Fic: Names and Truths in Photographs; Tim Drake/Michael Holt; NC-17; Part 12/12
Title: Names and Truths in Photographs
Author: Aravis Tarkheena
Part: 12/12
Pairing: Tim Drake/Michael Holt
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Violence. Grief. Angst. Smut. Also, I feel compelled to mention, this story also discusses Michael's suicide attempt. It's not a major plot point, but it's there.
Disclaimer: Not mine, everyone's legal.
Word Count: 31,000ish
Author's Notes: Written for scifibigbang. Thanks for darkdanc3r for the beta and to lyanth for the fan art. You guys are awesome. <3
Summary: Elijah Steinmen, a friend of Michael Holt's, has run into some trouble. While trying to help Eli out of a bind, Michael runs into a bit of trouble himself. Trouble by the name of The Dark Hunter. AU, future fic. Slash.
Index Post
Chapter Twelve
Michael disconnected his call to Waller with a sigh and resisted the urge to call Calet. There was no way he would have been able to explain his involvement in the case or how he knew the things he knew. There was also no way he could even speak to the man without shouting.
He felt so deeply sorry for Vanessa. She was in for one hell of a surprise and Michael hoped, for her sake, that she wasn't arrested as an accessory.
The more Michael thought about the whole ordeal the angrier he became. Calet knew a number of the people he had robbed. He had worked with them on projects and invited them into his home. It was a cruel sort of dishonesty that made Michael seethe.
He and Calet eaten together, they had spent days and evenings in each others company. They had talked and confided in one another but Michael knew, deep down, had his name been on that list, Cyberwear would have been the first company to be hit.
Calet had gone after Steinman, after all, and they were nearly just as close.
The realization stung.
Michael paced furiously across the small living area in the hotel room, trying hard to calm his mind and his emotions. His head was reeling and he had to work to keep his breathing even. There were a million things he still needed to do before this case was over and he had no time for this pointless fit of rage.
Michael needed to call Stienmen and tell him who was at the bottom of his embezzlement problem. He and Tim needed to use the information they had to track down the Tradesmen that Calet had hired. They needed to recover the stolen property. They needed come up with an abridged version of what had transpired on the case to feed to Waller.
There were also probably a half a dozen things that Michael couldn't remember at the moment because he couldn't seem to even think straight. His hands were balled into fists and his teeth were clenched, every muscle in his neck and shoulders felt tense and hard. He ached with the effort not to shout and yell and just thoroughly lose his temper.
Calet had jeopardized the jobs and livelihoods of hundreds of people for his own greed.
It just wasn't fair.
Michael grimaced and shook his head in disgust. While he could get the money and the equipment back from the people who had been robbed, their reputations would probably suffer. Stocks would drop, management positions would change and ultimately the corporate machine would eat up whoever it decided to lay blame on.
Michael stopped his pacing in the middle of the living area. He sighed deeply and let his head loll back on his shoulders. He made his muscles deliberately relax. When he lifted his head to do some breathing exercises in an effort to calm his temper, something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye.
The door to his bedroom was slightly ajar and the bed was only slightly visible around the door frame. Tim was snuggled into a deep mound of pillows at the head of Michael's bed, one of Michael's large sweatshirts just barely covering him. His face was relaxed for the first time in days and there was a small smile hovering at the corners of his mouth.
Michael suddenly realized that he was smiling too. All the tension had melted out of his neck and shoulders and his breathing was deep and even again. His smile widened as he walked towards the bedroom and pushed open the door.
Tim didn't wake up until Michael sat down on the bed beside him. His blue eyes blinked open and he looked up at Michael with a sleepy, considering expression on his face.
"Feeling better?" Tim asked lazily before he yawned.
"Better?" Michael inquired.
"Mmm, you were furious earlier. Not that I can blame you," Tim replied. He didn't even bother to sit up when he started speaking to Michael. The side of his face was still half pressed into a pillow and only one of his eyes was visible. He blinked it slowly in a sleepy sort of way.
"It just goes to show that you never really do know someone," Michael said philosophically.
Tim let out a low, scoffing sound and rolled his one visible eye.
"That's not true at all. We've only known each other for about a week and you know I wouldn't screw you over like that," Tim said insistently.
"You set off an alarm just to keep me from getting information about your case," Michael pointed out, amused.
