Is it right for him to enjoy this so much? To have someone do all these for him and say that sort of thing? Does he deserve it?
[break][break]
Maybe Mars is not supposed to be thinking things like these, but the thoughts rise inevitably as he smiles into the kiss. His gaze finds Cian’s, and he smirks.
[break][break]
”I could get used to this.”
[break][break]
Could he though? Does he want to? Would she be happy for him if he did?
[break][break]
All those thoughts are too dangerous and too complicated, and he pushes them aside as he has pushed all of his other questions about his feelings for Cian.
[break][break]
Not here, not now.
[break][break]
His attention turns to his plate instead, carefully cutting into the steak and bringing the fork to his mouth. He savours the bite.
[break][break]
”Cian, this is really good. Now I actually feel bad about those other steaks.” He laughs, but it’s the truth.
[break][break]
After all, Mars has had plenty of great steaks in his life, but never before has he had someone cook one with care because they want to do it for him, and it turns out that can make a world of difference...
[break][break]
It doesn’t matter if the mashed potatoes are cold, or if his salad isn’t great at all. In its own way, it’s all perfect to him.

[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

He knows.
[break][break]
Even if Cian hadn’t said so, Mars knows he wouldn’t do all this for just anyone. In fact, maybe the truth is that he wouldn’t do this for anyone else but him, and although it is selfish, Mars likes the thought of this.
[break][break]
All these things that exist between them, everything that’s unsaid… How long can they keep ignoring them and pretending they’re not there? How long can they dance with their words and avoid saying what they truly mean to say?
[break][break]
Does he really want to say all those things to Cian? Does he deserve to? What if it ruins everything?
[break][break]
All these things and more are what he thinks about as they eat, a light chuckle leaving him at the mention of the gift.
[break][break]
”You’re the one who wanted to wait, now it sounds like you’re even more impatient about it than me,” he teases, but it may just be true, because what gift could possibly be better than everything Cian has already done for him on this evening? Just this is enough, and yet, Mars grins.
[break][break]
If it’s something Cian chose just for him…
[break][break]
”Alright, fine, you got me curious again.”


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

He catches the pokéball, but it comes as a surprise.
[break][break]
”...You got me a pokémon?”
[break][break]
It does make sense though.
[break][break]
After all, a pokémon is perhaps one of the only things Cian could get for him that Mars can’t easily buy for himself (although his recent auction history may tell a completely different story), especially if he had gone through the effort of catching something for him. But, what pokémon does Mars like that he doesn’t already own? What does Cian think he would want?
[break][break]
If he was curious before, now he’s even more so, and he laughs at the warning.
[break][break]
”Okay, let’s go to the balcony, then.”
[break][break]
He stands, and he takes Cian’s hand, giving a gentle squeeze as they walk towards sliding doors. The balcony is spacious indeed, and Mauville’s evening breeze is as welcome as it is refreshing. But, of course, Mars doesn’t even give himself a second to enjoy it before pressing the release button on the pokéball...
[break][break]
”...Cian...”
[break][break]
This has to be a joke, right?


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

Zeraora.
[break][break]
Mars had considered getting one back during the tournament, but he had set the thought aside in favour of more profitable opportunities. Is this really part of the reason why Cian had participated though? He had been so busy and fought so many battles, and Mars remembers all too well how annoyed he had been at his losses…
[break][break]
’I have feelings for you, Mars.’
[break][break]
The words that he had taken as a joke during their own little challenge ring in his mind while he looks at the pokémon, once again gently squeezing Cian’s hand.
[break][break]
All of this, just for him...
[break][break]
For his birthday...
[break][break]
When was the last time someone had put so much effort just because they wanted to do something nice for him?
[break][break]
”Cian.” Mars turns to look at him, and without saying anything else, kisses him.
[break][break]
The Zeraora’s confusion will remain for a little longer, it seems.



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

It’s for a moment that they kiss, but as it usually seems to be the case, that moment feels way too short once they part.
[break][break]
Still, Mars smiles, his gaze fixed on Cian’s.
[break][break]
There’s so much he wants to say, but what even is the right thing to say?
[break][break]
”Thank you.”
[break][break]
For what?
[break][break]
For all that has happened on this day, perhaps. For being here when Mars needed him this morning, for understanding, for doing so much for him, for planning such a nice surprise, for cooking for him, for the pokémon, for the kisses, for making this birthday the best one he's had in a while… For caring for him in a way that no one else does.
[break][break]
For being himself.
[break][break]
For everything.
[break][break]
”I should tell you I–…” Whatever he’s about to say, he’s interrupted, since the Zeraora seems to have grown comfortable while being ignored, and there’s the familiar yet ever dreaded sound of claws being sharpened on a cushion. Oh no, not his nice outdoors sofa…
[break][break]
Cats will always be cats.



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

For a second there, Mars considers killing the damn cat.
[break][break]
But, it just so happens to be a very expensive, very cute, and very powerful cat, and it wouldn’t be nice to do that to a gift Cian had put so much effort into getting for him, would it?
[break][break]
He refrains from acting, and instead his gaze easily returns to Cian after the interruption, a hand gently being placed over the one on his cheek. ”Mmm… Sure, but let’s put a pin on that.” He smiles, leaning in for a quick kiss.
[break][break]
There’s a lot Mars wants to say, and while he’s sure he probably won’t say everything (because that would be fucking overwhelming and potentially catastrophic), Cian does deserve at least a little more honesty...
[break][break]
Yet, it seems as if that won’t happen right at this moment.
[break][break]
After the kiss, he pulls away, walking over to the Zeraora.
[break][break]
”Hey.” At least being addressed makes the pokémon stop the savage destruction of what had once been a perfectly nice cushion. It looks at Mars with alert blue eyes, whiskers twitching, and the man smirks in return. ”Hah… Guess cat pokémon really are all the same. That’s cute.”

[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

Mars has never been a very patient person either, and he knows he may only be causing Cian to worry by making him wait.
[break][break]
But, is he really ready to say everything he intends to say right at this very moment?
[break][break]
What does he even intend to say?
[break][break]
It could all go so horribly wrong…
[break][break]
There’s one too many thoughts that cross his mind, and all of them come with painful memories of the ways things have gone wrong in the past – of how much pain he has caused and of how much he has lost.
[break][break]
He doesn’t want to lose Cian.
[break][break]
Looking at the Zeraora reminds him of that, as it also reminds him of everything Cian has done for him and how much he cares for him.
[break][break]
”Yeah? Are you going to be a handful?” He both responds to the comment and addresses the pokémon, chuckling lightly before gently closing a hand into a fist and raising it to rest between himself and Zeraora. It’s the kind of typical gesture anyone would do when greeting a pokémon to let it see they’re not a threat, but the electric type flicks its ears and tilts its head slightly in clear confusion, responding to it by softly meeting it with its own clenched paw. A fist bump.
[break][break]
Mars can’t help but laugh. ”Okay, I think I like this one.”
[break][break]
Maybe, just maybe, no matter what he says, things will be okay.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER