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“You ever going to tell me something about you that's real?” Foxx asks not accusatory, just genuinely curious.
They had been dating a few weeks now and little had changed from when they weren't that wasn't physical. He wasn't sure what he had expected, but the whole ‘fight robots together to prove our love' thing Pen had asked of him left him with a different idea of what their relationship would look like.
The drink that's halfway to Pen’s lips pauses midair, condensation rolling down the glass.
He taps the glass to his chin then says, “I'm fond of perfume apples.”
Foxx snorts, shaking his head, he turns back to his latest diagram making small pencil marks by what he's already acquired. He figured he wouldn't get a straight answer, hell half the fun was wondering what would come out of the other man’s mouth.
Though for a man who likes to talk about himself, he revealed very little outside of his workout routine and day to day activities. Pen was fun, but it left Foxx wondering.
He was about to ask something else when he felt the other man's breath hot on his neck.
His diagram and question were quickly forgotten.
----
Foxx remembers every detail of Pen’s life he lets slip, hoarding them in the hope he'll get a better understanding of the man if he does. Half of them are contradictory, the other half too ridiculous to ever entertain as true, but still he remembers them.
So he was more than a little surprised when he stopped by the church dorm to see yellow flowers in a vase with a card from out of town on the end table. Pen had always talked about his fans but it was one of those things Foxx didn't believe. Until now.
Pen had just finished his workout. While wiping the sweat from his brow he noticed Foxx looking at them.
“I received some flowers today, and it's not even my birthday! How quaint, another secret admirer.”
Foxx made a humming noise unsure of what to say without it being glaringly obvious he didn't like someone bringing his boyfriend flowers. He instead turned his attention to what he originally came for, “Spar with me today?” he asked.
“Ha! Of course Skinny Arms! Your timing is perfect since I'm all warmed up from my workout, but that's not going to fair well for you. Not that I need a warm up to defeat you.”
And he was right, as usual per their spars Foxx laid flat on his back catching his breath after getting the absolute shit kicked out of him. Pen hit like a train and his only hope was that he was getting faster. There was a big difference from when he first arrived in Sandrock, but still, he wasn't even close.
He looked over from the ground to see Pen leaning against the ring watching him with a sly grin. It didn't even look like he had broken a sweat. Foxx puffed out an air of frustration, “I will beat you one day.”
Pen chuckled, “I always look forward to you trying.”
A few days later, Foxx can't help but notice a tourist attempting a bargain with Arvio over a bushel of apples from Portia. They were clearly overpriced and not something Arvio was willing to pay for, let alone something he would be able to resell for profit. Foxx smoothed himself into the conversation with ease and purchased them with the relief of both parties. He felt pretty lucky considering there wasn't a direct route to Portia. It was almost impossible to get them.
Most of the apples end up being rotted. He finds three that were rosey and ripe and placed them in a small basket with a note that said, “Something real for The Protector of Sandrock.”
Pen laughs when he reads it and bites into the fruit, the juices leaving his fingers sticky and wet, then asks what's the occasion.
Before Foxx can say he doesn't need an occasion Pen has already figured him out.
“Wait. This is about the flowers isn't it? Babe you're…jealous?”
Foxx huffs a ‘no’ crossing his arms, feeling his heated face give him away.
Pen chuckles and wraps his arms around him, “You don't need to be. You're the only one who gives me a warm little feeling in my six pack.”
He was about to shove his elbow right into that six pack when he realized Pen wasn’t letting go.
Foxx could swear if anything he was holding him tighter.
---
Every other day Foxx has been sparring with Pen. And every other day he was left looking at the sky bruised and breathless.
“How do you smash rocks all day and still have biceps like that? What's your protein intake like? Not hating…just saying.”
Foxx flipped him off hearing a chuckle. “And here I thought you liked my body,” he said, sitting up wincing. He looked to Pen eyebrow raised at the lack of response only to see him rubbing his neck in what appeared to be frustration. “Pen?”
“Up. We’re going again,” he said a more stern look on his face than Foxx was used to. Normally he would be in a great mood and talking himself up over how amazing he was after a fight. This was…different.
“Pen?” he tried again. “You…okay?” As soon as he said it the look was gone.
“Ah well, you know how I feel about teaching, but… . I'm not always going to be there to protect you, Skinny and you're not going to win by just running around,” he said this with a dismissive wave.
