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English
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Part 12 of Hey Sweetheart ‘25
Collections:
Hey Sweetheart 2025
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Published:
2025-02-13
Words:
303
Chapters:
1/1
Comments:
20
Kudos:
24
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2
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128

Copy That

Summary:

Hayes's eyes flickered open, catching Malcolm's gaze. "You're staring," he said, voice rough with sleep.

"Merely conducting a security assessment," Malcolm replied with a small smirk. "Can't be too careful, even in one's own quarters."

Notes:

hooray for my second Rayes fic

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

Malcolm Reed stirred slowly to consciousness, awareness creeping in like dawn breaking over Earth's horizon. The familiar vibration of Enterprise's engines hummed through the walls, but for once he felt no urgency to leap out of bed and report for duty. It was their rare shared day off, and Hayes's solid warmth beside him made the prospect of moving seem entirely unappealing.

 

He turned his head on the pillow to study Hayes's profile in the dim light. The MACO's usually stern features were softened in sleep, the perpetual furrow between his brows smoothed away. A shaft of light from the viewport caught the silver at his temples, and Malcolm felt an unexpected surge of tenderness.

 

Hayes's eyes flickered open, catching Malcolm's gaze. "You're staring," he said, voice rough with sleep.

 

"Merely conducting a security assessment," Malcolm replied with a small smirk. "Can't be too careful, even in one's own quarters."

 

Hayes huffed out a laugh, rolling onto his side to face Malcolm. "And what's your assessment, Lieutenant?"

 

Malcolm reached out to trace his fingers along Hayes's jaw, morning stubble rough against his fingertips. "Situation appears stable, though continued observation is recommended." He paused, then added softly, "Go back to sleep, sweetheart. We've nowhere to be."

 

Hayes's eyes widened slightly at the endearment – it wasn't something Malcolm used often, too British and reserved for such casual declarations. But here in the quiet morning, wrapped in shared warmth and privacy, it felt right.

 

Hayes caught Malcolm's hand and pressed a kiss to his palm. "Copy that, sir," he murmured, eyes already drifting closed again.

 

Malcolm settled back against the pillow, listening to Hayes's breathing even out. The ship hummed around them, carrying them through the stars, but for now their whole universe was contained within these quarters, in this peaceful moment between sleep and waking.

Notes:

don't forget to feed the writer

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