It’s cruel, but it’s also exactly what he expects Cian to do, and while some people would perhaps mind something like that and maybe even be upset about it, he instead smiles.
[break][break]
It’s cute.
[break][break]
The hand that isn’t holding Cian’s moves up to his cheek, a thumb gently tracing his lips. ”Don’t think too hard, you’ll get wrinkles like that.” He smirks, considering the question.
[break][break]
Where would he take Cian?
[break][break]
Hoenn isn’t exactly a prime vacation destination with everything that constantly happens in the region, but even here there are places that have a certain appeal and charm…
[break][break]
”How about the hot springs? Work’s been kind of stressful lately and I could use a relaxing weekend… maybe even a massage at the spa.”
[break][break]
Stressful, and yet he’s taking this afternoon off to spend time with Cian.
[break][break]
Not that Mars really minds.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

”Oh, how dare you. My skin will always be beautiful and flawless, thank you very much.”
[break][break]
He laughs too, and he knows Cian is right: he does stress way too much sometimes. How could he not though, with this kind of life? It all always keeps demanding more from him, when in truth Mars would much rather spend every moment like this – with Cian.
[break][break]
In a perfect world, he’d do exactly that.
[break][break]
But, since this fucked up world is far from perfect, he’ll conform with what they have.
[break][break]
Moments like these, vacations, and a weekend at the hot springs...
[break][break]
Once again, Cian’s right: that too is perfection.
[break][break]
”Alright, then. I look forward to it.” He smiles, because he really does.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

The kiss is gladly returned, and Mars smiles as he looks at Cian.
[break][break]
For a moment, a comfortable silence lingers between them, but the knock on the door interrupts that moment all too quickly.
[break][break]
”Fuuuuuck, I forgot about that.” He had, because even when just having a conversation, Cian seems to have a way of making everything else seem less important to Mars. He doesn’t mind it. Not most of the time. Except, perhaps, for times like this one.
[break][break]
Not without first giving him one last quick kiss, Mars stands, scrambling to put on his shirt just so he isn’t in nothing but boxers when the door opens. It remains unbuttoned though, and Andrea gives the office a single glance before turning to face the window.
[break][break]
Both her expression and her tone speak of how utterly unimpressed she is by it all:
[break][break]
“Mister Del Mar, the car is waiting for you. Would you like me to contact the branch managers and let them know something came up and we must reschedule?”
[break][break]
Mars looks at Cian, a smirk tugging at his lips. He wants to laugh, and yet his response is perfectly calm and composed. ”That would be lovely, Andrea, thank you.”
[break][break]
His assistant nods. “I assumed as much, although a text would have been appreciated. I also believe you would like to know the room doesn’t seem to be completely soundproof – you may have given your receptionist a shock earlier. I'll arrange a gift basket.”
[break][break]
And with that, she’s gone, the door closing behind her.
[break][break]
Well, at least his receptionist will probably have something interesting to gossip about... and a gift basket.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

His poor receptionist.
[break][break]
Mars can do no more than sigh the moment the door closes, a hand running through tousled brunette hair only to end up resting at the back of his neck. Still, he chuckles quietly, finally retrieving his phone from the desk.
[break][break]
Too little, too late.
[break][break]
”I think I might have to give her a raise… and Andrea too while at it.”
[break][break]
With these words it is that he returns to the couch, sitting near Cian. He looks down at him, and there is a slight smile.
[break][break]
”At least now we actually have the afternoon all to ourselves.” With a single finger, he gently pokes Cian’s cheek, now smirking. ”Anything in particular you’d like to do, tesoro?”
[break][break]
Tesoro. Treasure. As in ‘you are my treasure.’



[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

Andrea has definitely walked in on much worse. Of course she has, she has known Mars since he was a teenager, and at the end of the day, the truth of the matter is that he often is much more like a friend she has to look after than her boss. He’s not even the one who pays her wages, after all.
[break][break]
But, there’s no need for explaining all that to Cian right now, or for him to be aware of what Andrea’s actual job description and skillset is behind the personal assistant façade.
[break][break]
All that is meaningless to Mars.
[break][break]
Instead, there is the here and the now, and the short laugh that comes at Cian’s reply.
[break][break]
Out of all things, he definitely didn’t expect that.
[break][break]
”Okay, sure, let’s golf. But... I expect to be properly rewarded when you inevitably lose.” He grins, teasing.

[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

This time, Mars is the one who pouts when his cheek is pinched, this coming unintentionally and being all too quickly replaced by a smirk. The smirk is intentional though, as his smirks always seem to be.
[break][break]
”Oh, I’ll remember them, since you are going to lose.”
[break][break][break]
It may all be fun and games, but Mars’ competitive streak always shows, and Cian may be good at golf, but is he the ’made sure to be great at golf even if he finds it kind of boring, all for the sole sake of betting against other rich CEOs and securing better deals’ kind of good? Leave it to Mars to go to lengths like those for the sake of getting what he wants.
[break][break]
And yet, as much as he may care about winning, the way Cian grins distracts him from all these thoughts – as do the words that follow.
[break][break]
Babe.
[break][break]
Has Cian ever called him anything like that before?
[break][break]
If he had, Mars is sure he would remember, but he finds that he likes it quite a lot.
[break][break]
And so, he stands too, closing the distance between them in a few steps only to wrap his arms around Cian once standing behind him.
[break][break]
”Are you though?” The words are whispered in a playful tone, coming in the company of a kiss at the nape of his neck.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

”Oh yeah? Why’s that? I don’t think you teasing me more is very fair though,” he laughs, because he does know why Cian wants him to pout more, given that it’s the same reason why he loves it when Cian himself does things like those.
[break][break]
The teasing he can also stand, as long as it’s coming from Cian.
[break][break]
After all, it’s not like Mars is very innocent in this either, is he now?
[break][break]
Especially not now that he’s stopping him from getting dressed; holding him a little closer and a little tighter the moment they kiss – fingers gently tracing bare skin.
[break][break]
He only pulls away oh so slightly in order to look at him, and a radiant grin tugs at his lips. ”Mmm… I think the golf course can wait.”
[break][break]
With this said, he leans in once again, this time placing a kiss upon the side of Cian’s neck. As hungry as the last.
[break][break]
That’ll probably leave a mark later.



[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER