#nathan x malachi.oo1

[ofwishfulthinking]

As Malachi listened to Nathan describe his perfect self care day, he couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. It sounded so perfect, just a relaxing day of prioritizing rest. The smile grew when Nathan mentioned spending time with his girls. It was a nice little image. "So, what's keep you from doing it," Mal questioned. It was rich coming from him, seeing as how they'd both confessed more or less to being married to their jobs. "Aside from work, of course." As if that wasn't a big enough hindrance. But at the end of the day, work came and went. Malachi knew that, intellectually. Still, it was easier said than done. "I mean, we could both promise to take a day and do all the self care things we've talked about. I'm sure neither of our jobs would go up in smoke." Even as he said it, Mal knew that he couldn't be one hundred percent sure. There was always the possibility that things would fall apart when he was away and he'd return to find that the gym had experience irreparable ruin, but that was a risk he had to be willing to risk. "I think we've both earned a day off."

Mal could feel the heat rush to his cheeks. He was sure, in fact, that the tips of his ears were on fire. He'd never quite been good at giving compliments, and had been even worse at receiving them. Still, attractiveness was an objective fact, he supposed. "That sounds nice," he commented, brushing off his previous embarrassment. "Just a lot of time with Athena and Vince and his family. I don't really have much going on outside of that. Oh," he added, almost as an afterthought, "I did discover recently that I have a sibling. So, that's fun."

A snort of laughter very nearly escaped Nathan at the other's words. He supposed it was a strange subject to settle on really, the pros of massage 'and touching in general' as Malachi had said. For a moment, he pondered the question and placed a finger to his lips in thought, tapping it there, once, twice. "First off, I'd sleep until eleven, I'd allow myself the lie-in that I constantly deny myself. Breakfast next. ( Well, brunch I suppose considering the time. ) So, brunch, at a cafe in town. I'd sit outside if it's not too cold, enjoy a large black coffee and eggs benedict." Another moment's silence. "Maybe take a walk, enjoy being in the moment for a while. I'd take the girls for ice cream." Probably not what one would expect from a self-care day, but they never did get enough quality time together. "After that, I probably would stop in at a spa for a couple of hours, unwind a little. The evening would probably consist of my favourite movie and my favourite takeaway." He laughed then, shaking his head. "So, yeah, that... possibly," he said, shoulders lifting in a nonchalant shrug. His companion's reaction to his previous comments brought on another laugh and a brow lifted a little. Not everyone was good at taking compliments and he'd witnessed it all in his time. "Thank you," he responded, dipping his head in a slight nod, the beginnings of a playful smirk appearing. "Most of my time has been spent with my daughters really, whenever I've had a chance. How about you? Any time for anything else?"

[ofwishfulthinking]

"I guess not," Malachi conceded. Not that he'd know how to do self-care if it was left up to him. "So, outside of massages or touching in general," he hedged, "and assuming I'm going to take your advice and get an assistant, what would you suggest? What would your perfect self-care day look like?" It was an interesting prospect, one he'd never really consider for himself, but now that he'd asked the question, Mal couldn't help but wonder how he'd answer if it was posed back to him. Athena would be involved, of course. In the years that she'd been with him, Malachi had found that he almost felt most relaxed and centered when she was nearby.

In an effort to hide what was he sure was a blush, Malachi brought the glass to his lips. He'd nearly forgotten the drink in front of him, but now it seemed like the perfect opportunity to hide his embarrassment. "Thanks," he mumbled. Nathan was only saying it to be polite or kind, he suspected, but still the words caused the tips of his ears to heat. "Guess the same can be said for you. Not that you asked. I'm sure you hear that often." Malachi coughed to stop himself from rambling. "So, outside of work, what else have you been up to?"

"Doesn't hurt every now and again, though, right?" Nathan lifted a shoulder in a shrug, taking another sip of his drink. He supposed he'd never really been the sort either, up until he'd become a parent anyway, and then he'd realised how important that was every now and again. It was all well and good giving everything to your kids, but you needed to look after yourself, too. It wasn't a bad thing, no matter how much some parents would argue over it, how it was selfish. He'd realised he had a very different mindset from some. "Pretty sure that doesn't count as self-care either," he laughed. "Not the way you make it sound, anyway." His eyes rolled as Malachi continued on. "This old guy? Seriously?" More laughter, and then he added, "You clearly have no idea how good you look." No word of a lie and he'd hope he knew what he was talking about seeing as he'd spent so much of his time around models ( a ridiculous amount of time really when you looked back ). "Up to you if you choose to believe me or not," he mused.

[ofwishfulthinking]

"Don't think I've ever tried that," Malachi admitted. He was notoriously bad at relaxing. How was he supposed to do that when there was so much to do? Plus, it was his establishment. If he didn't do it, who would? "Sounds good, though. Maybe I'll force myself to book a massage when this thing is all over." It was a pipe dream, most likely, but gave him something to work towards.

"No, but I'm seriously considering hiring one. At least, temporarily." He coughed out a laugh. Once renovations were finished, he still had to think about an opening event and then reaching out to clients to ensure that the classes were scheduled and filled. "If you know anyone send them my way." Malachi run a hand through his hair, scratching at his temples. "What I wouldn't give for quiet right now. Feel like switching? I'll take photos and you can deal with the construction workers." Mal was only teasing. He was much too introverted to do what Nathan did. Plus, he was pretty sure he lacked the creative gene. "I feel like I've aged at least fifteen years and it's showing."

