If it were Mars’ choice, he’d definitely have Cian in the office with him all day. Although, at that point, he’d also rather not be at his office at all. Spending all day together every single day… It sounds nice, but is that also what Cian wants?
[break][break]
Maybe it’s better to ask things like those...
[break][break]
”Would you, if you could?”
[break][break]
The question comes with a smirk, even though he knows there really isn’t a need to ask it.
[break][break]
After all, Cian is here spending his birthday alone with him instead of being with anyone else in the world, and that in itself says a lot. This is something Mars reminds himself of.
[break][break]
”At least I have you all to myself today. No offense to photo-Cian, but this is much better.”
[break][break]
He winks then.

[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

guess mars won't have to assume after all.

"be in your office all day?"

he pauses to think, considering the scenario for moments. it sounds nice to be with mars the whole day, but would being in his office grow boring? there isn't much for cian to do, and eventually mars would have to work, right?

"probably not, but mostly because i wouldn't know what to do when i'm not with you."

turning to look at mars, he ask:

"would you want me to?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Confidence is one of the main pillars upon which Mars’ whole existence is built, almost as if the crux of his whole personality. It’s perhaps one of the main things people think of when thinking of him, and yet, there are things about which even someone like Mars can be insecure and even anxious.
[break][break]
Perhaps, they should be called his Achilles’ heel.
[break][break]
Things like relationships.
[break][break]
Things like feeling like people truly care for him beyond whatever he may be able to give them…
[break][break]
”Hmm… That makes sense, yeah. It would suck if you just sat around being bored for hours.”
[break][break]
He chuckles at this, but when the next question comes, Mars looks ahead, and there’s no more than a simple squeeze of Cian's hand.
[break][break]
”Yeah, but I’d also much rather spend the whole day with you somewhere else.”
[break][break]
With these words, he turns to look at him, a smirk tugging at his lips.

[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

somewhere else... that sounds nice. where would they spend it, though? in another region like alto mare? in hoenn? ideas invade his headspace, making him feel warm and excited even though it's just a thought.

"could always remote work, babe."

he winks.

"or retire."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

It’s a nice thought. One that makes him feel happy and warm and full of all those silly feelings that he once thought he would never feel again. It’s an unlikely thought too, and one that for him would take stupid amount of effort to make a reality, but when looking at Cian, all those realistic “if”s and “but”s are pushed to the back of his mind…
[break][break]
”Yeah, I could.”
[break][break]
He smiles, then pondering for a second or two.
[break][break]
”What would we do all day if I retire, though?... Other than the obvious.”
[break][break]
Naturally, at this, he winks too.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

what is the obvious?

the wink makes it oh so obvious, but it definitely was obvious even before.

still, cian chuckles, playfully bumping into mars's shoulder.

"what do old people do when they retire? play bridge on the porch or some shit?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

It definitely was obvious before, but when the bump comes there’s a chuckle of his own. In response, he does no more than let go of Cian’s hand, if only to wrap an arm around his shoulders and pull him close once more.
[break][break]
”Babe, I live in a penthouse, there’s no porch... Guess we’ll just have to get a new house.”
[break][break]
Another fantasy where they live happily together, then?
[break][break]
That doesn’t sound bad at all…
[break][break]
Actually, it sounds amazing.
[break][break]
”I bet we can find stuff to do together though.”

[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

"oh right. bridge on the balcony, then?"

he leans into mars, appreciating the way he's pulled even closer.

a house sounds lovely, and once again, it's almost too easy for him to slip into their imaginary world. their ideal world.

to live happily ever after with mars...

"that sounds nice. we can even learn something new together. like knitting, or whatever old people do."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

”Bridge on the balcony it is. Don’t think I’ve ever even played bridge, though… Is there a strip version of that?”
[break][break]
The question comes with a smirk, because how could he not ask something like that even if he already knows the answer and is obviously joking? It would be unlike him not to. A wasted opportunity.
[break][break]
And yet, all jokes aside, the thought of living together with Cian – be it at the penthouse or be it somewhere else – is one that makes him smile. One that makes him feel warm, and happy, and safe, even when being well aware of everything that stands in their way.
[break][break]
”Knitting? Really? Oh, that’s cute as hell. Bet the cats would totally ruin the yarn, though – especially Fulgora.”
[break][break]
Which is, of course, the name of Mars’ beloved Zeraora, whose destructive abilities Cian should be all too familiar with, considering that he’s the reason Mars owns the electric feline to begin with.

[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

"strip bridge? probably. that's how they make it fun, right?"

otherwise bridge just sounds dreadful as hell. cian isn't even sure how to play, but he's sure it'll be boring.

at the mention of the zeraora, he turns, smiling at the memory of them on mars' balcony that one night.

"oh yeah. how's training been with him?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

”I’d hope so. What’s the point otherwise?”
[break][break]
In truth, Mars has always liked card games, but things like poker and blackjack are his preference and he definitely has no idea how to play bridge. Why would he? Everyone knows bridge is for old people, and it’s not like he has nice grandparents to play it with or anything...
[break][break]
The question about his Zeraora distracts him from all those thoughts, and he can’t help but chuckle when thinking of it.
[break][break]
”It’s been going well, but he can be stubborn as hell. Pretty sure he got that from you.”
[break][break]
At this, he smirks, pulling Cian ever so slightly closer in order to give him a quick peck on the cheek.
[break][break]
After all, who else could the Zeraora get his stubbornness from?
[break][break]
Not Mars himself, obviously.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

poker and blackjack — these are the only two card games cian knows how to play. he could probably scrape by with other card games, pretending like he knows them well enough, but poker and blackjack are what he's good at.

but then again, can one really be good at blackjack?

"i'm not stubborn?"

still, he smiles when his cheek is pecked.

"he got his cuteness from me, too."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Maybe they should go to a casino together sometime and play cards. It would be a fun activity for an evening, especially considering that Mars himself is investing in one, but of course none of those thoughts cross his mind at the time…
[break][break]
He’s all too preoccupied with chuckling at Cian’s response, his own retort coming just as stubborn even if simple:
[break][break]
”Babe.”
[break][break]
Maybe they’re both just incorrigible.
[break][break]
”Of course he did, though between you and I, you’re still waaaaay cuter.”
[break][break]
With these words comes another quick kiss to get the point across – never one to mind being in public.
[break][break]
"You better not tell him I said that though!"
[break][break]
As if his Zeraora would care at all.

[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER