by Ana Night
He walked over to the easel. There was a blank canvas on it, but he couldn’t remember what he’d been about to paint. He forged a lot of paintings, so it could’ve been one of those, or he could’ve just been about to paint something for himself. Painting was how he’d gotten into selling forgeries. At an early age, he’d found out he was good at replicating other's work and then it’d just grown from there. His parents hadn’t been around much and even when they were, they barely noticed him, so they never had a clue what he was doing. His mother died in a car crash when he was eleven and his father had disowned him the second he found out Sean was gay, which was when he was fifteen. He’d lived on the street or stayed with friends when he could. By the time he finished high school, his business had already been running for a year. He’d started out stealing and replacing art with his own forgeries and as much as he missed the adrenaline kick he’d gotten out of it, what he’d always loved the most, was the art.
Living like he had when he was younger made him appreciate everything he had. He loved his big house, the pool, every car he’d ever owned. He liked living in luxury. But he never forgot what it was like to have nothing and no one, to be afraid every day. So when he’d met Joker and he’d given Sean an opportunity to do something good with his skills, he hadn’t hesitated to say yes. He charged them next to nothing and he only charged them anything at all because King had refused not to pay.
Sean turned to the table next to the easel where he kept his tools and the paint. He grabbed a clean palette and began mixing paint. When he was done, he picked up a pencil. He turned to the canvas and hesitated. He hadn’t painted for a while and he still didn’t know what to paint. But there was one thing he could paint in his sleep. One person. He dipped the pencil in paint and began painting.
Mal
He walked down the stairs to the basement, the low hum of music leading him towards Sean. There was an open door and when he stuck his head inside, he found Sean with his back to him. He was standing in front of an easel, a pencil in hand and his ass shaking to the music. He’d never seen Sean in action before. Granted, he’d never seen Sean’s basement before either, so it wasn’t really that surprising.
He leaned a shoulder against the doorframe and watched. Sean looked… free, when he was working. He liked seeing him like that.
The song changed and Sean began to sing along, leaving Mal staring at him with his mouth hanging open. He’d experienced first-hand how awful the man could sing, so to hear him actually sing like a fucking pro shocked the hell out of him.
Sean turned and when he saw Mal, he jumped and squealed. With a hand on his chest and a startled look on his face, he waved his pencil at Mal.
“Motherfucker,” Sean blurted out.
Mal pushed away from the door and shrugged, saying, “Not really my thing.”
Sean pointed the pencil at him accusingly.
“Don’t do that. Don’t sneak up on me like that, you perv.”
“Perv?”
Sean arched a brow at him. “Well, you were watching me, weren’t you?”
Mal’s lips quirked into a smile. He walked across the room to take the pencil out of Sean’s hand. He put it on the palette that was lying on the table and moved to stand in front of Sean.
“What if I was?”
Sean’s breath hitched and his pupils dilated. Mal slid a hand around the back of Sean’s head, burying his fingers in Sean’s hair. He lowered his head, stopping just before their lips met. Sean made a sound in the back of his throat and closed the distance between them. The kiss turned heated quick and Sean opened to him with a moan. His body thrummed with desire as his tongue explored Sean’s mouth and Sean’s hands slid up Mal’s chest. Sean pulled back when they were both in desperate need of air. Mal stared at Sean, licking his lips. Sean smirked, then pulled a condom and a packet of lube out of his pocket.
“A bit optimistic, don’t you think?” Mal teased as he took both and laid them on the table behind Sean.
Sean shrugged. “More realistic, I think.”
“You’re such a dork.”
“You’re a dork,” Sean retorted.
“And so very mature.” Mal crooked a finger at Sean. “Come here.”
Sean stepped right up to him, wrapping his arms around Mal and bringing their mouths together. Mal backed Sean against the table and swept his arm across it, sending things flying. Sean didn’t seem to mind too much as he clung to Mal. Mal lifted Sean up on the table and stepped between his legs. He leaned close to put his lips on Sean’s.