"That was five minutes after we met," Tim shot back indignantly. "I'd like to think we're on firmer ground now. All I'm saying is that some people are just deceitful and other people aren't. The problem with deceitful people is that they're often pretty hard to spot. What with all the deceit."
Michael let out a low breathy laugh and smiled.
"So we're on firmer ground, huh?" he asked lightly.
"I am wearing your underwear," Tim pointed out smoothly.
"That automatically puts us on firm ground?" Michael asked with a grin.
"I've found it to work that way. I mean, did you ever let Calet wear your underpants?" Tim asked pointedly.
"No, I never did," Michael laughed and Tim smiled sleepily back at him.
Tim looked lovely, laying there in Michael's bed in an overlarge sweatshirt with his face flushed with sleep. Tim was smiling happily, clearly pleased that his efforts to cheer Michael up had worked. There was a hint of self satisfaction to those knowing blue eyes and it made something hot curl in the pit of Michael's stomach.
"Thank you, for helping me with this, for being my back up, for cheering me up," Michael said seriously. "And--" Tim cut Michael off.
"Uh oh. Is this going to be one of those action movie 'I couldn't have done it without you' moments?" Tim groaned and Michael grinned. Tim rolled his eyes.
"I couldn't have done it without you, Dark Hunter," Michael intoned dramatically, deliberately using Tim's code name.
Tim groaned louder and pulled one of the pillows over his head. Michael snatched it back off.
"No no no. If you get to make snide remarks about my balls, I get to say this," Michael insisted as Tim laughed softly. "It's only fair."
Tim nodded. "I'll give you that one," he conceded. "Carry on."
"You're clearly feeling uncertain about your place in the world. You've had a lot of rough spots lately and you don't feel comfortable in your new skin just yet. I get that. I understand what it is to not know how you fit into an imperfect world, a world that has changed so drastically around you and left you reeling in it's wake." Michael watched as Tim's eyes went serious and all trace of a smile vanished from his face. Those blue eyes took on that haunted look that was so dreadfully familiar to Michael.
"I just want you to know," Michael plowed on, hoping to dispel that look once and for all, "the person that you are now may not feel right to you and you may not like the person that you are but I like you and I like the way you make me feel. I also know that I'm not alone in this. You wouldn't have so many friends willing to help and work with you if that wasn't the case."
Tim's haunted expression shifted to one of thoughtfulness. His eyes sharpened and regarded Michael with consideration.
"I just want you to know that Dark Hunter, Tim Drake or whatever it is you decide to call yourself, I like that person and I value him for his insight, his sense of humor and his beautiful artwork," Michael concluded and watched Tim's face intently for a reaction.
Tim was quiet for a few long moments before a smile started at the corners of his mouth again.
"Mmmm, this is starting to feel less like an action movie and more like a teen romance," Tim teased but he seemed pleased at Michael's confession.
"Teen romance?" Michael asked with affected surprise. "Tell me you aren't that young."
"Alright, twenty-something romance, then," Tim amended with a laugh.
"Oh good," Michael said with relief. "I was starting to reconsider..."
"Reconsider what?" Tim asked slyly.
"This," Michael said and kissed him.
Tim's mouth was soft and warm, his lips were hesitant and slow to respond. The kiss was lazy and light, teasing in a way that seemed very in keeping with Tim's temperament. Tim played his lips lightly across Michael's nipping softly before he lightly bumped their noses together and rested his forehead against Michael's with a contented hum.
"I'm glad you did that," Tim told Michael in a very mellow sort of voice.
"Really?" Michael asked him seriously. "It's really ok?"
Tim opened his eyes and smirked at Michael. "All systems are go," he teased and kissed Michael again.
This time, the kiss was anything but playful. Tim's mouth was firm on Michael's and his tongue ran hotly over Michael's lower lip. He wrapped his arms around Michael's neck and pulled him in close, keeping one hand at the back of Michael's skull, guiding him as Tim devoured his mouth.
That hot, molten sensation that had curled in Michael's stomach when he caught sight of Tim in his bed reasserted itself. It hit him hard and fast this time, nothing at all like the slow, sultry sensation that had so taken him before. This time it was like a red hot shock that took him by surprise and brought to life every nerve ending in Micheal's body.
His skin itched for the feel of Tim's fingers and his body ached for Tim's touch.
Michael would have groaned if the sensation had left any breath in his lungs. All he could do gasp and tense as Tim's fingers played along his scalp and neck, scratching Michael's sensitive pate and digging firmly into knotted muscle.
