When Graves woke up, he could already tell it was later than when he used to get up. Not that they were really busy and had to go fast. Slowly sleep abandonned him and left instead a heavy sensation, mind a bit foggy.
Grumbling innerly – though some of it was let outloud – he shifted in bed, trying to get ride of the small pain. It wouldn't go away and he knew it. Drank too much.
It was only when he found some difficulties to move that he registered the presence in bed. Wait. Graves's eyes blinked open. Indeed, Twisted Fate was here, snuggled up to him in his sleep. More than invading his personnal space, arm slung without care over the other man.
Considering the night and previous drinking, it was to be expected but it still surprised Graves to have the latter still in bed. Opposite of all these mornings waking up alone after a wild encounter.
Shit.
Really, he didn't know what to think, his gaze never leaving his partner. From this point of view, he couldn't fully see Twisted Fate's face, the angle and the way he was resting against his shoulder made it difficult. But he was right there, in his arms. Somehow his heart ached a little. Because from all they had done together, nightly intercourses, Twisted Fate had always made sure it didn't go beyond the night. Morning was another day, it meant it was over. Then the cycle could start again the day after.
But right now there was an error. He stayed. Well, it was logical. Graves saw that the latter had more alcohol than him, without a doubt it would be difficult to wake up. There it led them. To a sleepy cardmaster pressed to him like he belonged here.
Stop. Don't think too much. The more he let his thoughts running, the less it felt unusual. He shouldn't get used to this. And Graves feared how it impacted him to see the latter under normal light though in this private setting. By now his headache was forgotten, too shaken by the sight.
Although he refused to move again for now – not to disturb the man's rest – Graves took some time to appreciate the details hidden from him at night. The blanket covered most of them but there was still things to see. His gaze fell immediately on Twisted Fate's tattoo, Bilgewater's mark. Ah yes. Not really new, he already saw it before but couldn't remember exactly when. Idly he traced the ink, gently. Lost himself in the pattern as his thoughts wandered.
At some point the other man moved a little before settling down again, quiet mumbling against skin. He didn't wake up yet. If that was possible, Twisted Fate managed to come closer, hugging his partner.
All this gave Graves more regrets for when this would be over. Precious was a good word to describe the instant but it was rather embarrassing to admit. Okay, yes, he's cute like that. But he refused to search how much it meant.
This strange urge pushed him to burry a hand in Twisted Fate's hair, tucking a few strands behind his ear. And this time it caused the latter to wake up.
Ah, crap.
Of course Graves should have seen that coming but he may have been less careful than wanted. Anyway, it was done. Twisted Fate shifted a little, eyes opening for a short instant before he shut it back right after. He brought a hand to his face just as he whimpered lowly, sounding in quite a sad state. The reflex was to curl up in pain.
Then he completely froze. Graves understood that if the latter wasn't really aware of his surroundings, now he did, registering the contact with another warm body. Muffled curse came up, before Twisted Fate dared to look up.
Graves wasn't a man to back off, he gazed back at the latter. Also, he could see increasing confusion painted on his face. A bit taken aback to see Twisted Fate so expressive, he wasn't even masking himself. Just plain surprise.
« M-Malcolm ? » Unusual tone for this man used to control everything he showed. « What… ? »
Before he could freak out more, the man shut up, still a hand to his face as he tried to get his mind clear. But hangovers were painful and made the morning after feel like hell. He was trapped between surrending to panick and searching any way to make the headache go. By the end, it resulted in a pathetic noise.
Well shit, he's going through a lot. Serves him right. Everyone knew that too much alcohol made a lot of people regret it later. Twisted Fate knew and let this go. So he had it coming. But Graves felt a bit of compassion for him, times like these were hard.
Resumed carressing the latter's hair, massaging his head even if he wasn't sure if it would help.
« Relax. It's gonna be okay. » Tried to soothe as he could but he was short on ideas.
« What the fuck are you doing here ? » The question came suddenly, as Twisted Fate struggled to focus on the man.
« What do you mean ? This is my room. You're the one breaking into my room every time ! » Some effort to express how annoying it had been but in fact he just wanted to calm the latter down.
