#alright4now

Geoff checked his watch again.

11:47

The plane was supposed to land any minute.

His breathing sped up.

What if the plane was delayed or had some sort of problem and crashed in a fiery freak accident?!

Or what if Gavin decided he preferred it in England and purposefully missed his flight?!

More stupid questions flew through his head. Geoff knew all of them were ridiculous, but it didn’t stop the anxiety creeping up his spine.

What if I got the wrong day or time?

He checked his phone again to reassure himself. His stomach was getting upset even though he hadn't eaten anything yet that day.

He paced back and forth trying to take his mind off it. He soon got tired though, having woken himself up early with worry. He slumped into a nearby chair.

Geoff couldn’t stay still for long, however, and his leg bounced up and down unconsciously.

11:52

The plane had landed, but it’d be a while before they deplaned and got out of security. Geoff’s face felt tingly, and he could feel a cold sweat coming on.

He wanted to run to the bathroom, but the fear of not being there to see Gavin come down the escalators changed his mind. He returned to watching the clock, counting down as the seconds went by.

I could have gone and come back by now.

This thought circled his head over and over as the time kept passing.

Geoff looked up as people started trickling out and down the escalator and stairs.

He sprang up and moved so he could see as soon as Gavin started his descent.

No matter how tense Geoff was before, it was nothing compared to how he felt now. His body was failing him, but he just needed to last a few moments longer.

The relief was instant, however, when Gavin’s shoes came into view. Of course Geoff recognized him by his shoes, you can’t live with someone that long and not have every piece of their wardrobe memorized.

Hell, Geoff even knew the sound of Gavin’s footsteps coming up behind him and could tell when he sneezed from across the building.

Time seemed to slow down even further than when he first saw Gavin, but it sped up suddenly when Gavin came tumbling into him for a long-awaited hug.

Geoff buried his face into Gavin’s shoulder to hide the tears that had begun prickling his eyes.

“I’m so fucking glad you’re home.”

*******

“Hey, I’m home,” Gavin yelled into the house.

Huh… It didn’t look like anyone was home.

Gavin sighed and dropped his head down to his chest before shuffling to the couch. He plopped down and turned on his XBox.

Of course they’d be gone. Off on another date night, he supposed. They had texted each other all day, probably making plans for this. He couldn't blame them though. They’re married and have every right to go on dates together. But it still hurt for some reason. Maybe they were getting tired of him.

Gavin shook his head to get rid of that ridiculous thought and sunk farther into his seat.

He had been living with them for years, though. But on Gavin’s end, both Geoff and Griffon felt like his family, and when they did all go out with each other, Gavin never felt like the third wheel. Well… Except for lately.

Now it seemed like he was always getting in the way. He just couldn’t see any reason why they wouldn’t want him around. It’s not like they were gonna bang right in the middle of playing Mini Golf! ...right?

Anyway, Gavin thought the three of them were like 3 peas in a pod. A very weird but lovely pod.

Egg padded up to him, leapt onto his lap and demanded attention. Gavin paused the level of Peggle he was replaying to pet her.

It was at this moment that the front door opened, and in came the Ramseys.

Greetings were said to Gavin, which he did not share back. This caused them both to pause in their movement farther into the house.

“Uh... What’s up, lad?” Geoff asked finally seeing the gloomy expression on his face.

“Nothing,” he shrugged turning back around to the television and cat.

“Gavin. Don’t be like that. Tell us what’s wrong.” Griffon moved to sit down next to him. She put a hand on his knee and glared at her husband to sit down too. Geoff, who had previously wanted to ignore whatever Gavin’s problem was, had been walking towards the kitchen but sighed and sat on the opposite side of him.

“Everything’s fine, really. You guys can leave me and go do whatever you want..” Gavin shifted his knee away from Griffon and shrank back into the crack of the cushions to try not to touch either of them.

“We’re not going to do that ‘til you grow a pair and confess whatever’s bothering you.”

