After "Die Penisstatuenführung" as Mortimer called it, and Sabertooth being mildly impressed with his German as another pot-shot at their boss, things returned to relatively normal. Nearly so because Sabretooth still found Mortimer after his workouts to steal away a few drops of his sweat with his wicked tongue. Even when Freddy and Morty had been in the gym together. The first time it happened, Mortimer barely talked Blob out of decking Sabretooth, but he soon came to accept it as just another strange thing that happened around the Magneto barracks.
Sensing the easing of tension, even Quicksilver had started hanging around with them again, and the addition of a newbie deemed Pyro, all of Toad's time was occupied. It was several weeks before Toad even got a day to himself. But, of course, Mortimer inwardly chastised, he wasn't allowed to have even one day. Unless he was falling to pieces, which he wasn't at the moment, so he begrudgingly accepted the invitation to lunch with Sabretooth.
Or, that's what he thought it was as the blonde brawler stalked up to him and growled the word 'food' as if it were an order.
He responded with a questioning "sure?" and followed Sabretooth silently to a diner, of all the places.
Money wasn't an issue where they were; all one big, happy family on the outside. They were presented with coffee and sugar and cream and smiles. Of course Sabretooth drank his black. But, he didn't say a word as Mortimer loaded his with sugar and the barest hint of thick, rich cream.
Sabretooth snorted at the look of shock on Toad's features at his order of four hamburgers and a side of fries, then urged him to order by kicking him in the shin under the table. Mortimer asked for a turkey club with no sides and Sabretooth rolled his eyes. The smaller male kicked back at that. As the waiter walked away, Sabretooth pinned Mortimer's shoe to the ground under his boot. The other slipped his foot out of the leather and pushed at the other's lumpy knee.
"You cheat," Victor taunted, smirking.
"I did not! We didn't define any rules for this... Game!" Mortimer hissed quietly, his cheeks darkening the slightest bit.
"I didn't think I'd have to tell ya ta keep your shoe on."
"Whatever," Toad said, bringing his mug to his lips simply to hide his embarrassment. "Why did you bring me out here anyway?" It was quiet, barely more than a breath, but he knew Sabretooth heard him.
"Changing the subject, spoiled sport? Ah," Sabretooth teased, leaning back and spreading his arms over the backrest. They spanned more than the length of the thing, and he had to bend one not to bump the window. "I thought you should eat."
"You think that a lot."
"I think the right thing."
They watched each other, Sabretooth in amusement, Toad warily, until their food arrived. Their waiter looked a little concerned at the tension between them, and Victor tried to provide a little relief by smiling in his general direction. That only made their server more concerned at all the sharp, terrifying teeth, and he hurried away. Sabretooth frowned and waved one hand dismissively before tearing into one of his hamburgers.
Mortimer picked at his sandwich, his foot still in contact with Sabretooth, having slipped down his leg to rest against his calf, on top of his boot. He didn't seem to mind. They ate in silence, the server returning once to refill their coffee.
Once Mortimer finished his sandwich, Victor pushed his fries forward. The brunette sighed and picked one up, just to placate the other. He ate a few, then pushed the plate back.
"I'm full."
"Eat more," Victor commanded.
"I can't, mate," was the wary response.
"You can, you just don't want to."
"I don't want to feel bloated and useless."
"Eat more often, then," and the words were final, discussion ending. Sabretooth reached out for his cup and downed the rest of his coffee. "You ready to go?"
"Go where?"
"I figured we'd cause some chaos," Victor said with a shrug.
"And get chewed out by the boss? I don't think so."
"Pussy."
"Projecting your qualities on me, love?" Mortimer teased, slipping his shoe back on. At Sabretooth's growl, Toad launched himself from the table and ran out the door. Finding Sabretooth right behind him, he dropped to all fours and started hopping, kicking up rocks in his haste.