Sean reached between them, pulling down Mal’s zipper. He slid his hand inside and wrapped his fingers around Mal’s erection. Mal sucked in a breath, thrusting into Sean’s hand. Sean tightened his grip while he drew Mal’s lower lip into his mouth and bit down. A low growl escaped Mal and he took a step back, pulling Sean off of the table. He tugged Sean’s sweats down to his thighs before turning him around and bending him over the table. He ran his hands over Sean’s perfect ass, then kneeled down behind Sean. He spread Sean’s cheeks and speared his hole with his tongue. Sean cried out and pushed back against Mal. The more he fucked him with his tongue, the louder Sean got.
He pulled back and got to his feet. He grabbed the packet of lube and tore it open. He poured some onto his fingers and slid them between Sean’s cheeks. He got Sean ready as fast as he dared but didn’t stop before Sean told him to.
Mal rolled the condom down his hard length and wrapped his hand around his cock, stroking himself to spread the lube. He held his cock against Sean’s entrance and leaned down to put his mouth by Sean’s ear.
“You ready, baby?”
“Fuck, yeah,” Sean breathed.
He pushed inside Sean, his breath hitching at the tight heat. He loved being inside Sean. Loved when he gave himself over to Mal and to the pleasure. He pulled back and thrust into Sean, making them both cry out. He set a slow pace that quickly had Sean pushing back against him in search of more. Mal dug his fingers into Sean’s hips and fucked him harder, the table rocking beneath him.
“Oh, fuck,” Sean muttered.
“You feel so fucking good,” Mal said.
The sounds coming from Sean turned him on like nothing else. He watched his cock slide in and out of Sean’s tight hole. He wanted Sean to feel him for days, wanted him to feel everything Mal was feeling. Sean trembled beneath him.
“Fuck. Mal. I’m close,” Sean gasped.
“Right there with you, baby.”
He slid a hand up Sean’s back to grab a fistful of Sean’s hair. He tugged, turning Sean’s head to take his mouth in a sloppy, desperate kiss. Sweat ran down his forehead as he snapped his hips against Sean’s ass, driving himself deep into Sean. He leaned down to press a kiss to Sean’s shoulder. Sean moaned and his muscles tightened around Mal’s dick as he came. Pleasure burst through Mal’s body and he flexed his fingers on Sean’s hips, thrusting until he’d emptied himself.
He pulled out and threw the condom in a bucket that was on the floor. He turned Sean around and got on his knees to lick Sean’s come off of his stomach and cock. Sean hissed and his hand landed on top of Mal’s head. Mal rocked back on his heels and licked his lips. Mal tugged Sean’s sweats back into place and stood. He pressed a kiss to Sean’s lips before stepping back. He turned and when his eyes landed on the canvas, his heart skipped a beat.
“Is that… me?”
“Uh. Yeah.”
“Wow,” Mal said and moved to get a closer look.
Sean had painted his face and hair in dark colors, but his eyes were a vibrant blue. He’d never liked pictures of himself. At least, not after he’d gotten the scar. But this… this was something different.
“Is this how you see me?”
When Sean didn’t answer, he glanced over his shoulder to find the man with his eyes on the ground.
“You kept the scar,” Mal said, reaching for the painting but pulled back just before he could touch it. “I dou
bt most people would have kept it. It’d be prettier without it.”
“It wouldn’t be you and I like you just the way you are,” Sean said.
Mal turned and met Sean’s unwavering gaze. He didn’t doubt that Sean meant what he’d said. If he hadn’t already been in love with the man, he was pretty sure that would’ve sealed the deal.
Sean
The way Mal was watching him made heat burst through his body. He liked it. He liked it a lot. He took Mal’s hand and pulled him towards the staircase. They walked upstairs and Sean headed for the master bath. They’d only made it down the hallway when Mal’s question stopped Sean.
“Have you always been able to sing like that?”
Sean frowned up at Mal. “Like what?”
“You were singing in the basement. Like, really singing good,” Mal said.
Sean nodded and said, “Yeah, pretty much. I’m good but I’m not talent show good.”
