#mibraltar

He didn't swing by the Apex compound's gym very often. He preferred to do his workouts outside, loving the feeling of the fresh air in his lungs and the sun on his back. Today, however, he had decided to swing by the Legend's workout space, hoping to find someone who might join him for his routine. He wasn't expecting to stay here as long as he had, but he also wasn't expecting to become a spectator to some competition of strength between Anita and Elliott. 

"You might be the expert when it comes to light shows but, stand back and watch how the king of the gun shows does it." 

Anita shook her head, while the trickster shot her some cheesy finger guns and a grin, that Makoa couldn't help but wish was directed at him. 

"Hurry up, amigo!" Octavio complained, who in typical Octavio fashion, was filming the whole thing on his phone. "I could lift that thing with my hands behind my back!" 

Elliott directed his attention to the younger Legend now, and Gibraltar couldn't help but notice how his curls bounced as his head swivelled, coming to fall in a perfect mess that framed his face again. 

"Keep it down, short stuff, or I'll lift you up and throw you out the window." 

"Aw, is that a promise?" the speedster quipped back. 

Elliott laughed at that, and the sound was like music to Makoa's ears, his heart skipping a beat. He blinked harshly, as if coming back to reality, a realisation dawning on him. Did...did he have a thing for Mirage? He sighed to himself. It didn't really matter how he felt. Someone as desirable as Elliott would never go for someone like him.

"Alright, let's get this show on the road," Elliott said, getting himself in position, surveying the barbell on the ground in front of him. "Remember our deal, Bangs? If I can lift this, you're buying the drinks later. So, you will be buying the drinks. I can do this, no sweat." 

"Yeah. If you ever quit stalling with all that yapping," she replied, with a laugh. "Now remember; don't strain your back and watch your feet. You don't want that thing coming down on your toes." 

"Yes, ma'am." 

Makoa observed him as he got into an almost squat like position, and curled his fingers around the bar. He gave it an experimental tug, before readjusting his hands. Doubt began to swirl in Gibraltar's mind; there was no way Elliott was going to be able to lift that thing. He quickly found himself distracted from the thought, as soon as the trickster budged the weight from the ground, and he saw the way his biceps tensed under the strain. 

"Come on, dude! Put your back into it!" the runner called out, hopping from one foot to the other in anticipation. 

"No! Lift with your knees!" Anita corrected, swatting Octavio's shoulder. "We've been over this!" 

"Can...both...of you...just...shut...up?!" the trickster said, balancing the weight in front of his chest, breathing deeply. 

"Home stretch, compadre! Let's go!" Octavio continued to cheer, but Gibraltar wasn't sure if it was because he wanted the trickster to feel accomplished or because he wanted something entertaining for his followers to watch. 

Trickles of sweat were beginning to form on Elliott's forehead, as he continued to fight against the crying of his muscles. Makoa followed a rogue bead that made its way down the side of his face, along his sculpted cheekbone, getting lost somewhere in his perfectly maintained beard. How someone could still remain so undoubtedly attractive with their cheeks flushed red and their face and shirt almost soaking in sweat, but somehow Elliott could pull it off. The trickster let out what could only be described as a strangled roar, as he hoisted the barbell over his head, sending it crashing to the ground a few seconds later. He placed his hands on his knees, doubling over in an attempt to catch his breath, while Octavio and Anita clapped politely, prompting Makoa to join in. 

"Well, I'll be damned, Witt," the soldier began, giving him a respectful nod. "Nice work. Guess I'm buying the drinks." 

"Would it...be...too much to ask for...a drink now?" the trickster asked, with a small laugh, still trying to get his breath back. 

The speedster tossed him a bottle of water and a towel to mop himself up. A deep blush rushed to Gibraltar's cheeks, when the trickster scooped his now damn hair into a small pile on top of his head, securing it with a hairband before peeling his workout top off, exposing his glistening skin underneath. His eyes followed him, as he made his way towards Octavio to watch the video he'd made, draping the towel over his shoulders. It was hard not to appreciate Elliott's fit build, and the trail of hair along his stomach that was littered with small scars and marks he'd picked up over the years. 

He could feel the weight on the other side of the bed shift slightly, pulling him from his thoughts. He turned his face to see his boyfriend's eyelids flicker, as he was slowly gaining consciousness. Elliott scratched a lazy hand through his beard and yawned, rolling onto his back. He rubbed at one eye as he woke up completely, remaining silent for a moment before turning to face Makoa, a dazed look on his face. He propped himself up on his elbow and shuffled himself over until he could half hover, half lay himself on his partner's chest, as he looked down at him lovingly. "Good morning, Elliott." "Good morning, handsome. Sleep well?" "I did," Makoa told him, rubbing his thumb along the trickster's cheekbone, affectionately. "But I have to say, love, I should be the one calling you handsome. You look absolutely radiant this morning." Elliott's smile widened, his sleepy brown eyes drifting to a stray curl that was hanging in his view. He remained that way for a few seconds, until his brain seemed to snap into gear, and he turned away, burying his head under the blankets. "W-wait don't look. My hair is doing that frizzy thing isn't it? I can feel it." "Elliott…," Makoa began, with a small chuckle. "I look forward to seeing your face every morning. You've seen how wild my hair can get during the night. It's not even that messy." He listened as his boyfriend replied something incomprehensible, his voice muffled. He lifted his half of the blanket up and peered under it, spotting his boyfriend curled up underneath it. "Hey! Ocupado!" Elliott grumbled, as Makoa snaked his way down to join him, until they were almost nose to nose. "You can't expect me to go without my morning cuddle, love."

