifting up from their previously drooped position. "I just got all worked up and stuff. I saw you change and…after you showed Tobias who's boss well-"
Darwin's hand presses lightly over Gumball's mouth to cut him off, "it's fine. I don't need to know why you did it. Honestly that doesn't matter to me."
He blinks, then he bobs his head in understanding, a muffled 'alright' being spoken against Darwin's hand as he locks their gaze. Darwin smiles and drops his hand, satisfied.
"Good! Now, we know where the boundaries are for now, but I'm always open for kissing and cuddling." He reminds as he walks over to crawl onto the bottom bunk of the bed.
Gumball follows after, not wasting a moment to trail after and tuck himself up against Darwin's side, arms winding around his waist again.
The cuddling doesn't last as long as either of the two would like it to, the alarm clock goes off with its annoying buzzing eventually, Gumball being the first to groan and roll off of the bed for a change, flicking the switch at the back of the alarm clock so the timer goes off, leaving the room to seemingly echo the sound. Darwin smiles lightly at him, getting up as well to stretch, causing his back to give a satisfying crack. He kisses Gumball's cheek before bounding out of the room to go make breakfast for the family before Nicole has the chance to wake and do that. He liked doing things to make everyone's day go along easier. He even stopped by to wake Anais up. Thank goodness she woke with ease this time around. When he'd gotten downstairs and into the kitchen he saw Nicole leaning against the counter, light bags under her eyes as she microwaved herself a mug of coffee.
He chirped a good morning at her, and informed her he would be the one to make breakfast that morning. Relief had flooded her features, and she sniffled, informing her step son of sorts that she had a cold and wasn't going to work today, and a small thanks for helping out around the house. He wasn't as good at cooking as Gumball or Anais were, but he could do something simple. Darwin waved her off with a smile as he started to make some blueberry pancakes. Humming a song he'd be playing today, he bounced around the kitchen.
Once they started to fill the home of the Watterson's with their sugary berry smell, all of the family was up and about, getting ready for the day ahead of them. Gumball sat on the counter and traced Darwin's every move with those eyes of his, half lidded and bored. He didn't bother to make small talk however. With the way the blue haired male had been watching him, Darwin was able to tell that he hasn't quite gotten his fill of affection for the day. His tail would twitch and flick behind him, and his fingers would curl and uncurl against his thighs. Sparing a glance into the living room, Darwin stands on his tippy toes to sneak his boyfriend a quick peck on the lips. The pleased hum he got in turn was good enough.
Flashing another toothy smile, he picks up the plate of pancakes and asks Gumball to set the table, "Breakfast is ready!" He calls out, setting the plate of pancakes in the center of the table, before leaving only to come back to pour everyone a fresh glass of milk. Except for himself; he got apple juice.
Everyone gathered around at the table again, sitting down and saying their thanks to Darwin who smiles back at them and says "no problem" in return. Awhile into the meal Gumball pipes up carefully, not after looking at each of his parent's faces to determine their moods right now.
"Um… Mom? Dad? I just…I wanted to say sorry for storming out last night. It was wrong of me to throw a tantrum like that when you didn't mean to hurt my feelings." He murmurs, scratching the back of his neck.
Nicole smiles at him, "oh it's alright…it was wrong of us to assume and do such a thing anyways. Truce?" She asks, holding a hand out for him to take and shake with a nod.
"Truce."
"Truce!" Richard chimes in, patting his wife's and son's interlocked handshake.
After that, Gumball ate in peace. With breakfast over, the family parts ways again. Gumball take's Darwin's hand to drag him out the door, leaving Anais behind to rush to catch up. Of course she gave the two a knowing, narrowed eyed look once they stopped at the end of the block for their bus. Gumball and Darwin both obliviously dismiss it as her being upset about being left behind again.
They were wrong. "I know." She says finally, arms crossed over her chest as her gaze flickers between the two of them.
Well...I did it again and broke my promise to you all. I apologize for the lacks of updates on promised chapters the past few days. I've been trying to work on this one but I'm still not quite...happy with it, and it's incredibly short but hey! All chapter books have their few paged chapters right? So here mine is I guess. I'm afraid I'll be taking a break, a hiatus of sorts for...a few weeks? Just over Thanksgiving break. I'm going to do my damned BEST to write a few chapters within that time, and catch up on my other fanfictions.
I've also been sucked into another fandom (well, I've been in it for years but I'd stopped sooo)...Fairy Tail. I've been watching it almost non stop lately. I wish to write fanfiction for that as well. But to do so I have to finish my others. Also, my laptop has an issue when it comes down to staying "Focused" on a single open window... Microsoft word, or Chrome for example. As I'm writing this it's unfocused at least 10 times by now, making it so I have to re-type everything again and again. I have a short temper, hence the username KhaoticVEX. This is highly irritating as I try to write a story so... Does anyone know how to stop this from occurring so often?
I will post a few chapters once I'm caught up with it...I really appreciate all your patience with me.
Thanks!
KhaoticVex