Tim let his mouth trail down from Michael's neck. He nipped and bit down Michael's jaw line, running his soft tongue against the beginnings of stubble on Michael's chin. Tim's teeth caught suddenly around Michael's ear and he bit down gently on the lobe before licking his way up to the shell.
Michael shivered.
"You're trying to kill me, here, aren't you?" Michael asked, his voice nothing more than a breathy husk.
"Do you have a self destruct button behind your ear?" Tim asked conversationally in a voice that was much to even for Michael's taste. "You're not secretly an android are you, because I'm not into that."
"No," Michael answered with a laugh, "I'm certainly not an android."
"Mmmm, good," Tim murmured and kissed Michael again.
The kiss was long and deep. It made Michael's stomach clench and body ache and he couldn't resist the urge to skate his hands up under the sweat shirt Tim was wearing and run his fingers across Tim's bare belly. The sensation of hot skin and tense muscle under his finger tips made Michael go a little dizzy around the eyes.
Tim seemed to like it as well because he broke the kiss on a gasp and arched up into Michael's touch. His soft skin was taunt over muscle and bone as Tim pressed himself into Michael's hands. Michael could feel Tim's heart beating frantically under his palm and Michael's mouth went dry.
He grabbed the hem of the sweatshirt and pulled it up over Tim's head. Tim twisted and flexed in an effort to help him and Michael tossed the shirt aside and immediately dropped his mouth to the bare expanse of Tim's chest.
Tim let out a sharp little sound of pleasure as Michael wrapped both his hands around Tim's upper torso as he kissed and sucked his way across it. Tim's movements, under him, were becoming more of a frantic undulation as Michael strived to kiss him everywhere he could reach.
When Michael's mouth closed over Tim's nipple he shouted and arched, pressing his whole body against Michael's and Michael was suddenly very disappointed that they were not completely naked yet.
Michael pulled off Tim and stood at the side of the bed as tore at his shirt and jeans. Tim just stared dazedly up at him for a few confused seconds before he seemed to catch on and kicked off Michael's boxers.
He came up on his knees while Michael was still standing above him. Tim gazed at Michael's naked body very carefully for a long moment. He licked his lips pointedly and locked eyes with Michael. The he reached out a deliberate hand and wrapped his fist around Michael's erection.
Michael swore and couldn't seem to stop the involuntary rock of his hips as he thrust himself into Tim's hand. Tim stroked him slowly, deliberately, never breaking eye contact. He leaned forward and pressed a wet kiss to Michael's chest that vividly brought to Michael's mind Tim's comment about blowing him on the roof.
There was a buzzing in Michael's ears and he felt his knees go weak. He wrapped his arms around Tim again and Tim released him as Mchael lifted Tim. Michael climbed back onto the bed and knelt against the headboard. He pulled Tim to sit on his bended knees and pulled him in close.
He pressed his mouth against Tim's as he hugged them tight together. They kissed hot and frantically. Michael gasped as Tim arched his hips up and pressed their erections together between them. It was more than Michael could take.
He reached down and wrapped his fist around them both. Tim cried out as he threw back his head and thrust himself into Michael's hand. And soon that's all it was: thrusting hips and panted gasp as they moved together. Tim's body arched and his muscles tensed, his skin was slick with sweat and every rub of Michael's cock against his own made Tim gasp.
They came together, just like that, slick with sweat and spit and clinging to each other as best they could. Tim's voice broke on a cry and he shook and shivered in Michael's arms, his finger nails scrabbling against the bare skin of Michael's back.
Tim's whole body was flushed and sleek and perfect in Michael's arms as they settled back down in the bed to catch their breath.
"Thank you," Tim said softly after a while and Michael opened one eye to look down at him.
Tim was nestled against his shoulder and looking pensive.
"For what?" Michael asked, his voice sounding pleasantly hoarse.
"For what you said, about me and about my art. I do appreciate it," Tim said seriously. "Turns out, you're not so bad yourself."
"Mmmm, and it only took averting a governmental incident and hot messy sex to get you to admit it," Michael teased.
"Just imagine how difficult it would be to get me on a proper date," Tim replied playfully.
Michael gave him a mock horrified look. "You'll give me nightmares!"
Tim smirked at him. "Don't worry fair citizen," he said in smooth, deep tones. "The Dark Hunter will keep you safe as you sleep tonight."
"I'm counting on it," Michael replied, only half kidding, and Tim laughed before pressing a soft kiss to Michael's shoulder and drifting off to sleep himself.
