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Whizzer woke up as if it was a normal morning. In the back of his mind, he noted it was his birthday. He was forty one today. He couldn’t even remember if Marvin knew it was his birthday. They must’ve shared that information at some point, he knew Marvin’s. But maybe Marvin didn’t know his. It didn’t matter, anyway. Whizzer didn’t need to celebrate. There wasn’t a point anymore.
Of course, that’s what he was trying to convince himself. It just made sense.
Marvin wasn’t in bed with him. He probably went to work early to continue the project his boss had him on.
Movement was heard in the room, and Whizzer turned over, finding Marvin sitting next to him again. “Hi.” He whispered, cuddling further into Marvin.
“Sit up, doll. I have something for you.” Marvin cooed, pulling Whizzer up. He still leaned against him, but at least it was easier to see. Marvin pulled out a small gift box, handing it over. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.” He murmured, leaning over to kiss Whizzer’s temple.
Whizzer just stared at him. “You- you got me a present?” He asked, eyes flickering back down in disbelief.
“I- yeah. ‘Course. Listen, I know I wasn’t the best the first time around, and we didn’t really do anything for your birthday, but- I care. I care, and I love you so much.” Marvin rambled, cupping Whizzer’s face with both hands.
“Don’t get sappy, baby.” Whizzer laughed, leaning in to kiss him softly. “I- thank you.” He whispered, leaning in to hug him. “I love you too, Marv. Thank you for doing this.”
“Whiz, are you crying?” Marvin asked, holding him back, one arm tightly around his waist and the other cupping the back of his head.
Whizzer shook his head, even as a sob escaped his lips. “I’m sorry.” He murmured, pulling away as though he’d been burned and wiping his eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“No, baby, come here. It’s okay. What’s going on, baby?” Marvin tried, pulling him back in. Whizzer went limp against him.
“I- nobody’s done anything more than say ‘happy birthday’ once to me on my birthday since I was ten. After that, my parents decided I was too old for a party. I just stopped celebrating altogether.” Whizzer sniffed, sliding the back of his hand across his eye.
Marvin held him, face buried in his hair. “Fuck your parents. We’re celebrating all day today. You don’t have work, and I took the day off. I have plans, and anything you don’t want to do, or if you have another idea, just say so, okay?”
Whizzer nodded slowly, smiling. “Okay.” He agreed, quietly nuzzling into the crook of Marvin’s neck.
“Open your present, my darling.” Marvin whispered, pushing it back into Whizzer’s arms.
Whizzer smiled, carefully undoing the wrapping paper. “It’s reusable.” He decided, laughing. Marvin just grinned back at him. He gestured for the younger to continue.
Whizzer obliged, pulling out the leather box containing a golden watch. Just as Whizzer had been admiring the other day when they were out to eat. “How did you-?”
“I saw you eyeing it. I also can read your mind.” Marvin humored, wrapping an arm around his lover. “Now, before I show you the next thing I got you, I got some… advice, so just know it’s not horrible.”
“Okay…” Whizzer nodded, eyebrows pinched together.
“I bought you an outfit to match it.” He stated, watching as Whizzer’s eyes lit up and widened in fear at the same time. “I had help, remember? It’s nice, I swear.” Marvin laughed. He walked over to his side of the closet, pulling out a neatly ironed and hanged outfit. “Good?”
“Marvin, I-” Whizzer smiled, getting up and pulling Marvin into a kiss. “Thank you.” He breathed. The shorter handed him the outfit, and Whizzer went to change.
As he walked back out, Marvin was waiting, just as they were when out shopping and Whizzer was trying something on. “Gosh, Marv, I know you had help, but… you’ve outdone yourself, baby.” Whizzer sighed, turning in the mirror to see the back of the outfit a bit. “I love it. Thank you.” He murmured, walking over and wrapping his arms around Marvin’s neck and straddling him. “So, what’s the plan for today?”