Foxx felt like there was more to the change in demeanor but before he could push the subject Pen was back in fight mode and coming toward him.
He blocked the first swing with his left, elbow up protecting his face, and drew his dagger back out with his right. “I haven't defeated you, but that doesn't mean I can't protect myself. You don't need to teach me anything.”
Annoyance prickled at the back of his neck. He was already exhausted from sparring and his daily commissions, he didn't need Pen’s weird mood to exhaust his body past his limit.
Rolling to his left, he narrowly dodged the next swing only to be caught from behind, an arm around his waist lifting him from the ground. Foxx reacted without thinking, swiping his dagger back and making contact. His eyes widened in fear as he was dropped, the smell of blood filling his nostrils.
“Shit! Pen I'm so sorry,” he turned to the other man only to be trapped back in his arms, this time affectionately.
His body vibrated with Pen’s as he could feel his laughter and he immediately relaxed. Wiggling his way out of his embrace he looked to see what kind of damage he did. The cut followed his jawline and was only noticeable due to the blood.
Reaching out his hands he cupped Pen’s jaw carefully turning to examine him. Foxx didn't know what was more embarrassing, the fact he was pretty sure the whole town could hear the other man laughing or the tiny nick of a cut he left that just happened to bleed a lot.
As he started to pull his hands away Pen grabbed them and kept them against his face. His laughter died down and he closed his eyes pressing their foreheads together, “Maybe I don't have anything to teach you after all. Since you just nearly killed me.”
Foxx pulled back startled, “What?!”
Pen grinned, placing Foxx''s hand about a thumb’s length farther back on his neck. “Major artery,” he said before kissing his wrist.
“I don't want you dead,” Foxx mumbled, headbutting him slightly. “Besides…what did you mean earlier? When you said you won't always be there to protect me?”
When he didn't get an answer he lightly kissed the cut on his jaw and whispered, “I want a happy ending, Pen.”
Foxx saw a flash of deeper understanding in his eyes and maybe also the faintest flash of panic before Pen kissed him hard. It wasn't an answer. He knew he wouldn't get a real one anyway. So he enjoyed the now, pulling the other man in closer.
---
Foxx was going to give Pen so much grief if he survived this. He should be there. Fighting with them, instead of losing a toughness test against some Duvos peppers.
Captain had led them right to Matilda and Logan, thankfully the minister looked unharmed though probably very uncomfortable. He couldn't say the same for the civil corps. It was three on one, Justice taking the lead with Unsuur and Foxx flanking. They were still losing. Logan had the upper hand in both strength and speed, it didn't help that they were on his turf.
He tried to hold his ground as the other two went down but found himself only defending. Logan had no openings and the smell of sweat and gunpowder was becoming overbearing.
Foxx hit the ground hard, dropping his knives in the process. He sat up slowly clutching his side, watching as Logan began closing the distance. He stopped suddenly looking behind Foxx and braced his arms in time for a hit, sliding several feet back.
Foxx felt his vision blur with the movement, as Pen jumped in swinging. They locked several times until Logan's defense broke and he went rolling to the ground having taken a direct hit. He recovered quickly, rushing over to Matilda and pushing off on the wheel she was strapped to before running in the opposite direction.
He pushed himself up forcing his body to move, following the path toward Logan as Pen went toward Matilda.
He's faster than the others, he could get there, he knows it. They were too close not to try. His heart was pounding in his chest, Logan was in sight and just out of reach when the explosion went off. Logan's face confuses him when he looks back his expression reads almost as if concerned or worried. Their eyes meet before the rocks come falling down. There's an intense ringing and everything goes white, then nothing.
---
Foxx recognizes the room he wakes up in, giving his muscles a chance to relax from his startled ruse from sleep. The clinic is louder than usual with X squawking and Pen’s shouts. He turns his head in time to see Fang usher him out with, “back…later.” He watches as long as he can before his body betrays him and the pain puts him back under.
When he wakes again Pen is there looking him over with a serious face. His eyes crinkle at the edges with crow’s feet Foxx hadn't noticed before. Pen always looks older when he's not in motion, not animated with his boasting or punching whatever's closest to him. The years pile on when he stops and he finally looks his age. It's one thing Foxx knows is real and keeps it close though he knows the other man wouldn't appreciate hearing it. He could have gone to the grave knowing little else about the man he’s loved harder than anyone else.
