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A series of deep breaths. Now that was a way to start the day.
That was something his therapist told him anyway. Just several moments in the morning, breathing deeply, not thinking much about anything. The truth was that, for someone like Rhys it truly was a huge task to achieve. Someone whose mind went to all directions in any particular moment possible. But well. At least for the mornings, right?
His stress levels have been way too high lately. Timothy noticed that immediately, basically commanding him to take breaks and work a reasonable amount of hours. For him, that was. Honestly, if it wasn’t for Timothy, Rhys had to admit, he’d probably collapse onto the Atlas lab floor and get devoured by angry ratch, as revenge after years of killing them. But as long as Timothy was there, Rhys could count on someone to look over his health more.
A for effort though, he was trying.
So he sat on the edge of his bed, trying to control his breath. Eyes tightly shu– No, he scolded himself in his mind. Not tightly, gently. Right and not tensing his shoulders and maybe also–
“Mmm, buttercup,” his husband’s lower voice got to him. One which still melted him through, even after so many years. “Your jaw’s clenched.”
Rhys opened his eyes, giving him a doubtful look, “Oh, yeah?”
His voice sounded raspier than he intended. Huh. He surely hoped that would work wonders on Timothy.
“Oooh. You could say it one more time, y’know, I w– Wouldn’t have anythin’ against it.”
Bullseye.
As a grin spread across his face, Rhys’ eyelids lowered, scoffing playfully at him. In a second, Timothy’s strong arms embraced him, pulling him even closer. His warm, freckled and scarred skin felt even more wonderful against Rhys’ own always cold skin. How lucky he was to simply have a husband acting as a heating pad, he had no idea.
Timothy’s chest pressed against his back, scooping him right into his arms, his legs wrapping around his middle. Then his cheek rested against the curve of his shoulders, steadily and gently. Rhys could feel the tingling of the ragged edges of his scar, something he grew to love so much. Just one of the many signs of his dear Timothy simply being here.
“So that’s what’s working for ya, huh?” Rhys sighed, pressing his own cheek on the top of his head.
“Sure, I mean, your buttery voice? Could listen to it over and over and overrr,” Tim was probably inclined to continue but with Rhys’ stares he shut it instead. “But seriously. Still clenched. What are you, a Hyperion stalker?”
Feeling it himself, Rhys moved his jaw a little, letting it relax some more. Alright. He did have a point there.
“Still trying, c’mon, give me that.”
To which, Timothy gave him a quick peck right on his jawline, “Not saying you don’t, baby. Proud of you.”
With a soft sigh, Rhys pressed his forehead against his. He closed off his eyes, trying to get this one moment, just one to be in his husband’s arms. When nothing else in this whole universe didn’t matter as much.
Though his mind still kept running in these directions.
“You know when I open my eyes, I’ll probably be hit with all my responsibilities again,” he said shakily. “With the– With that merchandise deal with Tediore, or keeping Lancemen in place, or new designs, or that showcase we have planned for next week… Damn, Tim, I still haven’t made these bluepri–“
“Noooope,” he silenced him immediately. “Your eyes are closed, sooo Atlas doesn’t exist now. Take a breath. We can… Pffshh, talk about something super boring. Or not talk at all. Just relax for a sec.”
Rhys hummed softly, “How boring do you wanna get?”
“Dunno. Are we short on anything?”
“Eehh, milk I think?” Rhys shrugged, still keeping his eyes closed. “And probably on Jim’s dry food.”
“Suure, sure, we can get it later today,” nuzzling himself even closer, Timothy brushed a kiss against his shoulder blade. “See? Boring as all hell, keep going.”
Yet this one motion put something entirely else in Rhys’ mind. Something a lot less boring.
Rhys felt his smile getting even bigger, “Sweetheart… Do it again.”
“What?”
“Kiss me,” he accented, using the same low voice as before. “Please, kiss me again, Tim.”
“What? Thought you wanted to relax or somethin’.”
“You think it’s not relaxing?” Rhys gave him a side-eye look.
“Sure is… Just don’t want to get your heart racing there,”
“Psshhh, shut up,” then he rolled his eyes. Even after this many years together, Rhys couldn’t lie – he had a point.
“Mmhmm. As you wish, princess. Shutting up.”
And instead, he kept on kissing Rhys’ back. Slow motion across his exposed skin. The permanent coldness of Rhys’ skin was nothing compared to Timothy’s warmth. His lips caressing him, making sure each kiss lingers for a little too long. Rhys closed his eyes again, only focusing on the touch.