Marvin smiled, thumbing at Whizzer’s waist. “Well… I made pancakes for breakfast, chocolate chips with powdered sugar, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce. Just like we always do on special occasions. Then, I thought he could go out to central park, where I’m gonna give you your next present. And ice cream, maybe, if you’re up for it. Then, we could have lunch with everyone. Like- the neighbors, Weisenbachfelds, and Jason. Afterwards is a surprise. But that’s when you get another present. I was also thinking-”
“Wait Marv, I wasn’t expecting one present, let alone four. How many things are you giving me?” Whizzer huffed out an adoring chuckle, leaning their foreheads together.
“You’ll see, I guess. But I was also thinking we could order in from your favorite restaurant and cuddle on the couch for a bit… and then I have one more surprise for you.” Marvin explained, leaning down to nip at Whizzer’s neck. “How does that sound?”
“I love you.” Whizzer stated simply. “I love you, so, so, much.”
“I love you too, baby. Does that sound good, then?” Marvin asked, pecking him on the lips.
“It sounds amazing.” He whispered, nuzzling into Marvin’s neck.
Smiling, Marvin stood, picking up his lover with him. Whizzer yelped, clutching onto him. “I won’t drop you, darling, I promise.” He swore, turning and tucking Whizzer back into bed. “I’ll be right back with breakfast. We have to wash these sheets anyway.”
And oh, Whizzer had never felt more loved than he did in that moment. The feeling of being adored, having a day where he could be the final say in anything, it was amazing. He felt secure. Calm. And overwhelmingly cared for. Not only did Marvin remember, he decided to buy him a gift. Multiple gifts. And he planned out a day. And let him decide what he did and didn’t like. And fuck, Marvin was beautiful. The most beautiful man he’d ever seen.
Marvin came back a moment later, welcomed by a pepper of kisses anywhere Whizzer could reach. Marvin pulled away after a moment, setting their plates down and crawling into bed. “Why, hello there.” He teased, pecking the tallers lips. Marvin handed him a plate, and they pressed their sides together to eat.
Once finished, Marvin did their dishes while Whizzer finished getting ready.
“Central Park?” Marvin offered, reaching out a hand. Whizzer smiled, taking it and nodding.
The drive there was met in a comfortable silence. Marvin hummed, but Whizzer didn’t count that, as he always hummed along to the radio. Their hands connected on Whizzer’s thigh, and Marvin’s thumb rubbed circles into his hand. “You’re perfect, you know that?” Whizzer sighed, turning his head to look over at Marvin.
“It’s your day, my darling. If either of us should be getting compliments, it’s you.” Marvin murmured, deep and gentle. Whizzer felt heat rush to his face. Because he was not flustered by Marvin’s morning voice. Well, he was. A little. But not this much.
He just hummed in response. “You must feel lucky, then. I was kind to you, a mere peasant.” Whizzer teased in his best ‘snobby British royalty’ voice. Marvin laughed. As they ran into a red light, Marvin leaned over and kissed the corner of his lips before turning a bit to meet his lips properly.
“Then to return the favor,” he announced into the kiss, “I shall let you know that you, Whizzer Brown, are the most beautiful, amazing man I have ever laid eyes on, let alone talked to. You’re practically royalty in my eyes.”
“Oh dear, I’ve kissed one of my loyal followers. He’s not even a prince! What will mother think?” Whizzer cried, fighting a smile.
“We must keep it a secret. If the queen finds out, I’ll surely be beheaded on sight.” Marvin gasped, before the light turned green and their charade ended. Not forgotten, however. More, postponed, to be joked about randomly.
“You’re so cheesy.” Whizzer giggled.
“You bring that out in me”
Whizzer rolled his eyes, grabbing Marvin’s hand. They sat quietly, save for a couple random giggles, until Marvin parked.
“We’re here, darling.” Marvin said, and Whizzer looked over, eyebrows raised.
“I couldn’t tell.” He deadpanned, leaning over to kiss Marvin softly.
Marvin laughed as he pulled away, cupping Whizzer’s face. “I thought you were too busy staring at me to realize.”
“Sap.”
“Nope.” Marvin corrected, “observant.”
“Oh, well in that case-”
Marvin cut him off with another kiss, before smiling and getting out of the car. Whizzer followed.