“Pen,” Foxx breathes, voice distant and hazy.
Their eyes meet and Pen smiles, “Hey there, Skinny.”
“Pen, tell me something about you that's real.”
Foxx’s fingers tingle as Pen takes his hand and presses it to his lips. His head is lowered almost as if in hiding when he takes a deep breath and whispers, “You scared the shit out of me.”
And for now it's enough.
---
It takes longer for Foxx to get back to his regular commission schedule than he likes. The ache and itch of the burns caused him to work painstakingly slow and he was falling behind. Thankfully his condition from the fight wasn't as serious as everyone thought. Fang’s biggest concern was a concussion and after some home care instructions he was free to leave.
Feeling frustrated with his work he put his tools down. It was close to sunset anyway and he'd rather go into town and spend his time on anything else. It wasn't just his injuries distracting him, a week had passed since the incident and he hadn't seen Pen once.
Foxx walked around town looking for him in his usual places, even stopping by the dorm but there had been no sight of him. Bothering Matilda was out of the question, she was a busy woman who was also recovering. Miguel was also out of the question. They had never really gotten along, he made sure to shoot disapproving looks when he was with Pen. Foxx didn't really have proof that he disapproved of their relationship, but he could feel it.
That left Burgess as the most likely candidate of knowing where Pen had run off to. It didn't take long to find him, strolling by the Oasis picking up trash.
“Hey Burgess!” Foxx called, waving him down.
Burgess looked over and waved excitedly. “Hello Foxx! How are you today? Not working too hard I hope. You need to rest.”
“I'm good, really,” Foxx said sheepishly. “Hey, you haven't seen Pen around have you? I haven't seen him all week.”
“Oh. Um. I thought you guys weren't getting along. I mean he's been going the opposite way every time he sees you.”
Foxx froze. “He's…avoiding me?” He asked, feeling sick to his stomach.
“Ah! But maybe I'm wrong! “ Burgess said quickly, seeming uncomfortable. “I'm not always good at reading social situations and I think everyone's focus has really been on Logan.”
“Yeah, finding Logan. He's probably just busy.” he didn't believe his own words. Logan had been an ongoing issue since he arrived. It never stopped Pen from seeing him before. He felt a lump forming in his throat that he couldn't swallow down.
Burgess patted him on the shoulder awkwardly and pointed up to the dorm. Pen must have gone up as he had come down. He thanked Burgess before slowly making the climb back. His steps were heavy as he ran through scenarios in his head. The thoughts were overwhelmingly negative which wasn't like him. He did his best to push them out as he reached the dorm, slipping inside making his way to Pen’s room.
Foxx listened for a minute at the closed door, hearing movement. He knocked before turning the handle and letting himself in. Pen was doing barbell curls while admiring himself in the mirror. A scene Foxx was very familiar with, he relaxed at the normalcy.
“Babe!” Pen addressed him with a large grin continuing his workout. “You don't usually visit me this late. Here to admire my sculpted form?”
Foxx leaned against the doorframe unsure of what to say. He wanted to forget it, act like everything was normal. Still Burgess noticed something was up too. His gut said something wasn't quite right.
“Foxx?” Pen asked his tone of concern. He stopped his routine and carefully placed the equipment down before walking over to him.
When he reached him, he was gentle in his motion, tipping Foxx’s chin up to look at him. “Hey..” he said, searching his face.
“Why are you avoiding me?” Foxx asked, not meeting the other man's eyes.
Pen’s eyebrows shot up and he gave his winning smile before saying, “Avoiding you? Nonsense! Someone has to hunt that bandit down! Logan is only getting more dangerous so I've been extra diligent in my search.”
A sharp sense of unease settled over Foxx. It was a lie, he was sure of it. He pulled his face away and turned to leave without answering. No more games. Before he could make it through the door Pen stopped him by wrapping his arms around him from behind.
“Foxx…look, I'm -” he said, turning him back around to face him. “I'm not good at this.”
The confidence and bravado are gone and what's left is uncertainty and wariness. It was Pen’s turn not to make eye contact.
“I don't…” he paused and clicked his tongue in annoyance. “I don't always handle anger well. I thought it was better to get control of it before I saw you again.”