"You'll never catch me outside!" Toad yelled, then chuckled to himself, taking to a well-constructed fire-escape. He hopped to the outside rim of each level and propelled himself up, keeping just out of Sabretooth's reach.
Here, Mortimer was in his element; open air, but with obstacles to climb on and put between himself and his opponent.
On top of the building, he ducked behind an entry-way and waited for Sabretooth to round the corner, clinging to the wall just above where Victor's head would be. When the blonde looked around the corner and wrinkled his nose, in a way that Mortimer found almost cute, as he tried to discern the others location by scent, the brunette hocked a wad of sticky mucus at the other. Sabretooth barely avoided it with a startled curse, and launched himself after Toad.
Their game went on for a while, scaring passersby into hiding. Down a nearly deserted street; from the ruckus they'd caused, no doubt, Mortimer thought as he slowed down and made a sharp turn, jumping into a row of bushes off to the side of the clean sidewalk. Sabretooth came barreling after him, tearing clear through a bush to try to get at Toad, who let himself get caught.
They tumbled to the ground, Mortimer laughing all the while as Victor huffed out a sound of joy at his success.
"Oh, we are going to have to fix that bush," Mortimer complained, even as he smiled, letting himself be pinned to the grass by Victor's bulk. He let one arm rest in the grass above his head and moved his other hand to brush through golden curls, then trace a finger over the other's exposed collarbone. He carefully minded his nails, almost dainty and certainly reverent.
"Ain't my problem," Sabretooth said, watching the other's eyes follow the path his finger took.
"We'll get yelled at," Mortimer reasoned, sagging a bit, pulling his hand away only to curl it around Victor's bicep. He hummed quietly when Sabretooth leaned in to lick at his throat, tilting his head back to give the other access.
"You mistake me for someone who gives a shit," the blonde purred against the moist skin of Toad's neck. His tongue was far more merciful than his words as he lapped up the sudor, not even bothering an attempt to restrain the supine form beneath him. "Someone else will get it."
"You always say that," Mortimer said, though he didn't sound like he was complaining.
"You always say too much," was Victor's response before he tried to claim the other's lips. He growled when he was denied and met a sweat-slick, flushed cheek.
"I'm not saying 'no'," Mortimer started, tightening his grip on the flexing muscle under his fingers, "just not here. We're in public, love." He immediately regretted the pet name, watching the other for his reaction warily.
Sabretooth frowned- actually frowned! Mortimer marveled- not scowling or snarling, but frowned, almost pouting in his intoxication. It must've come on quick, Mortimer thought, watching various expressions claim Victor's features.
"Your place or mine?"
"We need to talk about this," Mortimer said with a heavy sigh.
"What is there to talk about?" Honest curiosity, Toad noted, not anger.
"A lot, love. Now let me up so we can go back to my room."
After regarding Mortimer for a few moments, Sabretooth leaned down to lick a stripe up the side of his face before getting to his feet. He blinked slowly, then smirked as he watched Toad wipe his face with his hand and make a displeased noise. They walked back to the compound in silence, Sabretooth swaying a bit every so many steps.
As they passed the threshold, the staff entryway, Sabretooth paused to lean on the doorframe for a moment and grin at Toad.
"The longer I go without it, the better it feels," he admitted, toothy grin in place. Mortimer knew he meant the drug he produced, but the lecherous grin and the tone of voice gave him an uncomfortable chill.
"My room," was all he said before hopping off.
Sabretooth found Mortimer straightening out the already made bed, and kicked the door shut behind him. It rattled in the frame, but Toad couldn't bring himself to look. He sighed when thick arms wrapped around him, and meaty paws found his midsection.
"Start talking," Sabretooth stated.
"Will you remember anything I say?" Toad asked before swallowing thickly. He brought his hands up to Victor's and got a feel for them. "Will you-" he sighed, "will you let me fix your nails?"
"After you tell me what this is." Sabretooth tightened his grip and suckled at the back of Mortimer's neck. Toad held his breath for a moment.