“C’mon.” Marvin murmured in his ear, grinning and grabbing both hands, walking backwards.
Whizzer laughed, following. “You’re gonna run into someone.” He huffed, a large grin plastered on his face.
“Not if you don’t let me.” Marvin giggled, before quickly spinning them around and pushing Whizzer slowly.
“Okay, now you’re just gonna make me fall!” Whizzer cried, clutching onto Marvin’s arms. Marvin laughed.
He shook his head. “No. You won’t. I’ve got you, baby.” He promised, smiling.
“You’re impossible.”
“You’re afraid of walking backwards.”
“It’s a rational fear!” Whizzer countered, shuffling forward.
“It really isn't. Okay. Stop and close your eyes.” Marvin murmured, letting go and cupping Whizzer’s face.
“Don’t let me fall.”
“Do you trust me?”
Whizzer nodded, biting his lip.
“Close your eyes.” Marvin repeated, and Whizzer obliged. He heard a bag rustling, Marvin’s hand on his, and then a small “open.”
Whizzer opened his eyes, and his lips carved into a smile. “Is that-?”
“It is.” Marvin assured, a small grin on his own face. Whizzer was glowing.
In Marvin’s hands was a new camera, one that Whizzer had been saving up for and needed, as his old one was outdated and beginning to work incorrectly.
“There’s also some of the correct film in there, which I’ll admit I needed help from the cashier to get in, and a few more rolls at home.” Marvin told him, watched Whizzer’s eyes get wider and his smile grow.
“Smile.” Whizzer cooed, taking the camera and holding it up. Marvin grinned wider, love shining through his eyes as Whizzer snapped the photo. Once finished, he hooked it around his neck, walking over and pulling Marvin into a tight hug. “Thank you.” He breathed, peppering kisses all over his face.
Marvin wrapped his arms around his lover, leaning into the kisses he was being treated with. Eventually, he cupped Whizzer’s face, leaning in for a real kiss, holding the back of his head with one hand, his jaw with the other. “Love you, darling.”
“I love you, too.” Whizzer gasped, pulling away and going back into a hug.
“You wanna walk a bit? Take some pictures?” Marvin offered, massaging his back.
Whizzer nodded, grinning. “Definitely.”
They walked, hand in hand, down a sidewalk, Whizzer letting go every once in a while to snap a photo. He would lace their hands back together after that.
“Marvin?” Whizzer murmured, glancing over.
“What’s wrong, darling?” Marvin asked, stopping and pulling Whizzer to look at him, cupping his face with one hand.
Whizzer watched someone walk past, seeing the most disgusted expression on their face. “Do you think..?” He started, blinking and turning his gaze back to Marvin. “Do you think there’s a chance that one day… will people see this as okay?”
“See what is okay?”
“Us. Being gay.” He whispered, staring deep into Marvin’s eyes. “Maybe we’ll be able to get married. I mean- it’s probably just wishful thinking, but-”
“Maybe. I mean, there are more people deciding it’s okay. There are more protests than there used to be. Then when I met you for the first time, even. I’m not sure when, it’ll probably not be until we get a new president, at least. But, one day, yeah.”
Whizzer smiled softly, nodding. “Okay. And if that does happen…”
“Would you want to?” Marvin asked, hopeful.
Whizzer nodded eagerly, grinning with tear filled eyes. “Yeah. Yeah, I would love that.”
“Who are you and what have you done with my maybe-boyfriend from two years ago?”
Laughing, Whizzer pulled him into a hug, placing a soft kiss on his cheek.
“Now how about ice cream?” Marvin asked, face digging into Whizzers neck. Whizzer just nodded.
“Sure.” He whispered, pecking Marvin on the lips before pulling away and grabbing his hand. And for a moment, he didn’t care. He didn’t care about the dirty looks. He didn’t care about the guy who whispered a slur in his ear as he walked past. Because he had Marvin. Marvin, who cared. Marvin, who was celebrating his birthday. Marvin, who was assuring and agreed that if they could, they would get married. And Whizzer would want that, too, because it was Marvin.
