despite sharing a birthday, cian's always enjoyed his. he makes sure to celebrate it every year if only because of all the attention and gifts he receives. this year, however, the celebration is a little different, but he's just as excited as ever.

so excited that he could barely fall asleep the night prior. it's why, when knocks eventually sound from his apartment door, it only takes him a few seconds to head over, already dressed and prepared.

the door opens.

"good morning, babe."

Martín del Mar

☉

There had once been a time when Mars adored his own birthday, but all that is long gone. It’s a day he learned to dislike, one lacking in any form of celebration. Until this year, that is. This year had been memorable; it had been fun, and nice, and the most amazing birthday he’s had in a long time – and it had all been thanks to Cian.
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Even if not thinking of returning the favour, of course he’d want Cian to have a birthday just as amazing as that.
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Even better, perhaps.
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”Mornin’, babe. Happy birthday.”
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With a smile, the small bouquet is smoothly pulled from behind his back and offered to Cian the moment the door opens. At least he doesn’t look all that sleepy, which is a good sign.
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”Did you have breakfast yet?”


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

happy birthday.

it's funny how two words could elicit such emotions from him. he practically beams in response, peering down at the small bouquet before reaching out for it.

"oh, is it my birthday? i completely forgot."

no he didn't.

he shakes his head.

"nah. i was waiting for you."

Martín del Mar

☉

”No, you didn’t.”
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Mars chuckles, because there’s no way Cian could have forgotten. Not when he already texted him about it earlier because he didn’t want to wait until morning to congratulate him.
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The flowers are given to him, and when hearing his response, Mars smirks despite the short pause that comes with it...
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'I was waiting for you.'
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You.
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Lately it sounds so amazing when Cian says it...
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”Great. Do you wanna eat out, or do you want the rare chance of having your amazing and perfect boyfriend make you breakfast?”
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As if he doesn’t know the answer already.
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Breakfast, unlike actual cooking, is something Mars doesn’t mind making, even if he doesn't make it often.



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+ CIAN MAHER

"wow, that's a touch choice. hm..."

like usual, he drags it out for a little too long, shrugging a shoulder by the end of it.

no matter how nonchalant he may sound, he's genuinely excited. and so he takes a step back, leaving the door wide open as he walks over to the kitchen.

"i guess you could make me breakfast. come in, chef."

Martín del Mar

☉

To no one’s surprise, Cian drags things out, delaying his answer in the same way he so often does. And perhaps this is why Mars does no more than stand at the door frame and look at him, that same smirk still tugging at his lips.
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So, he waits. Patient for the sale of Cian’s amusement. A patience that probably wouldn’t be there if someone else were purposely delaying an answer to a simple question – things like these usually annoy him.
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The response ends up making it all worth it, though.
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‘I guess you could make me breakfast.’
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While Cian steps away from the door and heads for the kitchen, Mars takes a second to follow, that simple yet wonderful word lingering in his mind even after it’s pronounced.
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You.
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It’s almost like hearing his own name, sometimes even better.
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It makes him smile, and this too lingers while looking through the fridge for ingredients.
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”How does French toast sound?”


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+ CIAN MAHER

the fridge is stocked with a variety of ingredients, so what mars suggests is definitely doable. all that's left is for cian to agree, which he easily does.

"amazing, if it's made by you."

he approaches to give mars a quick kiss on the cheek before circling back around the counter to sit.

much like on the yacht, he props his chin on his palm, and simply watches.

"so, what's the plan today?"]

Martín del Mar

☉

'Amazing, if it's made by you.'
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Damn, it really is distracting, huh?
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But, not like Mars minds. Not when hearing it makes him so happy every single time – especially when accompanied by a kiss like that one. It’s quick, and it’s simple, and in it it’s perfect just as it is.
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”Your flowers are going to dry out if you don’t put them in water, babe.”
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The word doesn’t sound as nice when he says it to someone else, and it’s easier to dismiss when focusing on bringing out a few ingredients. Then, Mars looks at Cian, a smirk tugging at his lips just as he meets his gaze.
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”That depends on you, I took the whole day off to spend it with you... We can stay here, we can go somewhere, we can even go on a little vacation since we still haven’t done that – I think Alola might be too far to make it there before sundown though.”
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He chuckles, and with those words, he starts preparing their breakfast.



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+ CIAN MAHER

cian's gaze drifts down to the flowers in his hands.

"...oh."

honestly, he's never gotten flowers before, at least not ones he's kept himself. whether it be at races or graduation, he's always handed it to either caden maher or their mom. so he has no idea what to do with them.

thankfully, he has mars.

so he gets up to go find a vase or something to put the flowers in.

"what's a good little vacation spot here?"

Martín del Mar

☉

Mars has always liked flowers, to the point that even at Mauville he made sure to have a small garden. These, however, come from the famous little flower shop near Rustboro, because it’s nearby and because that meant less of a risk of the bouquet being damaged on the way to see Cian.
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As expected, the camellias remain untouched.
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”Hmm… Lilycove, if you feel like going to the beach? Although… The company has a private jet I rarely use and it’d only be a couple of hours if we wanted to go to somewhere in Johto or so. Ever been to Alto Mare?”
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The choice of what they do is up to Cian, of course, since it’s his birthday and they should do what he wants, but that doesn’t mean Mars didn’t plan for multiple possible options.
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He simply smiles, moving on to preparing the egg mixture for their French toast.

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+ CIAN MAHER

of all the places he's traveled to for races and holidays in the past, alto mare has not been one of them, but he's only heard good things about it, and honestly, a trip outside of hoenn sounds too fun to pass up.

the thought has him smiling.

"never been, so let's go."

his eyes drift down to mars' hands, watching how they work at the egg mixture.

"look at you making french toast. so hot."

Martín del Mar

☉

A memorable birthday. Honestly, there’s probably no need for him to go out of his way to do something amazing, since it would still be fun if they simply spent time together. Coming here, bringing him flowers, making him breakfast – all these things would probably be enough. But, Mars finds himself wanting to go out of his way for Cian, because there’s nothing quite like seeing him smile like that…
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It makes him happy too.
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If only for a moment, while together, it makes him forget about all the troubles in his life.
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”Oh, you’ll love it. Let me text them so they have the jet ready, then.”
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He doesn’t bother with specifying who “them” is, but he reaches for his phone while still working on their breakfast, a quick text being sent. Then, with a short laugh, an eyebrow is raised as he looks at Cian.
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”Hot, huh? Control yourself, babe, we can leave all that for the flight.”
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Naturally, he winks, stepping closer to give him a soft and quick kiss. Definitely contradicting his own words here, but who could blame him?
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”What do you wanna have your French toast with?”


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+ CIAN MAHER

have the jet ready.

it's such a rich thing to say that cian can't help but roll his eyes at it. it does excite him, however, as he's never been on a private jet before. most people haven't and likely never will, so he should be ever so thankful.

he returns the kiss that leaves him wanting more, so, briefly, he sighs, thinking of what they're bound to do during their flight.

"some berries sound good. i have some in the fridge."

Martín del Mar

☉