« Ah… » Never something so genuine came from Twisted Fate, as far as he knew. Just lost and very confused. He looked around and it dawned on him. Another reason that made him stiff, sitting up on the bed.
This move wasn't to Graves's taste, he would rather they didn't move for some time. There was no urgency or job to do. But thirst came up too, giving him a reason to get out of bed.
With some grumbling he stood and went to the bathroom. Then he came back with a glass of water, at the intention of Twisted Fate. The latter hadn't stopped gazing around the room, seeming deep in thoughts despite how painful it was. Registering the latest events, for sure. This loss of control over himself would be quite an issue for him.
Graves didn't question his behavior, mornings after could be complex. He handed the glass, earning another strange gaze.
« Hey, I'm not trying to poison you. It's just water. You need it. » This would get tiring if Twisted Fate kept staring at him like a spooked animal. And also worrying. The man was supposed not to show many emotions, this was getting almost scary.
Graves didn't know what was worse, when the latter was too quiet or too open like right now.
Small victory, Twisted Fate took the glass of water without any remark and downed it. Then he returned it and seemed to move on, getting out of bed too.
Though it must cost him, the latter looked after his clothes then dressed in silence. No attention payed to Graves, still standing there with the glass, unsure about anything.
Okay, he's leaving now. Didn't like it at all but what could he say ? Twisted Fate was free to do whatever he wanted.
Glass put aside, sitting back in bed, he kept watching the man as he got ready to go. Really awkward silence. Graves didn't know what to do or say. This was just strange and devoid of any comment. No words from the latter, resolutely looking away during all this.
When Twisted Fate was done, he made a bee line to the door, not a glance behind. Just as he was about to reach it, Graves felt the urge to talk. Maybe stop him.
« So what ? You will be fine ? »
At first Twisted Fate didn't answer though he stopped in his tracks. Turning so slightly, he spoke up : « Not a word about this night. » Then he left. As simple as that.
It wasn't much the fact that the man just got dressed then left like nothing that hit Graves. Fine, maybe a little. But the tone used was very cold. Not sure how to react. A real jab. Clearly an order to follow or there would be consequences.
Graves was put off. The latter rarely used such tone, cruel and icy. This whole morning went from surprise to weird distance to sharp goodbye. Twisted Fate hadn't even tried to play it smooth, a bit joking like he would do every day.
The latter was getting far too emotional around him, it scared Graves a little. Not used at this whole vulnerable then harsh façade.
Guess I'll shut up for now.
This showed to be the best advice for the day. Even as they met up again, after packing their things to go, there was this unusual distance. Better stay quiet. Graves wouldn't make the conversation if the latter didn't want it.
What started to get on his nerve was how Twisted Fate almost avoided any kind of contact. No words after the minimum, very little interaction.
Rude.
Graves didn't understand why the man was reacting like that. Like he had made a mistake. Not even trying to humor him, casually flirt or be a smartass. I did nothing wrong. I think. Then why Twisted Fate was acting like that ?
He never had answers and the man didn't want to talk. Why bother then ? They kept business talk but anything else was tiring. Just wanted to give up understanding the latter, it was useless.
And as he partially expected, two days after their incident, Twisted Fate didn't show up like his routine demanded. More nights alone, it would seem.
This got Graves a bit sad but again the reason was to avoid. No, I don't miss him.
This was a pure mess but it got better, little by little. Like warming up again. Days passed and Twisted Fate returned to what the outlaw knew of him, the annoying bastard. A relief, in a way. At least now he wasn't acting like he was mad at Graves.
The real clue that they were back on tracks was when after two – very long, agonizing – weeks, Twisted Fate returned to his nightly visits. For both this was some happy time, having missed these occasions.
But again, there was still this silent side of the latter. Graves wasn't really fond of it, prefered to have the other man express how much he enjoyed each second. Twisted Fate made more effort to stay quiet during sex, keeping it down even if it was getting difficult when one certain outlaw did his best to make him scream.
In any case, Graves was glad to have the latter back to him. He would leave in the morning but it came nonetheless.
Enough to calm down his worry and focus on something else than his confused feelings.
But one day, Twisted Fate disappeared. Again.