“Why do you hide it?”
Sean couldn’t help his chuckle.
“I don’t, really. I just enjoy singing badly to annoy people.”
Mal cocked a brow at him and said, “Why am I not surprised?”
Sean shrugged, a smile teasing his lips. His stomach rumbled, reminding him that it was dinner time and that he hadn’t had much for lunch.
“You gon’ make me dinner, or what?” Sean asked and when Mal frowned at him, he said, “I mean, I did put out.”
Mal shook his head, a smile teasing his lips. He grabbed Sean by the hips and pulled him closer to press a kiss to Sean’s lips.
“I’ll make you dinner. Won’t be fancy, though,” Mal said.
“As long as it’s you making it, I’m good.” Sean smiled, then glanced towards his bedroom door. “I’m gonna take a quick shower.”
Mal gave him a nod and let go of Sean. He watched Mal walk towards the kitchen for a moment then turned to make his way to the bathroom. He showered and then found a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants to wear. Once dressed, he made his way to the kitchen where he found Mal standing by the sink.
“Open, you damned can of shit,” Mal growled.
Sean pressed his lips together and stepped up next to Mal.
“Did the soup offend you somehow?”
Mal turned a glare Sean’s way and thrust the can at Sean who took it with a barely hidden smile. He managed to get it opened and handed it back to Mal who took it while muttering to himself. Sean began to walk away but stopped and turned around just in time to see Mal flip off the can.
“You’re cute,” Sean said.
Mal turned narrowed eyes on Sean and stalked towards him. “I’ll give you cute.”
Sean’s eyes went wide and he whirled around to run out of the room. Mal caught him in the hallway, grabbing Sean’s hand and pulling him around, right into Mal’s chest. Sean put his hands in front of him to keep from slamming his head against Mal. He grinned up at Mal who narrowed his eyes at him.
“You’re still cute,” Sean said.
A growl left Mal and Sean barely had time to think before Mal had him pushed against the wall, his mouth attacking Sean’s. Sean returned Mal’s hungry kiss, wrapping his arms around Mal’s neck. Their tongues tangled, their breaths mingling as Mal pinned him to the wall. A phone ringing made Sean sigh into Mal’s mouth. He pulled back, sliding his hands down to lay on Mal’s chest.
“Sorry. I’ve gotta take that,” Sean said.
Mal looked like he was going to protest, but then he took a step back and let go of Sean. He walked into the living room while Mal went back to the kitchen. He found his phone on the couch and cringed when he saw that it was Auggie calling him. With a sigh, he picked up.
“Hi, Auggie.”
“Hey, Sean. So, I don’t exactly have a match on our mystery guy, but I found something that might help.”
Sean tensed. Said mystery guy was making him dinner right then.
“Uh, okay. What’ve you got?”
“I looked through all that footage you gave me and I caught a reflection of him getting into a car. I managed to get the license plate but the car was stolen. Not really a surprise, though. But I did manage to track down where and approximately when it was stolen so if there are any cameras there, we might be able to get something useful.”
Sean had to swallow hard against the lump that had formed in his throat. The longer Auggie kept looking for Mal, the longer Sean would have to come up with a valid excuse, or at least one that would ensure his survival. He hated lying to the Kings and especially Auggie. He was a really sweet guy who’d worked tirelessly on this. He didn’t know what to do so all he said was, “Sounds good.”
“Yeah. I just wanted to let you know. I’ll call Bones and get him on it,” Auggie said.
“Sure. You do that. Thank you, Auggie.”
He hung up and dropped his phone back onto the couch. He turned and his gaze landed on Mal who was standing in the doorway, wearing a frown.
“What was that about?” Mal asked.
“Just some business.”
“Business, huh?”
Mal didn’t need to know about it. It was bad enough that he’d done it for the guy. Telling Mal that he’d risked pretty much everything for him, especially seeing as Mal was only there because someone had hired him to take out Wade, felt too personal. He still wasn’t sure where they stood. What they were.