“Here you go.” Marvin preened, handing over the ice cream. Whizzer smiled, starting to eat it, strawberry ice cream dotting his nose. Marvin laughed, holding his own and swiping the ice cream off, licking it off his thumb. Giggling, Whizzer led him to a bench, and they sat while eating, Whizzer leaning into his lover's shoulder.
“How long do we have until lunch with the others?” Whizzer asked, grabbing Marvin’s hand.
Marvin checked his watch, before finishing off his coke and looking at Whizzer. “About an hour, though the place is ten minutes away and we’ll wanna get there early. Why?”
“Let’s go to the car.” Whizzer decided, standing and pulling Marvin up.
He laughed, letting Whizzer pull him along. “Alright. Why?” He asked, running to catch up.
“I want to cuddle. And home is too far, so. Backseat.” He nodded, opening the car door and following Marvin in, ducking into his arms. “I love you.” He whispered, feeling Marvin’s arms wrap comfortably around him.
“Love you too, sweetheart. Happy birthday.”
Whizzer hummed. He snuggled closer, placing a soft kiss to Marvin’s jaw.
They lay there for a while, occasionally shifting or whispering sweet, love filled comments to each other. Mostly, however, it was spent in silence, just taking each other in. Marvin practically created a shell around him, and he felt completely safe in that moment.
But soon, they had to go, and Marvin and he moved to the front. Whizzer was never told where they were going, so he sat in the passenger seat, watching to try and guess. He couldn’t, however, because soon they were there, and Marvin was shaking his knee. “I uh- I found a new place I thought you’d like, but if you don’t, we can always change spots, just let me know, baby.”
Whizzer nodded, taking Marvin’s offered hand and getting out of the car. They got a table, sitting what was probably too close to each other. Marvin placed a hand on Whizzer’s thigh, and Whizzer put a hand on top of his, smiling softly.
Soon, the neighbors got there, and they squeezed in next to them, placing a small bag on the table in front of them.
“Jesus.” Whizzer laughed quietly, leaning into Marvin.
Cordelia froze, looking over. “Would you rather us sit on the other side? This probably isn’t meant for four people anyway.”
“No, today has just been… full of surprises.” He sighed, leaning over and pressing a kiss to Marvin’s cheek.
“Did you guys already-”
“No! No, Cordelia, I just haven’t celebrated my birthday in… a while, is all.” Whizzer laughed, squeezing Marvin’s hand.
Cordelia gasped, staring him dead in the eye. “In how long?” She asked, horrified.
“Twenty eight years?” Whizzer winced, watching as Cordelia’s face scrunched up in horror and Charlotte placed a hand on her shoulder.
“What?!” She shouted, causing a few heads to turn.
“Delia, baby, calm down.” Charlotte giggled, squeezing her shoulder.
“You’re opening this right now. Marvin, you better be showering him with birthday celebration stuff.” She passed Whizzer the gift, glaring at Marvin.
Whizzer laughed. “He definitely has been.” He murmured, smiling. Cordelia nodded.
“Good. Now open.”
He did so, carefully taking out the small box and looking it over.
“What-?”
“Open the box.”
Whizzer nodded, carefully undoing the tape.
“You’re allowed to be aggressive with it, Whiz. That’s like- the rules.” Cordelia urged, pantomiming ripping a box open. Whizzer laughed, copying with the box in front of him.
He pulled out a bottle of champagne, laughing at Cordelia’s proud look.
“You know me too well.” He sighed, setting it down. He leaned over to Marvin. “We’re drinking this later.” He whispered in his ear, kissing his temple before pulling away. Marvin smiled as Whizzer placed his hand back over his.
It was then that the Wisenbachfelds got there, and Whizzer waved them down with a small smile. Jason saw him first, grinning and running over.
“Whizzer!” He exclaimed, waiting for Whizzer to get out of the seat to tackle him in a hug.
“Hey there, kiddo.” Whizzer laughed, kissing the top of his head.
Jason looked up, smiling. “Hi, Whizzer.”