The trickster allowed himself to be drawn into his partner's arms, burying his face into Makoa's bare chest, while he combed his fingers through his sleep tousled curls. "I could almost fall back asleep again," Elliott hummed contentedly, snuggling closer. "Oh, so now you don't mind me coming under here," Makoa quipped, receiving a quiet chuckle in response. "I love you, babe." "I love you too." They remained that way for some time, in each other's embrace, chatting quietly about their plans for the day, until reality struck and Elliott's phone alarm began to go off, startling them both. The trickster stuck his hand out from under the blanket, with a groan, flailing his hand wildly around the bedside table until he managed to turn it off. He returned back to his lover's arms, with no intention of getting up just yet. "Five more minutes." "I won't argue with that."

The pair settled back down, under the covers, receiving only a few moments of peace until Elliott's phone perked up again, with a phone call this time. He begrudgingly pulled the device under the blanket with him and answered, trying to disguise the morning huskiness in his voice as he did so. "Hello? Yeah...What? How the hell did that happen? Oh, boy...Yeah. Mmhmm. Right. Okay, I see. I'll be there as soon as I can. Yeah...bye." The trickster discarded his phone among the pillows after her hung up the call, muttering to himself. "I love owning a bar...I like owning a bar…". "Something wrong?" "The delivery guys dropped off someone else's order...I need to go sort that out," he sighed. "And here I was hoping I would get to spend the morning with you." He stretched himself out before pushing the blankets back and sitting up. "Time to burst the bubble, I guess." Makoa remained lying there, taking the opportunity to run his fingers up and down his partner's spine, while he desperately tried to calm his hair into something more presentable. "What do you say I tag along too?" Makoa suggested. "We can grab brunch together." Elliott looked over his shoulder, shooting him a warm smile. "I'd like that." "It's a date then." "A date?" the trickster questioned coyly. "Then I better haul my ass to the shower." "I was thinking the exact same thing." "Well, it seems like we're in quite the predic-pre...uh...bad situation," Elliott mused, playfully. "You want to shower. I want to shower. And we're on such limited time…". "Hmm...Such a shame. One of my favourite things about this place is the walk in shower…If only there was another way." It was then, Elliott quickly turned around and pounced on his partner, pecking his cheek playfully. He jumped out of the bed with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I'll race ya!" Makoa laughed heartily, as he hauled himself out of bed and followed his boyfriend towards the bathroom where he was promptly pulled inside, as Elliott closed the door shut behind them both.

Which is why it was so difficult for him to sit back and watch his partner do everything. 

"Babe, it's fine," Elliott assured him for perhaps the hundredth time that day. "I got this. Relax." 

"Alright...but if you need help…".

"You're there. I know," the trickster finished for him, with a chuckle. "But that would mean revealing the secret Witt family, BBQ ribs recipe. And we can't have that happening." 

Makoa sipped his drink slowly, continuing to soak up the sun. He wasn't quite sure what it was; it tasted fruity. Elliott had also made it, which automatically made it good in his book. It was perfect for a hot day, spent in the back garden. He was overjoyed to be back on Solace, having missed home dearly. The nice weather was just a bonus. 

"I missed the sun," he said, grabbing his boyfriend's attention, while he set something onto the grill, emitting a satisfying sizzle. 

"I can tell," the trickster responded, with a small laugh. 

He looked his partner over, who seemed perfectly content. His dark hair fell freely over his shoulders and his skin appeared to shimmer in the sunlight. He was breathtakingly handsome. 

"I bet your mom is happy to have you back on the planet, huh?" 

Elliott's gaze fell back on the food, idly poking a burger with his cooking thongs. 

"Y-yeah. Of course, she is." 

Makoa pushed his sunglasses onto the top of his head, sitting up straighter in his seat as he looked towards his boyfriend. 

"Did you...tell her we were back?" 

The trickster sighed, his shoulders appearing to sag under some invisible weight. 

"...No." 

"Elliott…". 

"I w-will, okay? I'm just...jet lagged." 

Makoa reached out for his partner, catching him by the wrist and pulled him into his lap. 

"I have to keep an eye on the food," the trickster whined, a small pout forming on his plushy lips. 

A gentle finger was hooked under his chin, turning him to look at his boyfriend. 

"You know you can talk to me about anything, love," Gibraltar told him, running a soothing hand down his back. "That's one of the many things I'm here for, you know." 

"I know, I know," Elliott sighed, absentmindedly picking at a loose thread in his shorts. "I just...hate burdening you with this stuff. Like...especially now since we're home and you're so happy…". 

"You're not a burden. Don't ever think that," his boyfriend replied firmly, but still with a hint of gentleness that only Makoa seemed to pull off. "How was she the last time you talked to her?" 

"Not...the best," the trickster said sadly. "I just wish I...there was something more I could do." 

"You're doing your best," Makoa spoke, brushing his boyfriend's curls to one side. "That's all you can do. Your mom appreciates everything you do, Elliott. Even if she can't really tell you it, right now."