“IknowyouguyshatemebutIreallyjustwantthingstogobacktonormalsocouldyoupleasejust--” Geoff put his hand over Gavin’s mouth to stop the sudden geiser of words pouring out of him.

“I only heard the first couple of words but that’s enough. Now, I don’t wanna hear a fucking peep out of you until we’re done.” He removed his hand slowly while glaring at him, daring him to make even one little sound. Gavin played it smart, however, and just blinked owlishly instead.

“You know we love you, honey. Ever since you stole my number and started talking to me, I knew we’d be friends forever. I mean, yeah, this guy,” she tilted her head towards Geoff. “can be an asshole sometimes-”

“Hey!”

“But we could never hate you.”

“I- ah- you...” he sighed. “Ditto, I guess.”

Gavin looked at Geoff and raised his eyebrows.

“Yeah that’s pretty much it. So you’re free to speak and shit.”

Gavin frowned before speaking, “You guys have just been going out together without me more often than usual and so I just kinda assumed you wanted me to move out or at least stop bothering you so much.” He shrugged and looked away.

“Oh, honey. You should have said something earlier! I know we haven’t been as close lately but I really wish you’d have told me that’s how you felt,” Griffon kissed his forehead.

“Yeah the only reason we’ve been going out is because you’ve been staying at the office so late!”

“What?! I’ve had to stay that late because you keep leaving without me! Today, I had to bum a ride from Michael, well technically Lindsay, but whatever. You know Dylon’s over and they had plans? He said I owe him for that one, Geoffers.”

“Sorry buddy... I guess we’ll just have to talk more clearly about that every night then.” Geoff tried to calm him down again.

Gavin decided that was enough and by the tired look on the Ramsey’s faces they were just as exhausted as he was.

The three of them promised that they’d go out together tomorrow and would continue making plans in the future; Gavin and Geoff also promised that they’d verbally ask each other the ride situation before leaving the building.

All Gavin’s worries solved just like that, and to think he’d been ready to move out!

With his favorite lady curled up with her head in his lap, he snuggled down into Geoff’s shoulder and breathed a sigh of content. The warmth and happiness of being with his family like this won out over the knowledge morning soreness, and he soon fell asleep.

'Good morning Michael, happy Valentine's day! I know you told me not to do anything, but I got too excited and couldn't stop myself. Take your time waking up and getting ready, and once you're ready to start the day, look for the next note in the kitchen.'

Michael stared at the note stuck to his alarm clock, eyes squinted almost shut as he tried to make out the words without his glasses. Fumbling around with one hand, he grabbed his glasses, slipping them on and then snatching the note up, groaning loudly as he read it properly.

"Are you fucking serious, Gavin? Ugh. I'm not looking forward to this shit."

He was more so grumbling to himself, slowly forcing himself out of bed and into the bathroom. He went through his normal solo morning routine, deciding to shower before anything else because he could already tell that Gavin wasn't going be finished with just whatever was in the kitchen. That's not how he worked.

In the kitchen was a rather large plain box, a red bow on top but otherwise bare. Michael opened it, pawing through red tissue paper and finding Gavin's note, along with a light blue beanie. It would match perfectly with the jacket Gavin had gotten him for Christmas, he realized, and couldn't help wondering if the Brit had been planning this for that long. Tugging the beanie over his still damp curls, he grabbed the note and opened it.

'Hope it fits well! Make sure you dry your hair before you wear it, you silly sausage, you'll catch a cold with wet hair.'

Michael paused from reading to pull it off his head, eyes scanning the room to make sure he wasn't being watched. Gavin knew him far too well.

'You'll find your next clue out of the apartment, at the place where we had coffee together the morning after we moved into our apartment.'

"Fuck this is a legit scavenger hunt, isn't it. This asshole is gonna make me go all around town when we asked for today off to spend it together."

