Upon finding out that I.O had fled the Daily Bugle, the Seven organized a quick meeting to tell the members who weren't aware of what was going on.

"It seems like our plan is working as intended with I.O having fled the Bugle!" The Foundation says, folding his arms. "I guess it's no surprise that Midas and The Origin were the cause of them surrendering the place."

Midas chuckles slightly, leaning back in his chair.

"Hehe, I'll bet Midas had 'em running in fear cos of how strong and powerful he is!" Jones points out, eyeing his boyfriend with a smile.

Midas blushes, a little embarrassed, but he appreciates Jones' compliments regardless.

"So, where are I.O headed next?" The Imagined questions, nudging The Foundation's arm.

"I've heard from one of our spies that they'll be headed to Condo Canyon next. So we'll be sending our forces there."

"In that case, I'll go too." Imagined says. "Give 'em a little more firepower y'know?"

"That's... actually not a bad idea, Imagined." Foundation agrees. "Take Origin with you while you're at it."

The Origin turns to the Foundation and quickly stands up, not liking that proposal.

"Why me? Can't she just take The Visitor with her instead?"

"He's too busy at the moment. I'm sure you two working together until Condo Canyon is freed won't be a problem for you both."

The two of them go to object further, but lie back in their chairs upon realizing nothing's gonna change The Foundation's mind.

"Is there any more news on The Paradigm?" The Imagined asks.

A few heads turn to The Scientist upon Paradigm being mentioned. He reluctantly sighs.

"She has responded to messages, but we're not sure if she's going to show up. Considering how much you guys think she's a traitor."

The meeting continues on for another 5 minutes as the Seven discuss more about the Paradigm and other plans. Midas can't help but notice how much they bicker to each other about the Paradigm and where her alligences lie.

Something tells him that if they don't stop bickering about it, the discourse between them all could lead to their defeat in the war.

-------------

Many hours later...

"And there. That should do it." Jones says, tightening one last bolt and stepping back.

Jules and The Scientist smile, somewhat impressed by Jones.

"Huh. Good job Jonesy. You'd make a decent engineer." Jules laughs, putting her wrench away in her pocket.

The blond smiles.

"Ha. I doubt that. I'm not exactly engineer or fixer upper type." He chuckles. "But I was glad to help out upgrading the battle bus."

"Same here. But I think Scientist can handle it from here, right?"

He nods, giving them a subtle thumbs up.

With that, Jules and Jones leave him to his work and then, after saying goodnight, head off to their respective sleeping quarters.

Jones slips inside his and Midas' shared quarters, stretching his arms and announces his return to Midas.

"Sorry I'm late Midas, I was a little caught up in helping Jules and Scientist."

There's no response, but Jones quickly sees the bathroom light on and assumes that Midas is showering or something. He gives the door a gentle knock, leaning against it.

He wasn't expecting the door to suddenly swing open though, and Jones nearly topples on top of Midas who is wrapped up in a towel. Though thankfully, he barely manages to catch himself.

"Woah, careful Jones." Midas chuckles as he walks through the door frame and past Jones. "You could have just leaned against the wall instead of the door you know."

"I guess I just can't help falling for you Midas, eh?" Jones smirks, making finger guns and winking at him.

Midas' face goes bright red, putting a hand on his cheek while Jones snickers at him.

"You're so easily flustered golden boy." Jones smiles, sliding next to him and wrapping an arm around Midas.

The mastermind remains silent, too flustered and embarrassed to speak. Jones snickers before giving him a peck on the cheek and getting up.

"Anyway, I'mma take a quick shower and freshen up."

As Jones walks into the bathroom Midas goes over to the chest of drawers and takes out some boxers and nightwear and slips them on, while he's at it he fishes out some for Jones and puts it on their bed ready for him.

As he sits back down Midas suddenly notices that Jones never actually closed the bathroom door, meaning he currently had the perfect view of the blond's backside. He was wearing his trousers still, but he could see Jones' muscular back and he just couldn't seem to tear his eyes away.

"Oh jeez. That idiot! Did he do that on purpose just to tease me?!"

Midas does manage to stop himself from staring, his cheeks burning with heat, and grunts slightly as he feels his boxers tighten just like they did earlier that morning.

"Uh, J-Jonesy. You left the door open."

He turns around, a look of innocence on his face.

"Oh, did I? Oops, hehe."

With a chuckle he closes it, Midas flopping down on the bed with a groan.

"The cheek of that man I swear."

------------

A little while later...

Jones finally emerges from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel.

"Ah, much better. Showers really work wonders in freshening you up huh Midas?"

The blond turns to the mastermind, only to find him sitting up cross legged in bed. He seemed bothered by something. Jones grows worried and goes to sit with him while grabbing the nightwear left out for him.

"Uh... Hey, you okay goldie?" He asks, slipping on the boxers and putting the towel aside. "If it's about earlier with me leaving the door open then I'm sorry. I was just mucking around with you, I promise."

Midas looks over at him, eyeing Jones with his golden iris.

"No, I understand that you were just playing around Jones. It's just that..."

He pauses for a second, recollecting his thoughts, while Jones takes him by the shoulders and runs his hands up and down them softly in a soothing manner.

"I think something's wrong with me."

"What do you mean? You seem fine to me."

Midas sighs, gently taking Jones' hands off his shoulders and holding them in his own golden palms.

"I'm not sure why this has started happening, but anytime you compliment me, or are around me or even if I just think about you..." He starts, biting his lip. "I just get a... sudden tightness down below in the region I'd rather not say out loud."

Jones raises an eyebrow, a little confused on what Midas was trying to explain, while slipping on a night vest.

"Uh, you're probably gonna have to be a little more specific."

Midas remains silent, afraid of saying anything else. Jones meanwhile tries to figure out what he was talking about. His eyes scan Midas, looking for a hint of some kind. But then, it clicks in his mind.

"Oh...

...Oh."

The two of them blush simultaneously. Jones chuckles lightly, a hand on his cheek.

"Oh Midas there's no need to be embarrassed about THAT." He tells him.

"You mean to say it's... natural?"

"I guess, if you're in a relationship with someone of course." Jones reassures him. "Perhaps it's just your mind's way of saying you're ready to be a little more... intimate and physical with our relationship."

Midas lies his head on Jones' shoulder, this new information processing through his mind. Meanwhile Jones rubs his back gently as a way to soothe him.

"I'm... not sure if I understand what you mean by that, Jones."

The blond sighs.

"This poor guy. He really has no clue what love is sometimes..."

He puts his hand under Midas' chin, raising his head.

"Well, I can give you an example. With your permission of course." He offers. "Consent is the key ingredient in a situation like this after all."

Midas looks away for a second, thinking about it, before turning back and giving Jones a small nod.

"Should I be worried about this?"

Jones simply snickers lightly.

"Course not. Whenever you want to stop, we will."

"Okay..."

-------

-------

Jones gives him a reassuring smile, brushing his thumb across Midas' cheekbone, before slowly leaning in and locking lips with him. At first Midas thought nothing much of it, since it was the same as the usual kisses they shared.

That is until Jones' tongue slips inside his mouth.

A soft muffled moan slips from Midas as he tightens his grip on him. Jones sighs into the deep embrace, pulling him closer. However, Jones' kneecap brushes against something. Something that causes Midas to separate the kiss briefly and groan.

"You okay Midas?"

He nods as sweat begins to form on his face a little.

Jones takes a peek down at where his knee brushed against, and blushes as he notices the slight bulge in Midas' boxers.

"Oops. Sorry, hehe."

"N-No, it's okay..."

Midas pauses before speaking again.

"Could you...do it again?"

Jones obliges and gently brushes his kneecap against it again. A strained groan manages to slip its way out of Midas, but it was more of a pleasurable one.

When Midas looks back at Jones he was smiling softly and had a dazed look in his eyes, seemingly more into the situation they were in.

Jones is about to speak, but Midas quickly pulls him into a deep open-mouthed kiss. A moan escapes from the blond, his eyes slowly closing as a wave of pleasure washes over him. The two of them shuffle further back on the bed slightly to the point where Midas was pinning him down.

Jones groans slightly as he feels Midas' tongue lurking around in his mouth, sometimes intertwining with his own. He carefully runs a hand through his boyfriend's perfectly parted hair, then curls that hand around the back of Midas' neck. He gets a shaky groan in response, but it sounded like the action was welcomed.

Their lips separate once more, taking the time to catch their breath.

"You okay M?"

He nods.

Jones cups his reddening face with his hands, staring lovingly into Midas' mismatched eyes.

"I must admit. I've never felt that... intense before. If that's the word to describe what we just did." Midas says as he shuffles back to let Jones sit up.

"Well, it can go further than that. I could show that to you too. Only if you want to though." Jones smiles softly.

He gives Midas a kiss on the cheek, a hand resting on his thigh and a finger near the rim of his boxers. However, this time, Midas takes Jones' hand and moves it away.

"Wait, Jones."

He backs away from Midas, listening to what he has to say.

"I think I understand what you mean by 'going further'. And to that, I say, maybe at some point... but not now."

Jones smiles, understanding Midas' request.

"That's absolutely fine Midas. I'm sure there'll come a day when it'll be more... appropriate? I dunno if that's the right word, but you get what I mean."

With that the two of them get under the bedsheets.

"Did you enjoy yourself though goldie?"

"Hmph... Surprisingly, yes."

And after saying goodnight to each other, they turn off the lights and slip into a deep sleep.

-----------

The next morning, Midas slowly awakens to the sun shining through the nearby window and Jones already being gone. He looks across the room to find his clothes from yesterday, all washed and dried, sat waiting for him plus a note.

He stumbles over to the table, rubbing his eyes as he tries to wake up quicker, and reads the note.

"Morning sleepyhead! I tried waking you earlier but you were sleeping like a rock, so I left you alone. I washed and dried your clothes and set them out ready for you.

See you later babe! ❤️

- Jonesy :)

P.S. Astra came by and asked if you could meet her by the beach outside the Sanctuary."

--------------