“Yep. Now, where were we? Oh, yeah,” Sean said and made his way over to Mal, putting his hands on Mal’s chest. “You were busy mauling me.”
“Pretty sure you were the one mauling me,” Mal said with raised brows.
Sean shook his head. “Nuh-uh. A hundred percent you did the mauling.”
“Whatever. Just go back to doing it,” Mal said.
Sean leaned in, putting his mouth on Mal’s. He smiled against Mal’s lips but then Mal slipped his tongue into Sean’s mouth and he forgot what it was he’d been smiling about.
Chapter Five
Sean
MAL HAD been staying with him for a week now. It was rather surreal. The sex was mind-blowing. But, then again, there were all sorts of blowing involved so why wouldn’t it be?
He hadn’t heard more from Auggie, so he chose to take that as a good sign. There was still a lot of things they hadn’t talked about. Like where they stood relationship vise. Or what Mal was gonna do once he was all healed up. If he was gonna leave or stay. If he even wanted to stay. He didn’t know how to ask Mal about any of those things, but there was one question he could ask.
He walked into the living room where Mal was sitting on the couch, watching TV. He made his way to the couch and stopped right next to it. Mal glanced up at him, a smile on his lips when he met Sean’s gaze. Mal returned his attention to the TV and grabbed his glass of coke, raising it to his lips.
Sean hadn’t asked before because the question was a bit in the gray area. From a business point of view, Mal shouldn’t answer him, but he hoped Mal would because it was him asking.
“Who hired you to take out Wade?”
Mal choked on his drink, getting coke everywhere. Sean snorted out a laugh and walked into the kitchen to grab a towel. He went back into the living room and handed it to Mal. When Mal had dried off his face, he put the towel on the coffee table and glanced up at Sean.
“Why do you want to know?” Mal asked, caution in his voice.
Sean shrugged. “Just, you know, wondering who else Wade fucked over enough for them to hire you.”
When Mal didn’t look like he was going to answer, Sean grabbed the towel and turned on his heels, heading back towards the kitchen.
“No one hired me,” Mal said.
Sean stopped, his heart skipping a painful beat before he turned to face Mal who was now standing.
“What do you mean no one hired you?”
Mal ran a hand through his hair, his eyes on anything but Sean.
“I was there for myself,” Mal said.
; Sean sucked in a sharp breath. “So you were working for Wade?”
Mal shook his head and took a step closer. “No. Never. He hurt you. Tried to kill you.”
Sean frowned at Mal. He wasn’t sure what Mal was trying to say. Evidently, his confusion was written all over his face because Mal sighed and said, “I was there to kill him because he hurt you.”
Sean blinked at him. It took a while before the meaning of Mal’s words registered.
“You…” Sean swallowed against the lump in his throat. “You did that for me?”
Mal nodded. “I want more, Sean.”
Sean shook his head. “No. You—What?”
“I want to be with you. I don’t want to just be another one of your flings. I want something real.”
Sean could do nothing but stare at Mal. Was he actually saying everything Sean wanted to hear?
“I shouldn’t have said anything. Forget it,” Mal said and turned, walking away from Sean.
Sean shook himself out of it and set after Mal. He reached him in the hallway and stepped in front of him to stop him. Mal scowled at him, but Sean just cupped Mal’s cheeks and kissed him. Even though Mal was hesitant, his lips were soft and pliant against Sean’s. He pulled back, meeting Mal’s eyes.
“They weren’t you,” Sean said.
Mal frowned. “What?”
Sean swallowed hard and shrugged. “The others. They weren’t you, so there was no use in keeping them around. They’d just remind me that I couldn’t have the real thing; you.”
Now, Mal was the one rendered speechless.
“You know, I thought you’d never have helped us if I’d called you when I saw you on that video the first day. I thought you’d only help if I hired you, and Wade had my money so I couldn’t do that,” Sean said.
Mal pressed his lips together, but if it was in displeasure or to hide a smile, Sean didn’t know.
“You thought I wouldn’t help you?”