Cian could easily guess the consequences, but as should be expected, Mars plays along. He smirks, wrapping an arm around Cian’s shoulders and leaning in close for the sake of whispering the next words to his ear – as if they’re some secret too scandalous to risk having anyone else hear it.
[break][break]
”Consequences, Cian.”
[break][break]
Of course.
[break][break]
And yet, Cian’s next words make him look at him, surprise clearly showing itself in his expression.
[break][break]
”Wait… why? It’s your birthday, you shouldn’t be buying me anything...”
[break][break]
That’s how it works, isn't it?

[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

consequences.

whatever those may be, he's sure he'll find out later.

for now, he only smirks.

"sure, but i want to."

he leans in to kiss mars' cheek.

"consider it a thank you for doing all of this for me."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

’Consider it a thank you for doing all of this for me.’
[break][break]
It’s not that Mars isn’t used to people buying him gifts – it happens often enough, actually – but he’s definitely not used to situations like this. When was the last time someone refused his money? When was the last time someone so easily showed him how much they appreciate what he does for them? When was the last time they seemed to honestly wish to return the favour, even if in such a simple way?
[break][break]
It’s both the explanation and the kiss that make him smile, in that gentle and honest way that seems to exist solely for Cian, and it is then when he leans in too, also placing a kiss on his cheek in response.
[break][break]
”Thank you.”
[break][break]
The words come sweet and lovingly, for they’re said in place of what he actually wants to say – of those words that he knows shouldn’t be said just yet but that are true nonetheless.
[break][break]
I love you.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

"of course."

it's the least he could do to show mars how much he means to him. in that moment, he's never been more sure of anything in his life.

i love you.

but, of course, in typical fashion, they both leave things unsaid.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Maybe it’s a good thing that it remains unsaid for now, since a sportswear store is not exactly the most romantic place where to say ‘I love you’ for the first time. It’s not where Mars would want such a moment to happen, at least, but the words still linger, and it’s hard to resist the urge to say them.
[break][break]
He says nothing instead.
[break][break]
For now, he simply smiles faintly to himself while waiting for Cian to pay, the language barrier thankfully not being much of a barrier at all when it comes to those things, since store clerks are usually used to dealing with tourists.
[break][break]
”What do you wanna do now?”
[break][break]
The question is simple enough, and it’s asked as he takes their bags.

[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

once they're all paid up, he tugs mars by his arm and leads them outside, back into the wonderful streets of alto mare.

"i dunno..."

he hums, looking around.

"what are some touristy things we can do?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

It’s with ease that he follows him out of the store, allowing Cian to lead the way while also catching up in order to walk right next to him through those streets that are so different from any other place in the nearby regions. So much about the island is like a treasure; a beautiful jewel, something rare and unique that cannot be found anywhere but here.
[break][break]
It makes him even more glad that they came to Alto Mare together. Glad to be experiencing these things with Cian even if it’s something as simple as walking down the streets of a busy shopping district together.
[break][break]
”Hmm… Let’s see… We could do so more shopping, find some shops that sell cheesy souvenirs, go take pictures with some of the monuments, go to the museum, the art gallery… Uhm… What other things are touristy?”
[break][break]
He chuckles with this question, holding all the bags in one hand so he can take Cian’s with the other, then squeezing gently.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

"actually, let's go find some shops that sell cheesy souvenirs. i wanna get stuff for a few people."

so many options, so little time. it's difficult to pick what to do exactly when he wants to do all of it, but he somehow manages.

he looks back at mars, excitement laced in his expression.

"and then we can go to the art gallery, then head down to the canals for the sunset?""

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

”Spending your time buying things for other people on your one day trip to Alto Mare? So considerate, babe. It’s a cute side of you… Sure, souvenir shop it is.”
[break][break]
It’s honestly not an option he had expected Cian to pick. He had mostly said it as a joke, because of course Mars himself isn’t the type of person who buys cheesy cheap souvenirs when going on a trip. Who would he even buy them for? Most of his friends wouldn’t appreciate things like those, except maybe for URIAH BLACK, who is probably sad Mars never gets him anything like that when going on vacation…
[break][break]
Who knows, maybe that will change this time.
[break][break]
”Canals during the sunset sounds perfect. You sure about the art gallery, though? Wouldn’t want you to get bored.”
[break][break]
His words come with a smirk, but in reality, his excitement is almost just as clear and obvious as Cian’s is.



[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

"i mean, they'd probably get really sad if i came back empty-handed, you know?"

yes, URIAH BLACK is definitely sad that mars travels all around the world but has rarely gotten him anything. punk ass mars.

cian nods, beaming with yet another smile.

"hell yeah. i love art."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Do people really get sad when others go on trips and don’t bring them any souvenirs?
[break][break]
Mars has never been that sort of person, nor has he received souvenirs all that often, so Cian’s words are actually surprising to him, and he considers them for a moment as they walk down the streets of Alto Mare.
[break][break]
”Guess that’s true… Who are you getting gifts for, then? Might as well have a list.”
[break][break]
He’s also asking out of curiosity, of course, even if he can take a guess as to what most of the answer will be.
[break][break]
But, it’s easily that this curiosity is pushed aside, because Cian’s next words come as even more of a surprise. Art doesn’t seem like something he’d be particularly interested in, yet the thought of it makes Mars mirror his smile.
[break][break]
”You do? Huh… I never knew that. I love art too.”
[break][break]
In Mars’ case, this is obvious enough, especially with the nice paintings that decorate the penthouse and even his own office at the bank’s corporate headquarters.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

a list sounded like a great idea. why didn't he think of that?

he hummed, choosing carefully.

"probably will get something for my brothers, and something for my nephew, too."

caden maher would get his first, most likely. boruta maher, however, was a bit trickier. their situation was still rocky at best, but that wouldn't stop him from attempting to patch things up with him. the gift for Roman Maher would likely have to be given some other time.

"oh. and @elliott, i guess."

and yes, mars loving art was no surprise to him.

"well, i can appreciate art, but i'm not crazy about it."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Most of the list is indeed expected, and despite how strained and difficult Cian’s relationship may be with some of his family members, it truly makes Mars happy to hear him talk about something as simple as getting them gifts. It shows that he cares for them, that they matter to him, that his family is cherished even if things aren’t perfect between them.
[break][break]
Cian deserves that; to have other people he cherishes.
[break][break]
Does Mars, though? Maybe he should buy a couple of gifts too…
[break][break]
”Sounds like a good list. You know, I’ve yet to meet any of them… Other than that one time when I had a battle against your older brother at the tournament.”
[break][break]
He smirks at this, because that can hardly count as meeting boruta maher, can it? Not when Mars hadn’t even told him he knew Cian to begin with, and especially not when so many other battles had been fought, making it all rather meaningless. Then again, he wasn’t even dating Cian back then. It was all much different.
[break][break]
”Who’s @elliott? Friend of yours?”
[break][break]
As they walk closer to the city’s landmarks, small souvenir shops begin to appear all around them, colourful signs announcing their “bargain” prices.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER