yeah.

it's that simple, huh? should it be that simple? he isn't too sure. what he is sure of, however, is that there are still too many things they haven't talked about — things they should talk about prior to making any big decisions like moving to alto mare.

even if the idea warms him.

"alright."

he smiles.

"next year, then."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

It’s never as easy as that. There are many things that stand in the way for both of them. But, if anything, perhaps it’s a reassurance of how things will go when they do get to seriously discuss all of that; a reassurance of how they both feel about things, even if they’re not ready to express it clearly just yet.
[break][break]
It makes him happy, Cian’s smile being mirrored with one of his own.
[break][break]
”Next year it is.”
[break][break]
Next year, if it were just their choice, they’d move to Alto Mare together.
[break][break]
At this moment, it sounds like the most amazing idea in the world.
[break][break]
”You should probably see some more of Alto Mare before then, though.”
[break][break]
More than just a restaurant and pizza.
[break][break]
He smirks at Cian, for they do have the rest of the day ahead of them.

[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

next year it is.

there are a lot of variables to consider and even more variables that are in play. would rocket even allow them to leave? would his dad? these are the things cian will eventually have to deal with, but for now, none of them come to existence. they remain dormant, resting in the deepest pits of his mind.

"well, show me around, then."

as soon as they finish this pizza, of course. cian takes another slice.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

It’s almost funny to think about all the things that had been worrying him before today; so much to stress about, so many things that took his time and energy. All of those things will return once they’re back in Hoenn, but right here, right now, they’re all pushed to the back of his mind, disappearing in favour of spending time with Cian.
[break][break][break]
He takes another slice of pizza, not bothering with rushing to finish it. They have time, and it’s better to enjoy these moments anyway.
[break][break]
”I will. What do you wanna see next, though?”
[break][break]
After all, it’s still Cian’s birthday.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

what next?

so many options...

"let's go shopping."

they still have all day and possibly night here, so there's absolutely no rush. he takes his time with his food, eating slowly as if to prolong the moment and experience.

his gaze shifts out to the streets, watching strangers pass by.

"unless you have other suggestions. i'm all game, mister tour guide."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

They do have all day, and they do have all night, since there’s a hotel reservation already waiting for them in case they’d like to make use of it. That’s not something he has told Cian, but it should be easy enough to guess as much, since isn’t Mars always one to be prepared?
[break][break]
At the suggestion of shopping, he smirks.
[break][break]
”Babe, you know I could never say no to shopping.”
[break][break]
It’s somewhat of a guilty pleasure, although there isn’t really much guilt to it…
[break][break]
”We should go get you some cake later, though. Gotta blow candles and all, right?”
[break][break]
He winks, a chuckle following this, and his attention soon returns to eating his pizza.

[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

how could he ever forget? all birthdays require a cake of some kind, or at least something to blow out the candles on. how else would he make a wish?

there isn't much he could wish for, however, when he has everything he could ever want with mars.

"alright. it better be the best cake in alto mare."

the rest of his pizza is finished.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

What would Cian wish for on his birthday?
[break][break]
Mars would actually like to know. Not out of mere curiosity, but because if there’s anyone out there whose wishes he cares for, that may just be Cian and Cian alone. If it’s within his power, he’d like to help make those wishes come true, and isn’t that part of why he’s going through the trouble of giving him all of this?
[break][break]
A birthday just according to his wishes, where every choice is his – even when it comes to the smallest of things.
[break][break]
”Would you ever expect any less? What’s your favourite flavour?”
[break][break]
He probably should have asked this before.
[break][break]
They finish their pizza, and yet they still remain sitting at the restaurant, simply enjoying each other’s company and their conversation.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

"vanilla."

how ironic coming from him.

"coconut is pretty good, too."

he flashes mars a grin, a wink, then leans forward a little as he continues to sip at his drink, washing down what remains of the pizza.

"it better be at the hotel when we get there."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

’Vanilla.’
[break][break]
An eyebrow is raised, a playful smirk on his lips as he looks at Cian almost as if saying ”Don’t make me say what you know I’m going to say.” Who could blame him, really? There’s no way Cian would have been able to resist the urge to tease him if Mars had told him his favourite cake flavour is vanilla, of all things.
[break][break]
Instead of saying anything about it, he too leans in closer, holding Cian’s gaze.
[break][break]
”Not a problem, babe, you’ll have your vanilla cake.”
[break][break]
As if it’s a challenge to be met.
[break][break]
Not really a hard one, at that. Not when considering the kind of hotel they’ll be staying at and how much he’s paying for their room. Vanilla cake is no tall order at all.
[break][break]
”That’d better be the only vanilla thing about the evening, though.”
[break][break]
In the end, he also can’t resist the urge.



[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

and so, the challenge is met, even if cian hadn't intended for it to. he should've known better, though, because he'd have done the exact same thing.

it's why his lips easily curl into a grin.

"yeah? i dunno, mars. have we ever done pure vanilla before?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Challenge or not, it’s fun, and Mars is happy that things are this way between them – even if their conversation is likely to scandalize anyone who overhears them. But, it’s not like that matters. When has Mars ever cared about strangers?
[break][break]
He doesn’t even bother with lowering his voice, looking at Cian in the eyes as he says his next words:
[break][break]
”Never, and where not starting now.”
[break][break]
Truly, he wouldn’t mind if that’s what Cian wanted, it would never be bad, but that’s just not the way they do things, is it?
[break][break]
”I still can’t believe your favourite cake is actually vanilla, though.”
[break][break]
At that, he chuckles, obviously just teasing him.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

never.

"good."

because it's not what cian wants, but the idea is entertaining to consider.

at the teasing question, he pouts a little, defensive.

"vanilla has everything you could possibly want. it's simple and perfect."

and then he questions:

"what other good flavors are there?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