THE END
Author: Aravis Tarkheena
Part: 12/12
Pairing: Tim Drake/Michael Holt
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Violence. Grief. Angst. Smut. Also, I feel compelled to mention, this story also discusses Michael's suicide attempt. It's not a major plot point, but it's there.
Disclaimer: Not mine, everyone's legal.
Word Count: 31,000ish
Author's Notes: Written for scifibigbang. Thanks for darkdanc3r for the beta and to lyanth for the fan art. You guys are awesome. <3
Summary: Elijah Steinmen, a friend of Michael Holt's, has run into some trouble. While trying to help Eli out of a bind, Michael runs into a bit of trouble himself. Trouble by the name of The Dark Hunter. AU, future fic. Slash.
Index Post
Chapter Twelve
Michael disconnected his call to Waller with a sigh and resisted the urge to call Calet. There was no way he would have been able to explain his involvement in the case or how he knew the things he knew. There was also no way he could even speak to the man without shouting.
He felt so deeply sorry for Vanessa. She was in for one hell of a surprise and Michael hoped, for her sake, that she wasn't arrested as an accessory.
The more Michael thought about the whole ordeal the angrier he became. Calet knew a number of the people he had robbed. He had worked with them on projects and invited them into his home. It was a cruel sort of dishonesty that made Michael seethe.
He and Calet eaten together, they had spent days and evenings in each others company. They had talked and confided in one another but Michael knew, deep down, had his name been on that list, Cyberwear would have been the first company to be hit.
Calet had gone after Steinman, after all, and they were nearly just as close.
The realization stung.
Michael paced furiously across the small living area in the hotel room, trying hard to calm his mind and his emotions. His head was reeling and he had to work to keep his breathing even. There were a million things he still needed to do before this case was over and he had no time for this pointless fit of rage.
Michael needed to call Stienmen and tell him who was at the bottom of his embezzlement problem. He and Tim needed to use the information they had to track down the Tradesmen that Calet had hired. They needed to recover the stolen property. They needed come up with an abridged version of what had transpired on the case to feed to Waller.
There were also probably a half a dozen things that Michael couldn't remember at the moment because he couldn't seem to even think straight. His hands were balled into fists and his teeth were clenched, every muscle in his neck and shoulders felt tense and hard. He ached with the effort not to shout and yell and just thoroughly lose his temper.
Calet had jeopardized the jobs and livelihoods of hundreds of people for his own greed.
It just wasn't fair.
Michael grimaced and shook his head in disgust. While he could get the money and the equipment back from the people who had been robbed, their reputations would probably suffer. Stocks would drop, management positions would change and ultimately the corporate machine would eat up whoever it decided to lay blame on.
Michael stopped his pacing in the middle of the living area. He sighed deeply and let his head loll back on his shoulders. He made his muscles deliberately relax. When he lifted his head to do some breathing exercises in an effort to calm his temper, something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye.
The door to his bedroom was slightly ajar and the bed was only slightly visible around the door frame. Tim was snuggled into a deep mound of pillows at the head of Michael's bed, one of Michael's large sweatshirts just barely covering him. His face was relaxed for the first time in days and there was a small smile hovering at the corners of his mouth.
Michael suddenly realized that he was smiling too. All the tension had melted out of his neck and shoulders and his breathing was deep and even again. His smile widened as he walked towards the bedroom and pushed open the door.
Tim didn't wake up until Michael sat down on the bed beside him. His blue eyes blinked open and he looked up at Michael with a sleepy, considering expression on his face.
"Feeling better?" Tim asked lazily before he yawned.
"Better?" Michael inquired.
"Mmm, you were furious earlier. Not that I can blame you," Tim replied. He didn't even bother to sit up when he started speaking to Michael. The side of his face was still half pressed into a pillow and only one of his eyes was visible. He blinked it slowly in a sleepy sort of way.
"It just goes to show that you never really do know someone," Michael said philosophically.
Tim let out a low, scoffing sound and rolled his one visible eye.
"That's not true at all. We've only known each other for about a week and you know I wouldn't screw you over like that," Tim said insistently.
"You set off an alarm just to keep me from getting information about your case," Michael pointed out, amused.
"That was five minutes after we met," Tim shot back indignantly. "I'd like to think we're on firmer ground now. All I'm saying is that some people are just deceitful and other people aren't. The problem with deceitful people is that they're often pretty hard to spot. What with all the deceit."
Michael let out a low breathy laugh and smiled.
"So we're on firmer ground, huh?" he asked lightly.
"I am wearing your underwear," Tim pointed out smoothly.
"That automatically puts us on firm ground?" Michael asked with a grin.
"I've found it to work that way. I mean, did you ever let Calet wear your underpants?" Tim asked pointedly.
"No, I never did," Michael laughed and Tim smiled sleepily back at him.
Tim looked lovely, laying there in Michael's bed in an overlarge sweatshirt with his face flushed with sleep. Tim was smiling happily, clearly pleased that his efforts to cheer Michael up had worked. There was a hint of self satisfaction to those knowing blue eyes and it made something hot curl in the pit of Michael's stomach.
"Thank you, for helping me with this, for being my back up, for cheering me up," Michael said seriously. "And--" Tim cut Michael off.
"Uh oh. Is this going to be one of those action movie 'I couldn't have done it without you' moments?" Tim groaned and Michael grinned. Tim rolled his eyes.
"I couldn't have done it without you, Dark Hunter," Michael intoned dramatically, deliberately using Tim's code name.
Tim groaned louder and pulled one of the pillows over his head. Michael snatched it back off.
"No no no. If you get to make snide remarks about my balls, I get to say this," Michael insisted as Tim laughed softly. "It's only fair."
Tim nodded. "I'll give you that one," he conceded. "Carry on."
"You're clearly feeling uncertain about your place in the world. You've had a lot of rough spots lately and you don't feel comfortable in your new skin just yet. I get that. I understand what it is to not know how you fit into an imperfect world, a world that has changed so drastically around you and left you reeling in it's wake." Michael watched as Tim's eyes went serious and all trace of a smile vanished from his face. Those blue eyes took on that haunted look that was so dreadfully familiar to Michael.
"I just want you to know," Michael plowed on, hoping to dispel that look once and for all, "the person that you are now may not feel right to you and you may not like the person that you are but I like you and I like the way you make me feel. I also know that I'm not alone in this. You wouldn't have so many friends willing to help and work with you if that wasn't the case."
Tim's haunted expression shifted to one of thoughtfulness. His eyes sharpened and regarded Michael with consideration.
"I just want you to know that Dark Hunter, Tim Drake or whatever it is you decide to call yourself, I like that person and I value him for his insight, his sense of humor and his beautiful artwork," Michael concluded and watched Tim's face intently for a reaction.
Tim was quiet for a few long moments before a smile started at the corners of his mouth again.
"Mmmm, this is starting to feel less like an action movie and more like a teen romance," Tim teased but he seemed pleased at Michael's confession.
"Teen romance?" Michael asked with affected surprise. "Tell me you aren't that young."
"Alright, twenty-something romance, then," Tim amended with a laugh.
"Oh good," Michael said with relief. "I was starting to reconsider..."
"Reconsider what?" Tim asked slyly.
"This," Michael said and kissed him.
Tim's mouth was soft and warm, his lips were hesitant and slow to respond. The kiss was lazy and light, teasing in a way that seemed very in keeping with Tim's temperament. Tim played his lips lightly across Michael's nipping softly before he lightly bumped their noses together and rested his forehead against Michael's with a contented hum.
"I'm glad you did that," Tim told Michael in a very mellow sort of voice.
"Really?" Michael asked him seriously. "It's really ok?"
Tim opened his eyes and smirked at Michael. "All systems are go," he teased and kissed Michael again.
This time, the kiss was anything but playful. Tim's mouth was firm on Michael's and his tongue ran hotly over Michael's lower lip. He wrapped his arms around Michael's neck and pulled him in close, keeping one hand at the back of Michael's skull, guiding him as Tim devoured his mouth.
That hot, molten sensation that had curled in Michael's stomach when he caught sight of Tim in his bed reasserted itself. It hit him hard and fast this time, nothing at all like the slow, sultry sensation that had so taken him before. This time it was like a red hot shock that took him by surprise and brought to life every nerve ending in Micheal's body.
His skin itched for the feel of Tim's fingers and his body ached for Tim's touch.
Michael would have groaned if the sensation had left any breath in his lungs. All he could do gasp and tense as Tim's fingers played along his scalp and neck, scratching Michael's sensitive pate and digging firmly into knotted muscle.
