Day 16 – During their morning rituals
Malik slowly opened his eyes. He yawned and tried to stretch, but this was prevented by Mariku who had him in a tight grip. One arm was placed possessively around him and pressed him against Mariku's bare chest. His left leg lay over Malik and also prevented any movement. Malik felt the steady breathing of his boyfriend in his neck. This was how he woke up almost every morning. He enjoyed it, but was pretty annoyed about it at the same time. He tried to push Mariku's arm of himself, but without success. "Mariku," he said aloud, but he got no answer. Again, he braced himself against Mariku's arm. He heard a grunt and the arm closed more tightly around him. "Mariku!" A grunt. Malik sighed. Every morning was the same. He squirmed and kicked until he had at least his legs free, then he slid down from Mariku's hug. As a substitute Mariku grabbed Malik's pillow and pressed it to himself.
Malik shuffled into the bathroom. He pulled faces in the mirror before he grabbed his toothbrush. While he brushed his teeth, he went into the kitchen to begin with the breakfast preparations. Should he make waffles? Malik paused in motion; he shrugged his shoulders and continued brushing his teeth. No, too much work. He set up the toaster and put dishes on the table, then went back to the bathroom.
His path led from the bathroom to the bedroom. Mariku was still in an intimate embrace with the pillow and didn't move. "Mariku get up!" No response. "Mariku it's breakfast time." He shook his shoulder.
"Leave me," muttered Mariku and turned away from Malik.
Malik sighed and put his hands on his hips. "Within the next ten minutes you get up or you can take care of your food on your own." Malik went back into the kitchen and set the breakfast table completely. He poured himself a glass of orange juice and threw a glance at the clock again. Mariku had three minutes left.
Exactly ten minutes after Malik's warning words Mariku showed up at the kitchen door and entered with sagging shoulders. His hair was a disaster and his face cried out, "Why the hell am I not in bed?" His shorts were hanging loosely on his hips and looked more like they were about to slip to the ground any minute. Malik looked away with slightly flushed cheeks. Mariku was sexy even when he was really sleepy and wasn't even aware of it.
"Good morning," Malik said, giving his boyfriend a glass of orange juice. Mariku only made a grunting sound. He sat crooked in his chair and supported himself with his elbows on the table. His head rested in his palm and he looked like he was about to fall asleep again. Mariku wasn't a morning person. He would sleep until noon if Malik would let him. But he could stay awake all night while Malik preferred going to bed early. Their daily rhythms didn't fit together, but they had still managed to co-ordinate themselves. "Hey, sleepyhead." Malik gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Don't look so grim."
A small smile crossed Mariku's face. Surprisingly Mariku pulled Malik on his lap and buried his face in Malik's hair. "I'd rather have you for breakfast," he muttered.