it's a fine line to walk but if anyone could walk it, it'd be either one of them. they just need to find their balance which, in time, they will.

until then, they might have to brace through a few rough arguments.

"i'll try to tell you how i feel."

he smiles, returning the soft kiss.

"me too. now let's finish up because i'm starving."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

While Mars may have been in a committed relationship before, that was different from this. She had been his friend since he was a child, after all, and that meant he could easily read her moods and knew exactly what she liked and what she did not.
[break][break]
This is something he reminds himself of: that if they want to know how the other feels, they need to tell each other as much, because they don’t yet know it all. One day, maybe they will, but Mars would prefer to reach the point where they can just openly talk about things that upset them without an argument. Surely this is something they can do. If anyone can do it, it’s them. Together.
[break][break]
”Good, or I’ll be really sad.”
[break][break]
The hand that had been caressing Cian’s cheek shifts if only to pinch it, and Mars chuckles with this.
[break][break]
”Okay, okay, pass me the soap. Let’s get out of here quickly.”
[break][break]
As fun as a shower may be, Cian’s right: they should go make dinner.




[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

together.

of course they can. they make the best team, obviously.

passing mars the soap, he chuckles as he nods in agreement.

"let's."

his own shower doesn't take that long and this he's the one who steps out first, drying himself off right outside before wrapping the towel around his waist.

with a few moments to spare until mars finishes, cian walks over to the bed, sighs, and plops down, exhausted as hell.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Mars has always been the type to take relatively longer showers, because he has never needed to rush things like those. Still, when Cian leaves, he makes a point to make it quick, switching the water to the colder side because it’s refreshing. It wakes him. It washes away all those feelings of exhaustion and fatigue. For now, at least.
[break][break]
Once out, he dries himself off, a towel being wrapped around his waist only to walk into the room and find Cian lying face-down on the bed.
[break][break]
It’s adorable, and it makes Mars chuckle as he steps closer, sitting at the edge of the bed and leaning over him.
[break][break]
”Aw, babe, are you tired?”
[break][break]
A hand at the small of his back, a kiss at his shoulder blade…
[break][break]
He knows Cian is tired, Mars himself is too, but he promised to make dinner, didn't he?
[break][break]
”You wanna take a quick nap while I cook?”
[break][break]
He smirks, if only so slightly. Would Cian really miss out on the chance of seeing him cooking? It’s a bit of a cruel offer, really.





[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

as always, mars' touch is welcome. a chuckle meets his words in response, head tilting over so his cheek presses into the soft mattress.

"you wish."

his voice is muffled. blinking, he peers up at mars.

"there's no way i'm missing you cook."

and yet he hasn't moved nor does he particularly want to. but he knows it's a sight to see, and who knows? if he misses it, mars could likely just phone andrea and get food helicoptered in or something.

so he sits.

"ready when you are."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

When Cian turns, a finger gently pokes his cheek, Mars smirking.
[break][break]
”Had to try.”
[break][break]
It’s not like he would have actually cheated and had someone else cook for him or anything, because he does want to do it himself, but it would also be easier to do so without Cian there watching every step. Especially if he were to make a mistake. But, not like he would, of course, because Mars doesn’t make mistakes. Let’s just ignore all those he made when learning how to perfectly cook a simple recipe so that they wouldn’t happen in front of Cian…
[break][break]
Cian who sits up, apparently unwilling to miss out on the rarity that is Mars cooking.
[break][break]
It makes him laugh.
[break][break]
”Alright, let me just throw some clothes on. I’m not cooking in a towel.”
[break][break]
He grins with this, but he does stand, walking over to go find some clothes.




[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

it's okay, cian won't be watching every single step. he's far too tired to do that. he just wants to be in the same room as mars, really.

"pretty sure some chefs cook in the nude."

he chuckles, following after to borrow some clothes as well.

"isn't that what that show naked chef is about?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

”Is it? I don’t watch much TV. I’d be disappointed if it isn’t though.”
[break][break]
How could Mars watch TV with how busy he is? He does sometimes, when there’s something specific he’s looking for or if Cian wants to watch something with him, but otherwise he definitely doesn’t have the time for it. Not when he could be using his freetime to do things that are much more fun and interesting…
[break][break]
Just like this is.
[break][break]
”Either way, I’m not cooking in the nude when you’re too sleepy to pay attention.”
[break][break]
Of course he’d blame it on Cian, a smirk being offered to him, to go along with a kiss at his cheek.
[break][break]
A shirt is thrown on, and he picks out a pair of pants, ignoring the fact that some droplets of water are still falling from his hair.
[break][break]
”Ready?”


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

for the record, naked chef is definitely not a show about nude chefs, which was disappointing to find out.

cooking in the nude sounds like a recipe for disaster, however, so he's not surprised.

"i'm not too sleepy."

he pouts as he lazily tosses on whatever clothing he can find. stifling a yawn, he nods.

"ready."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

”You’re so fucking sleepy."
[break][break]
The pout is adorable, and Mars can’t help but laugh, pausing in the middle of getting dressed for the sole sake of kissing him.
[break][break]
Once they’re both ready, he takes his hand, smiling as they head over to the yacht’s kitchen. A place Mars so rarely visits because there’s usually a chef around to take care of the meals when using the ship.
[break][break]
It’s neat, pristinely clean, well-equipped, and surprisingly spacious for a ship. Leave it to a luxury yacht to even have a nice kitchen.
[break][break]
”So, how does pasta sound?”



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

with a sigh, cian nods. there's no denying the truth.

"yeah, i am."

but he's lead over to the kitchen all the same, excited as ever to see mars cook. is this the first time? probably.

"pasta sounds lovely. what kind?"

he leans against the counter, propping his chin on his palm as he looks at mars.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

It’s not the first time, but of course Mars won’t tell him that, because the fact that he has actually put effort into something that’s supposed to be so simple is not something he’d gladly admit to. Then again, who could blame him for not wanting the first time he cooks for Cian to be a total disaster?
[break][break]
”Just spaghetti, we’re keeping it simple.”
[break][break]
He smiles, reaching for a pan and putting water to boil in it, although honestly even spaghetti can be easy to mess up. He could overcook it or undercook it, that perfect al dente point being a bit tricky to master for some.
[break][break]
”Aglio e olio, actually. It shouldn’t take long... Wanna get some wine to go with it or are you too tired?”
[break][break]
Just olive oil and garlic, nothing more is needed. Not with quality ingredients and when cooked to perfection.
[break][break]
A good wine to pair it with would be a nice addition, though.

[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

"just spaghetti sounds perfect."

when the option of wine is presented, cian hesitates — when was the last time he turned down a drink? fuck. he can't even remember anymore.

"i think i'm too tired, babe. but don't let me stop you."

he sighs, leaning further into his palm to take the weight off the rest of his body.

"maybe something more sugary..."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