"It would be easier if I had something to distract myself, mate," he said, drawing his nails up the back of Victor's hands, then soothing the pads of his fingers down over the already-vanishing welts.
"So, no sex?"
"Again, I'm not saying 'no', there's just... Some things you should know, I guess," Mortimer said and closed his eyes.
"Were you raped?"
"Man, why do people always assume that?"
"Because whenever I try to do anything with you, you start acting like a scared little rabbit."
"Have you looked in a mirror? You're kind of terrifying."
"Women usually like the way I look."
"In case you haven't noticed yet, I'm not a woman. Can I just- just do your nails? This would be a lot easier."
Sabretooth snorted a good-natured chuckle against Mortimer's shoulder, then nuzzled his neck. "You say you're not a woman, then ask to do my nails. That's funny." He pulled away a bit, his hands on Mortimer's sides, splayed along his ribs. "You can if you ask in a way that doesn't make us sound like twelve-year old girls."
"Can I clean and cut your nails so I don't go insane trying to explain my sexual hang-ups to you?" Toad asked through gritted teeth.
"Sure," Victor said, giving a light squeeze before ending the contact entirely. "They'll grow back tomorrow, though."
"That's fine," Mortimer groused, crossing the room to get to the bathroom. "C'mon."
In the bathroom, he gave the blonde a gentle push to sit on the toilet, surprised when he sat willingly. Sabretooth smirked at the bulky kit that was pulled from beneath the sink, and upon noticing his expression, Mortimer sneered back. He grabbed one of Sabretooth's hands as he sat on the edge of the tub.
"Alright, look," he said as he took out a pair of clippers, "this is how it is." He complained to himself as the normal amount of pressure he applied to clip his own nails didn't seem to cut it, literally, with Sabretooth's thick, unkempt ones. He slid off the tub and dug out a pair of toenail clippers and got back to work. "I don't like normal sex.
"It's not because I've been abused or something like that, because I haven't. Not sexually, anyway. I've had... Swabs and shit like that in my, uh, orifices, but that was for science, not for some sick fuck to get his freaky rocks off with me, or something. I mean," he said with a sigh, taking Sabretooth's other hand to cut those nails, "they were still sick fucks, but not sexually. Not to me, anyway."
Sabretooth said nothing as he watched Mortimer take a file and start working his shortened nails into a softer shape. He simply raised a brow and waited for the other to continue.
"I just... I just don't like it, mate. I've done it before. Pissed off a couple of girls because they thought I didn't find them attractive, but it's not that. I just can't keep it up unless I'm being kissed." He filed down the other set of nails and took out a hooked tool to clean the blood and dirt from under the now more shapely nails. "The guys I've been with have been a little bit more understanding because, well, they know that getting fucked in the ass hurts." Sabretooth snorted at that. "So, they were more inclined to do other things."
"Other things?" Sabretooth drawled, cocking his head.
"Oh, hell. Like frotting and oral and- the like," Toad answered, taking out a bottle and a cube that looked like foam rubber.
"The fuck is 'frotting'?" Sabretooth asked, "and what the fuck are you doing now?"
"Frotting is where two guys rub their dicks together, and I'm still cleaning your nails."
"That's so girly," he said, ignoring the first statement entirely.
"Ya know who suggested this?" Mortimer asked, holding up the block. Sabretooth raised a brow. "The boss."
"He cleans his nails with a knife," Sabretooth said.
"Yeah, well, his nails are more normal than ours."
"That's true. So, are you, uh, what's the word? One of those people who don't have sexual urges?"
"Asexual? I don't know," Toad answered, turning back to his work on the other's nails. "I doubt it. I just don't like certain things.
"I'm a bit surprised that you're still here, listening to me," Mortimer admitted on a stuttering breath.
"Well, for one thing, I'm high," Sabretooth said with a snort. "You ever been high? Shit is fascinating when you're stoned. For another, I ain't about to leave with one set of nails all pretty and shit and the other how they usually are. It'll piss me off until I sober up."
"I've been doing both hands with each thing before I move on to the next so you can leave any time you want."
"Maybe I just don't want to leave."
Mortimer didn't know what to say, so he just finished the last of the nails.
"Gonna paint 'em too, princess?"
"Do you want them painted?"
"Holy shit. You have nail polish," Sabretooth said as if it were just about the funniest thing he'd ever heard.
"Only clear, but if you want color, I'm sure some girl around here would be more than willing to share."
"I was making fun of you, ya know."
"I know. I was ignoring it."
"You put up with way more shit than you should."
"What else am I supposed to do? I'm not as strong as you. I can't just smash in the heads of people who disagree with me. That's why I'm still just a lackey and not even an important figure in this... War." Mortimer muttered as he organized the items in the nail kit and put it away.
"That's not even what I meant, but okay," Sabretooth said, looking at his nails. "Man, I was a kid the last time I saw my nails looking this good."
Mortimer smiled at the indirect praise, hiding the expression behind his hand.
"So, what are we gonna do?"
"Wot d'ya mean?" Toad asked, still hiding his face.
"The next time I get high off of you. We gonna rub willies?"
Mortimer's laughter was so sudden and loud that it startled Victor into a twitch of his shoulders. He glared at the brunette who was still crouched on the tiled floor.
"I was serious," he growled.
"Oh, I know. The way you phrased it just... Surprised me." Toad reached out to put his hands on Sabretooth's knees, and the other spread them, letting him sit between them. There was a long silence as Mortimer knelt there, enjoying the closeness. "If that's what you want and it doesn't lead to you trying to put it in my arse, then sure."
"I can't believe I have to ask you to tell me what you want. You're a grown man," Sabretooth said, threading the fingers of one hand through Mortimer's hair.
"Do you really care?" Mortimer asked the cotton-clad thigh he was pressing his face into.
"When it comes to sex, yeah."
"Never would have thought-" Mortimer's words ended in a whimper when the fingers in his hair curled into a fist and pulled. His head was forced back and he looked up at Sabretooth with wide eyes.
"What. Do. You. Want."
"Ah- let go of my hair, mate."
"Tell me what you want first. I'm starting to sober up, and if you don't behave, I'm going to get pissed off."
"I just want to be held," he whined, "I just want to pretend someone fucking cares for a while. God damn it!" He pulled hard, hissing at the pain on his scalp.
Without a word, Sabretooth stood and, moving his hand to cup the back of Mortimer's head, he pulled the smaller man with him to leave the bathroom. He kicked off his boots and practically threw Toad on his own bed. Sabretooth shed his jacket and roughly pulled off the other's shoes, throwing both across the room. Pushing his hair out of his face, Victor climbed on the bed and lay down next to the trembling form.
"Stop that. I'm not going to fucking hurt you," he growled, pulling the smaller body close. He buried his nose in the other's hair and sighed out his frustration. He slackened the slightest bit when Mortimer cautiously brought his hands up to clutch the white shirt.
"You said we don't get to pretend," Toad reminded, his voice small, wavering. He stank of fear.
"I'm not going to fall in love with you, if that's what you're hoping for. But I do want to see you get strong enough that you don't die," Victor admitted, shaking with barely-restrained rage, feeling like he was forced to put his deepest, most private thoughts out there. Atrophied emotions felt like a limb that had fallen asleep and was being shaken out; prickling, annoying. He regretted his sobriety, and considered scaring Mortimer into sweating to take the edge off of his aggression. "If that's not good enough for you, then, tough shit."
"I'll take it," Mortimer said, burying his face in Sabretooth's chest, curling his arms up against himself.
"You're such a brat," Sabretooth complained, scratching his now short nails up and down the cotton-clad, freckled back.
Mortimer just mewled happily in response.