Chapter 10
Fitz and Mack arrived at a featureless concrete grey building on the outskirts of town. Mack made a phone call and a few minutes later a figure came out through a heavy security gate and motioned for them to enter.
‘Mack, where are we?’ Fitz asked, but Mack just gave him a grin and kept his mysterious date plans to himself. He wanted to keep the surprise a little longer. They stopped at a glass booth and were given visitor badges.
They followed a man in some kind of black military uniform through corridors until a door opened into a large hangar. Mack looked across to check Fitz’s reaction. It was exactly what he’d been hoping for.
Fitz had stopped to stare, a look of wonder on his face. In the middle of the space was what looked to be a space shuttle. His mouth hanging open he looked over at Mack, ‘Is that-is that the Orion?’
Mack looked smug, he knew as an engineer Fitz would love to see the spacecraft and luckily he had pulled in a favour from a friend that worked on-site.
‘Sure is Turbo, want to have a closer look? But I promised we wouldn’t actually touch anything okay?’ Their guard nodded to confirm.
Fitz looked disappointed at that but still eagerly ran across to the ship. Mack felt a warmth in his gut seeing Fitz so caught up in the excitement.
Mack hadn’t expected Fitz to understand the workings of it quite the way he did. He thought it would be more of a puzzle, but Fitz seemed quite familiar with the design. Fitz’s enthusiasm was catching. He enjoyed explaining his way around the craft and Mack enjoyed listening. Their guard was probably learning things too, Mack smiled at the thought.
‘Hey Turbo, you got something to tell me? You make a habit of hanging out on space shuttles?’ Mack asked.
Fitz flushed and grinned, ‘No, but I am very familiar with aviation design and I have spent a lot of time studying craft like this, kind of a hobby. Wait till I tell Jemma, she will be so jealous.’
Of course Mack should have known that Fitz would find studying complicated schematics a leisure activity.
They spent a couple of hours going over the ship. Fitz began making notes and told Mack he had some ideas to pass on that might help with the overall design. Mack followed watching adoringly and was glad his unusual date choice had paid off so well.
When Fitz had finally had his fill, and his stomach had rumbled for the third time, they decided it was time to go, Fitz looking wistfully back at the ship as they walked away.
‘We just got to head in here and say thank you to Kevin for letting us see the place,’ Mack said, and they entered a small office. A large muscular man dressed in the same black military gear got up and pulled Mack into a hug.
‘Kevin, it’s good to see you man. Thanks for letting us do this. This is Fitz, Fitz, Kevin.’
‘Nice to meet you Fitz. Mack! It’s been too long. What did you think of her?’ Kevin asked.
‘She’s great,’ Fitz jumped in, ‘I’ve formulated a method to increase acceleration, but with more time and access to your files I can improve it, also the electromagnetic-‘
Kevin cut him off, ‘Doctor Fitz, I looked you up before I could grant you access. Your reputation proceeds you.’ Fitz looked at the ground, unwilling to take the compliment. ‘You’re a lot younger than I expected. We would be more than happy to hear from someone with your background. Here’s my card, I can put you in touch with the other brains, the ones that will make more sense of your ideas than I can.’
Fitz put the card in his back pocket and nodded.
‘Feel free to call me, anytime,’ Kevin said, his hand briefly fell on Fitz’s shoulder and gave a squeeze.
Mack frowned, trying not to feel like a jealous idiot. It was just Kevin being his usual flirty self, it didn’t mean anything. Despite that, Mack still found his arm going around Fitz’s shoulders in a show of possessiveness.
‘I’ll do that,’ Fitz agreed.
‘Thanks Kevin,’ Mack said, ‘Fitz and I have to get going, we’ve got plans.’ As they turned to leave, Mack dropped his arm but was unable to stop from placing his hand on the small of Fitz’s back to guide him forward. It didn’t hurt for Kevin to know that Fitz was taken.
Another nameless figure in military black led them back out of the building, emerging into the sunshine Mack blinked at the brightness. The figure disappeared back behind the plain grey facade.
‘So, good date?’ Mack asked, sure he knew the answer. Fitz's arms came up around his neck and the kiss he received in response let him know he’d chosen wisely.
When they pulled apart Mack asked, ‘food?’
‘You read my mind,’ Fitz said.
‘Takeaway? Or eat out somewhere?’ Mack asked.
‘How about I order some food and we go hang out at yours?’ Fitz suggested.
Mack was surprised, Fitz’s apartment was bigger, but he wasn’t about to pass up some quality time with the man he liked. Really really liked.
They spent the evening eating Indonesian noodles, drinking cheap beer, and watching bad 80s sci fi. It was one of the most perfect evenings Mack could remember. They chatted, they laughed, being with Fitz was such an easy fit. It was like hanging out with his best friend, but a friend with gorgeous blue eyes, slightly messy dark blonde curls and a mouth he just couldn’t seem to stop kissing.
They got distracted during the third film and kissing led to making out on the couch. The heat always built between them so quickly. Mack was struggling to control himself, not wanting to push, until Fitz suggested they move to the bedroom. Mack had hoped the evening would end this way, Fitz in his arms, their naked bodies as close as could be. As he kissed down Fitz’s chest, his hand between Fitz’s legs teasing, the rush of affection he felt caught him off-guard. It wasn’t just sex; he knew this was it for him, he knew it instinctively in a way he’d never experienced before. No other guy had made him feel this way.
Later, both sated and very relaxed, Fitz rested his head on Mack’s naked chest. Mack curled his arm around him and held him close. Fitz kissed Mack’s chest gently, until his breathing slowed, and his eyelids flickered down. Mack placed a kiss on Fitz’s messy curls and ran his fingers through them softly, trying to think of what to do. He couldn’t let this end; he couldn’t let Fitz leave. He was going to have to talk to Bobbi, she was his best friend, but she also seemed to understand the world Fitz came from. A world of espionage and secrets. Maybe she could help him figure this out.
Looking down at the sleeping man in his arms Mack thought to himself, so loudly he felt Fitz should have heard him, ‘I love you.’