Trina and Mendel made it over, waving. “Happy birthday.” Trina said as Mendel handed him a gift. “We tried our best, but… we really need to hang out more. But uh, make Marvin cook this for you, I think you’ll like it.” She assured, patting him on the back.
“Thanks. I’ll make him.” Whizzer nodded, moving to sit back down, feeling Marvin’s hand fall back on his thigh. He whispered what Trina told him to Marvin, showing him the recipe and watching as his eyes widened.
“I’ll try, but if it’s horrible, I’m sorry. We both know I’m a horrible cook.”
“Oh come on, you’re not that bad.”
“I kind of am.”
“Your food is always edible.” Whizzer countered, squeezing his hand and leaning into him.
“Edible and good are two very different things. Remember that time you ate poison ivy and decided it tasted good?”
“I’m not dead, am I?” Whizzer laughed, turning his attention away as a waiter walked by to take their orders.
As the waiter walked away, Jason pulled out a miniature chess board. “Whizzer, do you want to play?”
“Sure, kiddo. Set it up for us?” Whizzer asked, smiling as Jason nodded. He looked to Marvin who stared back, smiling softly and that glint in his eye. The one he got when he was truly, completely vulnerable. “You alright?” Whizzer murmured, furrowing his eyebrows. Marvin just nodded.
“I love you so much, sweetheart.” Marvin whispered, squeezing his thigh.
“I- I love you too, baby. Are you okay?” Whizzer echoed, holding his hand a bit tighter. Marvin nodded again.
“I’m doing perfectly. Just admiring.” He promised, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek.
“Ew.” Jason interrupted, scrunching his face up. “Get a room, you guys.”
Whizzer laughed, turning his attention back and moving a pawn. “Sorry, Jason.” He giggled, continuing the game as Marvin gazed at him.
A bit later, once the lunch was over, they were back at home, sitting on the couch, lips connected. Whizzers hands wrapping around his neck and a hand in his hair. Marvin was pulling him close, their waists touching.
“Thank you for today.” Whizzer breathed against Marvin’s lips, catching his breath.
“Mm. Not over yet, baby. And… I had something I wanted to try. I think you’ll like it.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Whizzers head lay on Marvin’s chest, breathing heavily. “Baby…” he sighed, eyes fluttering closed.
“You okay?” Marvin asked, running a hand up and down his lover's arm.
“I’m amazing.” He murmured, leaning up to catch Marvin’s lips in a soft kiss. “Thank you.”
Marvin hummed, combing hands through his hair. “You’re so perfect.” He breathed, curling his arms around him and pulling him close. “And… Whiz? I’ve been.. thinking. About our conversation earlier.” Marvin told him, tapping his shoulder to sit him up. “Can you sit on the edge of the bed for me?”
Whizzer nodded, moving and watching as Marvin moved to stand and face him. He watched as Marvin knelt down and stared at him so honestly.
“Can- can we put pants on? This feels weird when we’re naked.” Marvin offered, laughing nervously.
Laughing along, Whizzer took the clothing Marvin handed him, slipping the sweatpants on. “Okay, baby. What’s up?”
“I was… thinking about earlier, and our conversation about how if we could get married, we would both want that, and…” Marvin paused, taking a breath. “I thought, if that does happen, we could be ready. Finish planning immediately, so- Whizzer, do you want to be my fiancé? And, if we’re lucky, maybe my husband one day?”
Whizzer stared at him for a minute, before breaking out into a smile and nodding. He pulled Marvin up and into his arms, kissing him. Marvin took his hand, slipping a ring onto his finger and one onto his own, without breaking it. Whizzer grinned onto his lips, before pulling away and holding his face.
“When did you even have time to buy that?” Whizzer asked, huffing out a laugh.
“When I had Jason have you practice with him.” Marvin laughed, kissing him again quickly.
Whizzer nodded, tears threatening his eyes. “You’re such an idiot.” He breathed, leaning their foreheads together. “I can also see why you wanted us to put clothes on now. Thank you for not proposing naked. Cause now… I can do this.”