Laughter slipped from Nathan's lips; he could completely relate to what Malachi was saying. Sometimes, no matter how much he wanted to, he just couldn't allow himself to stop and relax for a little while. It was definitely something he needed to work on changing in the near future, there was only so long you could keep on going until it drove you to distraction. "Well, you and me both," he answered lightly. "Apparently a hot stone massage is a good place to start." "Do you actually have an assistant?" It was a fair question as far as he was concerned, because sometimes he did wonder, considering how much Malachi frequently told him he had on. "Ten years. That's a seriously depressing thought." A shake of his head followed, and then he reached out for the drink the bartender had just brought over. "Quiet's nice, but I'm definitely not used to it," he responded. "If anything, I'd rather take your schedule right now."

[ofwishfulthinking]

"I'm not typically a treat myself kind of person." It had always felt indulgent, something that reminded him too much of his grandparents. He had the resources, he could afford to be more self-indulgent, but something in him revolted at the idea. Maybe he'd start small, do something to unlink the idea of luxury and overindulgence in his mind. With a self-conscious laugh, he continued, "I'm bad at the idea of self-care unless it involves running until I can't think anymore. Can't you tell?"

Maybe self care started with finding an assistant. That seemed like a better plan that any of the other things people had suggested. Malachi chuckled a bit remembering when the therapist had suggested meditation. As if he wanted to spend anymore time in his thoughts than he already did. "That's because you don't know what I looked like fifteen years ago. You've only just known me as this old guy," Mal countered. "Just a grumpy greying recluse."

Nathan's smile was soft and he shrugged, a light laugh escaping. "I think I've tried it all at this point," he admitted. "If not out of choice, because someone's dragged me somewhere." He had a ridiculous memory of someone who'd once attempted a photoshoot in a sauna —- safe to say it was a complete waste of time and was never going to work out well. "You should. Never hurts to treat yourself after a job well done." Nodding, he reached out for his drink and took a small sip before speaking again. "It definitely helps," he answered. "Once I opened the studio I didn't really have much of a choice. I was getting overwhelmed by things on a daily basis." Another nod. "Will do!" As Malachi continued, he had to laugh, couldn't help himself. It was a kind laugh, though, and he leant across the table a little. "If it makes you feel any better, you definitely don't look like you have," he told te other, flashing a grin. "But sure, you wanna trade places for a while, why not? Can't say say how much use I'll be, though."

[ofwishfulthinking]

"Relax." Malachi repeated the word as if it was a new one for him, completely alien to his vocabulary. He would have laughed if he wasn't sure that Nathan's comment had been somewhat serious. "Not sure if I know how to do that." He'd been joking but there was an element of truth to the statement. Renovations were wrapping up, but that opened up a whole new world of things that needed to be done. "There's still so much that needs to happen before I can actually put out any of the new rooms to use," he explained. "This whole thing started because we'd gotten requests for a bigger variety of fitness classes, but I don't think I realized what rolling those out would entail." The words were punctuated by a self-deprecating chuckle. "Maybe I'll be able to relax in ten years or so." Malachi's shoulder in a half shrug of sorts, eyebrow raising as Nathan recounted his day. "Quiet is nice, right? Must be a nice change of pace."

Brushing the apology off, Nathan's smile was an easy one. Just as soon as Malachi mentioned work he could understand it, there had been many a time he'd let himself get caught up and stayed here much, much longer than he should have. But when he had nothing else it do, it was fairly easy to get carried away. "It's all good," he answered the other man with a slight shake of his head. "It happens." Too often probably.

With Malachi's drink request received, he turned to the bartender to order their drinks, tapping his phone against the card machine a moment later. He could then give the other man his full attention and intended to do just that. "That's good news then," he answered. "Does that mean you can finally relax a little?" A brow lifted in amusement. "Because you need to." He was only teasing and he fairly guilty of the same himself. "Not too bad actually, fairly quiet, had a few shoots at the studio."

[ofwishfulthinking]

"Sorry." The apology was out of his mouth before Malachi even realized that Nathan must have been joking. "I got caught up at work." He offered the reasoning with a shrug as if it was no big deal because, ultimately, it hadn't been a big deal. There had been a minor issue that he'd had to address and by the time he'd glanced at the clock again, he'd realized that he was cutting it too close to be on time.

"Whiskey sour," Malachi answered easily as he settled into the stool beside Nathan. He was more a social drinker and would likely be poking at the drink for the remainder of the evening, but after the day he'd had, he deserved it. "Good enough," he answered with a sigh. "Busy, but I think the renovations are finally finished." Malachi felt as if Swolemates had been under construction for years now, but it had only been a few months. Now, though, his team could lead up more specialized classes and attract more clientele. It was a win in the long wrong. It had just taken all of his energy to see it through. "How about you? Good day?"

for: @ofwishfulthinking ( malachi! ) location: hell & high water

"And here's me thinking you were about to stand me up..." the words fell from Nathan's lips easily, a playful smile dancing about his features as Malachi approached him. The words had only been meant in jest, completely unserious, and yet, there could have been a slight double meaning ( an undertone ) if someone looked close enough. He'd grown to know the other man quite well recently, their work bringing them together, time spent discussing all sorts of things, both work and non-work related. It was at a point now where he regarded him as a friend, which is how they'd ended up where they were tonight.

"What can I get you?" he asked a moment later, casting a glance to the nearest bartender in an attempt to get their attention. "You had a good day?" The questions could have come thick and fast, honestly, but he left it at that, resting an elbow casually on the bartop as he waited on a response.