Tim let his mouth trail down from Michael's neck. He nipped and bit down Michael's jaw line, running his soft tongue against the beginnings of stubble on Michael's chin. Tim's teeth caught suddenly around Michael's ear and he bit down gently on the lobe before licking his way up to the shell.
Michael shivered.
"You're trying to kill me, here, aren't you?" Michael asked, his voice nothing more than a breathy husk.
"Do you have a self destruct button behind your ear?" Tim asked conversationally in a voice that was much to even for Michael's taste. "You're not secretly an android are you, because I'm not into that."
"No," Michael answered with a laugh, "I'm certainly not an android."
"Mmmm, good," Tim murmured and kissed Michael again.
The kiss was long and deep. It made Michael's stomach clench and body ache and he couldn't resist the urge to skate his hands up under the sweat shirt Tim was wearing and run his fingers across Tim's bare belly. The sensation of hot skin and tense muscle under his finger tips made Michael go a little dizzy around the eyes.
Tim seemed to like it as well because he broke the kiss on a gasp and arched up into Michael's touch. His soft skin was taunt over muscle and bone as Tim pressed himself into Michael's hands. Michael could feel Tim's heart beating frantically under his palm and Michael's mouth went dry.
He grabbed the hem of the sweatshirt and pulled it up over Tim's head. Tim twisted and flexed in an effort to help him and Michael tossed the shirt aside and immediately dropped his mouth to the bare expanse of Tim's chest.
Tim let out a sharp little sound of pleasure as Michael wrapped both his hands around Tim's upper torso as he kissed and sucked his way across it. Tim's movements, under him, were becoming more of a frantic undulation as Michael strived to kiss him everywhere he could reach.
When Michael's mouth closed over Tim's nipple he shouted and arched, pressing his whole body against Michael's and Michael was suddenly very disappointed that they were not completely naked yet.
Michael pulled off Tim and stood at the side of the bed as tore at his shirt and jeans. Tim just stared dazedly up at him for a few confused seconds before he seemed to catch on and kicked off Michael's boxers.
He came up on his knees while Michael was still standing above him. Tim gazed at Michael's naked body very carefully for a long moment. He licked his lips pointedly and locked eyes with Michael. The he reached out a deliberate hand and wrapped his fist around Michael's erection.
Michael swore and couldn't seem to stop the involuntary rock of his hips as he thrust himself into Tim's hand. Tim stroked him slowly, deliberately, never breaking eye contact. He leaned forward and pressed a wet kiss to Michael's chest that vividly brought to Michael's mind Tim's comment about blowing him on the roof.
There was a buzzing in Michael's ears and he felt his knees go weak. He wrapped his arms around Tim again and Tim released him as Mchael lifted Tim. Michael climbed back onto the bed and knelt against the headboard. He pulled Tim to sit on his bended knees and pulled him in close.
He pressed his mouth against Tim's as he hugged them tight together. They kissed hot and frantically. Michael gasped as Tim arched his hips up and pressed their erections together between them. It was more than Michael could take.
He reached down and wrapped his fist around them both. Tim cried out as he threw back his head and thrust himself into Michael's hand. And soon that's all it was: thrusting hips and panted gasp as they moved together. Tim's body arched and his muscles tensed, his skin was slick with sweat and every rub of Michael's cock against his own made Tim gasp.
They came together, just like that, slick with sweat and spit and clinging to each other as best they could. Tim's voice broke on a cry and he shook and shivered in Michael's arms, his finger nails scrabbling against the bare skin of Michael's back.
Tim's whole body was flushed and sleek and perfect in Michael's arms as they settled back down in the bed to catch their breath.
"Thank you," Tim said softly after a while and Michael opened one eye to look down at him.
Tim was nestled against his shoulder and looking pensive.
"For what?" Michael asked, his voice sounding pleasantly hoarse.
"For what you said, about me and about my art. I do appreciate it," Tim said seriously. "Turns out, you're not so bad yourself."
"Mmmm, and it only took averting a governmental incident and hot messy sex to get you to admit it," Michael teased.
"Just imagine how difficult it would be to get me on a proper date," Tim replied playfully.
Michael gave him a mock horrified look. "You'll give me nightmares!"
Tim smirked at him. "Don't worry fair citizen," he said in smooth, deep tones. "The Dark Hunter will keep you safe as you sleep tonight."
"I'm counting on it," Michael replied, only half kidding, and Tim laughed before pressing a soft kiss to Michael's shoulder and drifting off to sleep himself.
THE END