It’s no surprise that there is Charja-Cola in the fridge, although Mars wonders why, since he himself barely even drinks things like those. But, he’s never the only person in the yacht, and it’s good to have a well stocked fridge, especially for situations like these.
[break][break]
”As long as you’re sure.”
[break][break]
All he does with the cutting board is thinly and carefully slice a few cloves of garlic, so he can’t help but chuckle at Cian’s remark. Then again, not like Mars could blame him, because after his experience with making salad, the bare minimum is probably expected.
[break][break]
”Aw, it almost sounds like you’re impressed.”
[break][break]
A smirk, and once the water is boiling, he steps away from the cutting board to add salt and the dry spaghetti to the pot.

[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

the bare minimum is definitely expected after the salad fiasco.

"mmm, not there yet. you're gonna have to try a little harder, boo."

he sips again, not really minding the burn in his throat from the soda. it's refreshing and it helps wake him up just a little.

"but you know to add salt to the water, so that's good."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

”Ouch. My poor heart.”
[break][break]
Mars chuckles, obviously joking, even though the truth is that they both know he has his pride, and that he does want to impress Cian. The dish is simple for a reason, and that reason is not that he’s not willing to try. He’s probably trying much harder than what he should, honestly.
[break][break]
”Wow, bare minimum, huh? Of course I know to add salt to pasta… I ate it a lot as a kid.”
[break][break]
A passing comment and nothing more, but there are vague memories attached to it; his dad making pasta, helping with small things in the kitchen…
[break][break]
It’s all blurred, but it’s there, and maybe that’s why all this somehow feels kind of nostalgic.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

again, bare minimum, for justified reasons...

the can of charja-cola clinks against the counter as he sets it back down, listening to mars as he speaks.

somehow, despite his slow state of mind, he knows there's something more to his words than what's there.

and so he pries.

"yeah? what other things did you used to eat when you were a kid?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Olive oil is poured into a cold skillet, the garlic being added to it. Slowly, over medium heat, he lets it cook while carefully stirring, the delightful scent of toasted garlic rising in the kitchen.
[break][break]
While still looking at the skillet, he thinks about Cian’s question, the answer coming after some silent seconds.
[break][break]
”I don’t really remember much of it… I do remember making pizza, though. My dad used to make it from scratch, toss the dough in the air and all... We did eat seafood, since we were in a coastal town, but I honestly used to hate seafood as a kid. I remember crying about it.”
[break][break]
There’s a soft chuckle, because the reasons for it are kind of ridiculous and because some of his favourite dishes now classify as seafood.
[break][break]
And, even though the memories are kind of sad thanks to everything they come associated with, there is a genuine smile when he turns to look at Cian.



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

"that sounds nice. the pizza, i mean, not so much the crying."

cian can't say he's ever cried over having to eat food before. oh wait, he used to really hate broccoli, but did he ever cry about it?

probably.

his smile as just as genuine as he watches mars cook.

"we can make pizza together soon."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

”Ha. I was like four or five… I was crying about it because I really liked fish and didn’t want to eat them. No clue how my dad convinced me it was okay.”
[break][break]
These words come with a laugh, then grinning at him, because it definitely sounds exactly like the sort of thing Mars would do as a kid. Back then, his dad used to take him to the aquarium all the time, so it should come as no surprise that the thought of eating fish really scared him.
[break][break]
Has he ever talked about these things with anyone before?
[break][break]
Usually, it’s all too painful and too clouded by the thought of that last day at Ambrette Town, but when talking to Cian, the happier memories seem to come with so much more ease than what they do most of the time…
[break][break]
”Yeah? Sure, that’d be fun.”
[break][break]
It would be, and he smiles as he returns his attention to cooking.

[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

making pizza in itself can be pretty fun, but the thought of making it with mars just makes it so much better. and even though it's nothing more than just a plan that might or might not come to fruition, he's already looking forward to it.

"it'll be fun."

just leave it to both of them to make sure of it.

while mars finishes off cooking, cian decides it best to slump over on the counter, resting his head gently against his arm.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

It will be fun, and Mars finds himself looking forward to it too, because even if cooking has never been something he particularly cares for, it’s always enjoyable when he’s with Cian – just like most things are.
[break][break]
”You better not fall asleep on me, food’s almost ready.”
[break][break][break]
There’s a chuckle, but his words are true: it’s only a few more minutes until the spaghetti is being drained, the garlic and olive oil also being removed from the heat once the former reach a nice golden colour. The spaghetti is then added to the reduction, stirring in nothing more than some salt and black pepper. Once it’s all plated, the servings are topped off with thinly chopped Alto Marean parsley, Mars then turning to look at Cian.
[break][break]
”Wanna eat outside? I’d recommend adding some parmigiano-reggiano, but I’ll leave the choice up to you.”
[break][break]
A wink, and a smirk.
[break][break]
Honestly, all this cooking only made him even hungrier.

[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

fall asleep? cian? surely not...

well, maybe just for a little bit, because it's only when mars speaks up again that he stirs back awake. he blinks, peering up at mars to see his familiar smirk.

"outside it is."

he yawns, standing back up before gesturing.

"come on, babe."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Adorable.
[break][break]
It does make him feel somewhat guilty, because Cian definitely could use a nap. But, he was also the one who insisted on staying up, and it would really be a shame not to eat all this food while it’s warm, especially after he put all that effort (and Mars really did put effort).
[break][break]
”We can go take a nap when we’re done eating.”
[break][break]
It’s probably not the best idea, but it’s what will likely happen, and knowing this, Mars just smiles, gently kissing Cian’s cheek when passing by his side.
[break][break]
”Bring the drinks.”
[break][break]
Carrying their plates and a couple of forks and spoons, he heads out onto the deck, setting all of these down on the table. They almost missed the sunset.

[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

a nap after dark is just called sleeping, but of course, cian's too tired to mention this. he simply hums, nodding as he leans into the kiss.

"oh right."

he walks back over to the fridge to grab a bottle of wine for mars and another can of soda for himself, along with two glasses before heading out onto the deck.

the setting sun is the first thing he notices.

"shit. we almost missed it."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Is it always just sleeping? Not to Mars, at least, since his sleep is never uninterrupted and definitely doesn’t last the whole night. There’s no point in considering all that though, because soon he’s stepping outside and being greeted with the sight of the setting sun.
[break][break]
”Almost. Aren’t you glad you didn’t fall asleep?”
[break][break]
It’s a nice sight: the sky has been painted in all manners of warm tones that are also reflected onto the calm seas. As Mars sees it, there’s nothing like watching a sunset like this, and even if tired, he’s glad they can share it.
[break][break]
”Come on, let’s eat before it gets cold.”
[break][break]
And so, he goes to take a seat.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER