We’ll get there.
@mootouman asked for this for their giveaway price! I’m SO sorry about all this wait, and I truly hope this is worth it!
***
Calm down. It’s just a birthday. You’re doing this for him. Look at him, so happy. It’s worth it. For him.
Fugo tried to calm his nerves, past birthdays hadn’t gone that well for him. He knew he was making his boyfriend happy, he really wanted to celebrate having Fugo around for another year. But deep in the darkness of his mind, insecurities were still lurking around. Fugo knew his boyfriend loved him, but what if he lost his temper and hurt him? Or yelled something to the waiter? Or ruin the night somehow?
All of this ran through Fugo’s mind while sitting on the couch with an arm around his partner, hand in hand, his thumb tracing circles on his skin, watching a movie he liked. It was a pleasant surprise that he remembered he liked it, he had only said it once and didn’t really give it much thought.
“Fugo, love, you’re spacing out. What are you worrying about now?” Busted.
“What? I’m not worrying. Why would you say that?”
“You have the same expression you make when something doesn’t go well with you. Not the anger one, the worry one.” He knows him so well. There was no way he could ever hide what he felt.
“I’m just worried I’ll blow it. You know me.”
“I do know you. And I know you would never ruin something like this. But if you’re still worried, maybe I can do something about it.” With that, Fugo’s lips found themselves trapped by his boyfriend’s.
Rhythmically, their mouths nibbled and sucked on each other’s lips, soon enough giving space to their tongues to have some protagonism. They danced to the nonexistent music as sweet and as loving as their owners felt for each other. Their hands moved through their bodies in a show of care, caressing the other’s skin softly. Tender fingers toyed with his hair, massaging his scalp, relieving him from all the stress he had been accumulating throughout the day. From the cheek to the back of his neck, Fugo felt his partner’s hand move, featherlight, feeling like that touch was all that was keeping him grounded.
Were it not for his boyfriend, Fugo would have lost it long ago. He owed his sanity, and everything he accomplished thanks to finally being able to keep his cool, to him. There was something about feeling loved and knowing he would never leave that made him want to be a better person. And the support he got from him kept him motivated.
Bringing him back to the present, he felt a hand inside one of the holes on his jacket, touching his chest. Now encouraged, he tilted both his and his boyfriend’s bodies and pressed him onto the couch. Now the real fun could begin.
But before anything could really happen, he noticed the time.
“Fugo! We’re going to lose our reservation!” While trying and failing to push Fugo up, he exclaimed. This was a really important dinner, there was no way they could miss it. But Fugo did not know that.
“Is it really that important? I can cook something here and we can just hang out. And we can continue this. I’m really favoring that plan.”
“I would love to, you know that. But I really want you to try this place out! It’s important to me. Please?” Fugo could see the urgency in his boyfriend’s eyes. He wondered what was so important about that place they couldn't miss their reservations. It wasn’t like they’d never done something like that before. But being able to tell the other would be really disappointed if they did, he yielded.
“Okay.” He sighed while getting up. He started walking towards his room but stopped midway and tilted his head halfway towards his boyfriend. “But we will continue this later.” With a little crooked smile that, he knew, was irresistible.
---
The restaurant came on to a really good start. The outside facade was simple and inviting, yet still elegant. It seemed to be a really nice, but still cozy and homely, inhabited house. He thanked his partner for really knowing what he liked. The insides were even better. Dimmed lights and brown and cream color schemes for the tableware, a small light on each of the tables, and a cheerful, yet toned down, atmosphere. There was background music, but it was easy to listen to the other person’s voice. The place was perfect for the occasion.
They were brought to a table a little more secluded than the rest. On the back of the restaurant, where there wasn’t a lot of people. Fugo thought he probably called in advance, he was so lucky to be with someone who would do so much for him. Someone who truly understood him and his needs, including his aversion of secluded places.
“The menu has already been worked out with your partner, sir.” The waiter informed Fugo, to which Fugo nodded and thanked the man.
“I hope you like what I have prepared for you, my love. I have given this a lot of thought and the whole night is scheduled. I know you appreciate organization.”
“If you did this, I already know I’ll love it. Thank you for everything, you’re absolutely the best.”
“I just love you so much I couldn’t contain myself. I want you to have the best birthday ever, knowing your lifestyle is a bit uncertain and there might be no more.”
Fugo really appreciated the fact that his boyfriend was always honest and wouldn’t bother himself with censoring what he said. He knew is lifestyle took a toll on everyone around him, not only himself, so whenever it was brought up, he got a little sad, not that he would ever let it show. But he also knew his partner would do anything for him, and he asked for nothing in return for being so patient and understanding of the situation. He would have to make a mental note to do something nice for him soon.
“You’re right. Thank you so much, I could never make what I’m feeling right now justice with words.”