Despite his whining, Michael still felt a twinge of excitement from it, he was never one to turn down a little adventure. Heading back to the bathroom, he finished drying up and got fully dressed, grabbing the beanie again along with the matching jacket before heading outside. He knew perfectly what place Gavin was hinting at, and luckily it was just down the street. A tiny no-name coffee shop which they both frequented, liking both the drinks and the staff better than any other place around.

As he went in, he saw nothing out of the ordinary that could be from Gavin, despite plenty of searching. He even checked the bathroom before deciding that maybe the man had given it to the barista to hold on to, just to be safe. Michael got in line, a bit of embarrassment making him flush as he tried to explain to the young lady in front of him.

"Did a dumb-looking British dude tell you to hold something for a guy named Michael?"

Her eyes lit up, a knowing smile spreading over her face.

"You're Michael?"

"That I am."

"Alright, just step over to the pick up station and I'll get it ready for you."

Get it ready? Michael was confused, but he did as he was told, heading over to where the barista would hand off drinks to those who ordered it. A couple minutes passed before she came over with a coffee and a small snack bag, handing them to Michael.

"Here you go, it's already paid for. Happy Valentine's Day!"

The man flushed a little more, mumbling his response before heading out of the shop. He waited until he was out of sight before trying the drink. A mocaccino, his favorite, maybe even sweeter than usual. Next was the bag. Inside was a cinnamon bun, and carefully taped to the opening of the bag, a note. Michael pulled it off, slipping the bag between his arm as he opened it and read it. 

'Hope you enjoy breakfast on me, those are your favorites still, right? Take time to enjoy them, and when you've finished your next stop is where we first met. The exact room I mean, too.'

Where they first met... Michael slowly muddled through his thoughts as he ate and drank, leaning against the side of the coffee shop and watching people pass by. Wasn't it at Roosterteeth? Was he seriously telling him to go to work when they'd both requested it off? It wasn't like they'd called out sick or anything, but the last thing he wanted was to see his coworkers and get teased about them being lovey dovey. Despite this, it didn't stop him from slowly heading in the direction of work, but he grumbled all the way.

Getting in was easy enough, but just as he expected, as soon as he opened the door to the Achievement Hunter office, all three of their usual officemates turning and leering at him as he came into view.

"Oh look who showed up, Lover Boy 2."

Michael sighed in annoyance as the other guys cracked up at Geoff's greeting.

"So I guess Gavin's been here."

"Left you a present right at your desk, dude. Might I also say he was way too excited for someone coming in so early in the morning, like seriously."

Ray pointed at the small box next to Michael's keyboard, the curly-haired man walking in and picking it up. There was no note attached, which meant he had to open it there. Reluctantly, he did, revealing what was inside. A small note was taped to the inner top of the box, and inside was a small square keychain made of perler beads, designed to look like his minecraft skin, Banjo. Before he could grab the note, Ray had already, grinning as he read it.

"'You said your keys were looking pretty bare, before. Now they're looking bear. Get it? Get it?' I thought you're dating Gavin, not Barbara, Michael jesus christ."

Michael snatched the note away, leaving with his gift as the others giggled like the immature men they were. He waited until he was outside to continue reading.

'That was dumb, I know. Anyways, your hunt is almost over, your final note is waiting for you where we first made love.'

Made love, lord since when did Gavin talk like that. This one confused Michael a bit, staring hard as he re-read it. When they first had sex it was at his old apartment, and he doubted Gavin would be able to get in there to hide a note. But then again, technically, they were on Michael's bed at the time, which is something they brought over to the new apartment. The last spot was clear to him now, hurrying back home to finish his hunt. 

Heading inside, he kicked off his shoes and set his things down, heading for the bedroom slowly. As he opened the door he was greeted to the sight of Gavin lounging comfortably on the bed, the man as naked as the day he was born, apart from a large red bow tied around his neck. He grinned widely, as Michael shut the door and started to strip instantly.

"Did you like your presents, Michael?"

He asked, making the other man chuckle in return.