Maybe this is why mornings were worth it. Beneath all of his Atlas spotlight, there was… Just a guy. A guy who loved spending his time simply trying to clear his mind, getting better with himself. Someone who just wanted to get his top tier froyo and catch another episode of his favorite ECHOvision drama. Or someone who cleaned after his cats trashed their food bowls. Or someone who loved to spend time in his beloved husband’s arms.
Rhys definitely liked that last bit the most.
Turning around, he faced Timothy again. Letting his arms embrace him all over again, he looked at him with the most love he had in his heart. All reserved to him of course. Without further hesitation, Rhys closed the distance between them with a kiss. Timothy’s lips felt a little coarser on his own – another thing so unique to him. But the way he kissed him, moving his lips right as he did, opening them wider. That was definitely worth it all.
With the strength he had, Rhys pushed him, his back falling against the mattress of their king sized bed. Timothy yelped in surprise, letting his hands move both across his back and on his sides. All while Rhys tried to tangle his fingers into the waves of his hair.
Cause Timothy truly was that anchor in his life. Sure, in the company they had to act professionally but it was their home. When they could simply be themselves. Like putting the song in the background and seeing how Timothy lip-synced to this. Or the way he scooped him in his arms, when he was cooking. Or the long nights cuddled on the couch with their cats, just taking in the moments. Or hell, kissing deeply, chests pressed against each other in their bed. What else could he truly want.
Day after day, Rhys was thankful. To have someone like Timothy in his life, sharing each and every moment. Someone around who he could be himself. And for Timothy to take care of him, see him as he is – that truly felt like a gift he didn’t expect to ever get.
But he did. And looking back at him, he didn’t care about the paperwork or the neatly trimmed Atlas plants. He cared about Timothy’s smile and freckled face. And the words he needed to say to him.
“I love you so much, Timmy baby,” he sighed, stroking his cheek gently.
“And I love you too, Rhysie baby,” Timothy echoed, lost in his loving looks.
With this, Rhys bent again to give him that one last peck right at the edge of his lips. Hearing Timothy’s low chuckle, a soft smile spread across his cheeks. He then rested his cheek against his pecs, his right hand at the place where his heart was. The low steady beat filled him with happiness he couldn’t describe. The happiness of him simply… Being there. By his side. And when Timothy kissed the top of his head and pressed his left hand on the top of his right, it felt completely right.
Then there was a loud meow right from the other room. Several actually.
Rhys buried his face and let out a long groan. And Timothy laughed.
“Welp, at least it wasn’t work,” he concluded, intertwining their fingers.
“Ugghhh, who is this? Felicity? Elwood?” Rhys’ muffled voice complained.
“Dooess it matter?”
“Yep. Gave them big treats yesterday so they better not go complaining.”
Timothy seemed to move a little, just to get a peek who was it this time, “Hm, you’re lucky. It’s Bella. Okay, get up, we gotta feed our kids or else they’re gonna take over Atlas.”
“They can have it, I’d let them inherit it anyway,” he pressed his cheek even more so onto his chest. “Besides, c’mon Tim. I’m comfortable.”
“Are you.”
“Yes,” he smiled, wishing he could see the look on Timothy’s face. “Baby, you are very comfortable.”
“Alright, alright, flatterer, I can live with being your pillow. But c’mon, I’m gonna make you a mean cup of coffee, how’s that?” he asked carefully, placing his other hand on his back.
“What, you’re gonna bribe me with coffee?”
“Not only coffee, ya knowww.”
To which Rhys laughed earnestly, “Welp. Be happy I have a soft spot for you.”
“Ohohooh, I am. Very much so,” he purred, pressing one more kiss on the top of his hair. “And how are you feeling right now, baby?”
Ah, another one of these remarks. Ones that Timothy made just to make extra sure he was alright. Just trying to keep the situation afloat and check if his husband truly was ready. Rhys appreciated it more than anything in this world.
Yet, the world seemed just right. With Timothy holding him, caressing him, his kisses and smiles. With their cats by their side, even when they screamed at the top of their lungs for their attention. The Promethean sun, the easy times when the planet spun just a little slower. Rhys truly could spend the rest of his mornings like this.
With Timothy by his side, the dark, lonely days were long over. Now they faced the world together.
“Better than ever,” Rhys sighed softly, giving him the last squeeze. “Okay, let’s save Atlas from the catpocalypse.”
“Eeehh, now that I’m thinking I wouldn’t mind it too much,” joked Timothy.
“Oh, you get me so much.”
When Rhys opened his eyes, the first thing he saw were their intertwined hands and Timothy’s wedding band illuminating with the early morning light.