“Then I guess you’ll have to thank me later, love. I’m already looking forward to it.” A smirk forming in his face told Fugo exactly what he had in mind. And he liked it.
“Well, if you put it like that, I’ll be looking forward to it all night too.”
Just as he was about to reply, the waiter arrived with their food, catching the words forming in his throat. Various dishes perfectly presented with well combined coors, the smells invading their noses and captivating them instantly, and the wine being served, all mixed like an attack on the senses they would never want to stop. Allowing Fugo to have the first bite, his lover watched him as if he was the most interesting thing in this world, expecting a full review as soon as possible. Still, he was awfully nervous to just be expecting his opinion. Fugo could tell something was on his mind, and he wanted to know what it was. However, he decided to wait until after the meal was done, not wanting to ruin whatever he had planned.
“Honey, this is amazing. How did you know exactly what I wanted for my birthday? I’m sure I only mentioned it to… You had help, didn’t you?” Hs words sounded harsh but the expression on his face said he wasn’t mad about it.
“I did, I shouldn’t take all the credit. Narancia mentioned you were craving seafood all week and I couldn’t resist. He doesn’t know I used it though, he was just mentioning it.”
“Of course he wouldn’t think it strange if you asked questions about me. What am I going to do with him?” The laughs filled the place, creating an environment of happiness for only the two of them to enjoy. Whatever was bothering the planner didn’t seem to cloud his mind anymore.
The night went on as a completely usual and happy one. Just as any other night together, Fugo thought. Their personalities seemed to blend perfectly, every second spent together was the best he ever spent. Whenever their fingers touched, electricity ran through both of them. Their lips fit in the other’s ones like pieces of a puzzle. Waking up next to the other was a blessing from heavens they would never dream of giving up. Looking into each other’s eyes, they found the answers to anything they could ask or want in life. Why they were so good together, they’ll never know.
They made each other happy, no explanations needed.
And so, after dinner was done, and they were enjoying two glasses of their favorite champagne, Fugo watched the man in front of him get serious and talk.
“You know, Panni, there’s been something I wanted to tell you for some time now.” Pannacotta felt his palms sweat like someone threw a bucket of water at them. His forehead would soon follow. His heart figured that was the best time to stop beating, and his mind started getting clouded by unhealthy thoughts of failure and disgust to himself. All of those things happening in a matter of seconds, and yet stopping immediately as he felt his hands be enclosed by his love. “We’ve been together for a few years now, and yet it seems like I just met you yesterday. everytime I look at your face, I know this is the face I want to see every day for the rest of my days, as long as the world allows me to. You have made so much progress, and I’m so proud of you, my love. You are absolutely the love of my life, no doubt in my mind. I was made to love you forever, and I hope you can love me back. I want to continue watching you grow and become a better person, little by little, for the rest of my life. You have made me incredibly happy and I hope to someday be able to retribute it to you, and I will never stop trying. With every kiss, every time we hold hands, every time I miss you when you’re gone, every fight, every reconciliation, all of that will be part of our journey together. I look into your eyes and I see love. and I don’t ever want to lose that, so…”
Fugo’s mind began racing uncontrollably, but he would have never expected what his boyfriend did next. He watched in awe as the man before him got up from his chair, walked besides him, and planted a knee on the ground. Tension building up, impossible to be contained, for the minute it took him to stir into his pocket and finally let out a small, gorgeous, black box and present it to him. Tears already building in his eyes when he, slowly like he was scared, opened it up to reveal a ring. A delicate silver ring with the tiniest details in gold taking the form of a rope that went around the band of the ring, wrapping it but still letting the silver band be seen. No diamond could be seen on it, and Fugo couldn’t help but think, once more, how lucky he was to have found someone who truly got him so well, and knew he could never wear a diamond ring given his job description.
He wanted to reply but the words wouldn’t come out. The tears replaced them in order to show sentiment, and a fervent nodding took place between them. they joined in a tight hug, crying of happiness for the first time in their lives, and the ring was finally placed in Fugo’s hand after what seemed like an eternity. Small kisses, so light they almost couldn’t be felt, were pressed against each other’s lips in signal of everything they were feeling.
The night really was perfect, no doubt about that.
---
“Fugo, can I see it again?” And excited Mista practically shouted in his friend’s ear. But he didn’t mind at all. He was just as excited. Everyone had congratulated him and his fianceé earlier that day and enthuthiasm and happiness invaded the place.
“Okay, but for the last time. I need to get work done, Mista.”
“It’s so pretty! I’m so happy for you.”
“I’m happy too, more than words could ever tell.”
And now, whenever he looked at his hand, Fugo saw a reason to continue getting better, along with a small engraved message that read
“Your love intoxicates me.”