There was no reason for it to be a lie, however Foxx still felt unsure. Paranoia was running rampant. He pushed it away telling himself he was being ridiculous.
“You were mad at me?” He asked, trying to understand.
“No, of course not. How could I be mad at you?” Pen said, pulling him further into the room. “I was angry Logan got away. I was angry you got hurt because of him.”
Pen sat on the edge of his bed with Foxx standing in front of him, “I should have told you what I was doing. Let me make it up to you?”
He held out his hand, the scene all too familiar. Foxx thought of their first proper date at Paradise Lost and couldn't help the butterflies in his stomach. He took Pen’s hand and was predictably swung onto the bed and pinned with a kiss. Even though he knew it was coming he loved it all the same.
Before he could get lost in the moment he placed his hand firmly on the other man's chest, pushing him away with a gasp, “You can't always use your body when I'm upset with you.”
“I could if you let me,” Pen pouted, rolling off of him to the other side of the bed. He pulled Foxx in close, spooning him and nudging his face into his neck. “Fine. What can I do instead?”
“Tell me a secret,” Foxx said with no hesitation, knowing full well the answer would probably be bullshit.
“One of mine or one for yours?” Pen asked.
“What? Why would I want one of my own? Besides, I don't have any secrets.”
“Hmmm really? Pretty sure you hate Hugo and Cooper's music.”
Twisting his way out of Pen’s grasp he straddled him and demanded to know how he knew, how obvious it was and threatened him with, "If you tell anyone I will put you somewhere the light will never reach.”
The room filled with Pen’s laughter and Foxx blushed knowing the whole church had to know he was in the dorm now. A gentle tug pulled on his heart as he watched the other laugh loud and unapologetically. It was one of his favorite things. It was real and raw and for that moment, his. Foxx couldn't remember what had gotten him so upset in the first place.
Pen pulled him back down as his laughter settled, pulling him close, “Stay here with me tonight.”
Foxx hummed in thought before saying, “Pretty sure Miguel doesn't like me and would have a conniption if he found me here overnight.”
“Yeah, don't care.”
“He doesn't…like us together, does he?”
“Again. Don't care.”
Foxx responded by nudging him, wanting more of an answer. Pen rolled his eyes before saying, “He’s concerned you're a distraction. I am dedicated to the church first and foremost after all.”
They laid in silence a moment before Foxx asked, “Am I?”
Pen’s head was buried into the top of his head but he thought he heard, ‘You have no idea.'
Before he could ask again, Pen spoke up, “I have a solution. What if you stop doing that nonsense builder thing over at that workshop of yours and join the church?”
Foxx chuckled, running his fingers in the other man's hair before asking, “And do what exactly?”
“Hm? Oh don't worry about that, we'll make up a position for you.”
They bantered and teased each other of what would actually happen if he did join, Pen seemingly determined to convince him, before falling into a comfortable silence.
Foxx was close to sleep when he thought of how Pen could really make it up to him. “Speaking of my ‘builder nonsense’…the guild awards are in a few weeks…” he said quietly hoping he would get the hint.
If Pen knew he was inviting him, he gave no indication saying “Yes, you're going to win them. Listen Skinny, no one likes a show off.”
---
It was the first day of the new year, his time in Sandrock had been going by so fast with the constant flow of work and excitement that it was hard to believe it was already time for the guild awards.
Foxx checked the time again as he pulled on his dress shirt and searched his dresser for some kind of tie. He had about 20 minutes before he needed to be there and he wanted to look good when he took Yan’s first place spot.
He knew he was a workaholic to reach first that quickly but what was really baffling him was how he was pretty confident Yan would still be taking second place. He hadn't seen that man work a single day.
A knock at the door broke his thoughts as he cursed buttoning his shirt. He wasn't expecting company but figured it was probably Mi-An wanting to know if he wanted to go together.
He checked his mirror quickly, making sure he was at least halfway decent before opening the door.
Foxx felt his jaw drop as he was met with Pen. Dressed up.
His eyes scanned over the shirt and vest lingering on every curve of his muscles.It was tailored to fit while still leaving room for comfortable movement. There wasn't even his cape attached. He looked good. Really good. Pen knew it too judging by the smug expression on his face. He let himself in by kissing Foxx, pressing him forward into the house.
“Y-you specifically said you wouldn't accompany me to the awards,” Foxx said, breaking away from the kiss.
“No, I said I wasn't going to be your arm candy. I never said I wouldn't go…but 30 min should be long enough right?”
“One hour.”
Pen was about to protest when Foxx interrupted, “One hour and then I'll pretend to have a horrible case of stomach cramps and you can sweep in, the sight worthy super hero, and insist on leaving.”
“Fine, but after,” Pen said, grabbing Foxx by the untucked hem of his shirt until their faces hovered an inch apart. Fingers slowly tucked his shirt into the hem of his pants, and Foxx was so hard he wanted to take back the hour commitment. “When I carry you out and bring you back here, you're mine.”
---
An hour on the dot and Pen didn't hesitate to throw Foxx over his shoulder racing him home laughing and squirming. The door was barely closed before their lips met and they were shrugging off their shirts and kicking off their shoes.
Pen pressed close, his shirt and vest long gone, the heat of his torso touching Foxx’'s, “I want to show you something about me that's real,” Pen said before kissing him. There was something extremely wanton and dirty about it. Raw and primal. He thrust his tongue into Foxx’s mouth like he owned the whole world, like he wanted to own him. It was so demanding, he'd never been so turned on.
“I love making you feel good” he said a growl at the end as he lifted Foxx up and steered him toward the bed. A jittery breath escaped him and the world tipped until he felt his bareback hit the comforter. Pen landed above him, arms caging him at either side. Foxx searched the dark for Pen’s expression. It was too difficult to read but the harsh quality of his breath suggested he was deeply aroused.
“Would it help you connect with your emotional side if I started sobbing?”
Pen gently pulled back. “Have you not noticed how I escape the room every time someone gets teary?”
“Good thing the lights are out. This would be an unfortunate time for you to escape.”
A laugh rumbled out of Pen, and he began roaming his hands across his chest. He skimmed his lips and nose over the side of his ribs, kissing and biting lightly. Foxx shivered as Pen stopped to remove what little clothing still remained.
“Want you so bad,” Pen groaned, resuming his position. He ground against him, in long, slow slides. His mouth met Foxx's neck, drawing indecipherable pleas from him.
Pen’s thrusts picked up their tempo, his teeth teasing his neck. Foxx hoped he left a mark. Hoped it lasted long enough for everyone to see it. Pen gripped his hips and shuffled down his legs, locking them in place.
He sank his mouth down on Foxx’s length, tongue sliding around him. Foxx gasped, clenching the sheets as he fought not to buck into the other man's throat. His body rippled with shivers at the intensity. Pen continued with vigor as his fingers massaged his balls and traced over his entrance.
Foxx pleaded and begged, biting his lip as Pen pulled away to drizzle lube on his fingers. He raised an eyebrow asking silent permission and Foxx felt heat ripping through him at the look alone. Pen was so damn confident in bed. So comfortably in charge, it made him melt.
Their mouths met as Pen pressed his fingers inside him. His breath hitched as he was stretched and kissed until he knew nothing but pleasure. A needy whimper left him as he became impatient with the pace.
He spread his thighs wider silently begging for more. Pen took the hint and removed his fingers, quickly slicking lube up his cock before repositioning himself. Foxx tilted his hips up crying out in pleasure as Pen pushed all the way in with a groan.
Pen drew out, palmed Foxx's inner knee nailing him in place and pushed into him again, building a quick pace. The bed groaned and whined under them as his body slapped against Foxx's.
Foxx moaned and grabbed Pen’s biceps, desperate for more friction. Garbled pleas left him. More. Faster. Harder.
Pen pushed in deep, swiveled his hips and kissed Foxx reverently. Foxx clasped Pen’s back as his pleasure crashed around him coming hard. He urged Pen on through his orgasm. They kissed until Pen’s breath grew ragged and he pulsed inside of him.
He rolled off to the side, holding Foxx close, face to face. Their breaths mingled as they enjoyed the afterglow, Pen grabbing Foxx's leg steering it over his hip. He cupped his nape and pressed their noses together.
They kissed lazily until Pen fell asleep, his arms still wrapped around Foxx. He placed his hand on the other man's chest feeling his heartbeat slow. This was usually the time his mind wondered the most about Pen but tonight he decided it didn't matter.
Pen showed up for the most important night of his career. He was here with him now.
It was real. And it was enough.