He pulled up the camera, holding his hand up and kissing Marvin on the cheek as he snapped the picture. Marvin preened.
“Ready to order in?” Marvin asked as Whizzer shook out the photo, waiting for it to form.
Whizzer nodded. “Is it alright if I go over to the neighbors real fast while you order? To tell them the news?”
Marvin grinned. “Of course, my darling.”
As Marvin walked to the phone, Whizzer went next door, knocking and waiting for the door to open, a wide grin on his face.
Cordelia opened the door. “Whizzer? You okay? Why are you smiling like that?”
Whizzer held up his left hand, biting his lip to keep from screaming. Cordelia however, did. “Oh my god! Charlotte, come here!” She squealed, and soon, Charlotte was at the door, grinning.
“Holy shit, congrats, Whiz!” Charlotte laughed, patting him on the back.
“Wait, but, how are you gonna-?”
“We’re not going to. Yet. We just thought, if it did become legal, we could be ready. And it just makes us feel more official, y’know? I just- I like feeling like I have someone. And I felt that before, but now… it’s just, different, I guess? More real. Like a huge promise.” He explained, just as the apartment door opened and Marvin fastened his arms around his waist.
“Hey there, doll.” He murmured, hooking his head on Whizzers shoulder. Cordelia looked at him knowingly.
“Hey there, Mr. Engaged.” She giggled, squeezing his shoulder. Marvin grinned. “Do they match?”
“Do what match?” Marvin asked, raising an eyebrow.
Cordelia stared, perplexed. “The rings, you dumbo! Do the rings match?”
Marvin nodded, holding his and Whizzer’s hands out. Cordelia squealed. “Ahh! Oh my god! I can’t believe you finally did it, Marv!”
Whizzer furrowed his eyebrows. “Finally?” He asked, looking around. “The fuck do you mean, ‘finally’?”
“He’s been planning this for a month.” Charlotte sighed.
“A month?!”
“I was trying to find the right time, and after earlier… it felt right. I dunno. Sorry, I should’ve taken you out or something, I just didn’t know whether you’d say yes, and you said that we would earlier, and I wanted to do it today.” Marvin explained, kissing his jaw.
“Marv…” Whizzer murmured, turning in his arms to look at him. “It was perfect.”
“Alright, well you two get back to… birthday and engagement activities, and we’re gonna go work on something. Bye!”
The door closed.
“She was telling us to fuck, wasn’t she?” Marvin laughed, looking up at him.
“Oh, definitely.” Whizzer giggled, kissing his nose. “Let’s go back inside, yeah? Cuddle until the food gets here?”
Marvin agreed, and they walked back, curling up on the couch with Whizzer in Marvin’s arms.
The food arrived too quickly, and Whizzer was stripped from Marvin’s grasp as he went to grab the food. Whizzer stayed on the couch, folding his legs up and leaning against the armrest. Marvin came back, handing him the Italian they got and sitting back down, giving Whizzer a much more comfortable thing to lean on as he ate.
Once they were done eating, Marvin did the dishes, and then came back to Whizzer with another gift bag in hand. “Okay. I have two more things for you. This is the second. I’ll go get the first, okay? Stay here for a second.” Marvin left the house, leaving Whizzer alone, and he moved his hand down to spin the ring. It felt as though it was instinct. And Whizzer loved it. He grinned, looking down as he felt heat rush to his ears.
Marvin came back a moment later, and before Whizzer could even turn around, Marvin spoke. “Close your eyes and don’t turn around.” He said, and Whizzer could hear the smile in his voice. He did as told, crossing his legs. He heard Marvin walk over, and a sort of… scuttling, following him. “Open.” Marvin whispered.
He blinked the dark spots away, and he found Marvin, holding up a fuzzy creature in his arms.
“Is that..?” Whizzer started, eyes lighting up.
“A puppy? Yeah. And she’s a husky, which needs a lot of running room, which brings us to our last surprise…” Marvin handed over the gift bag, smiling. Whizzer opened it, pulling out a key. “I found a house, not in the suburbs, and it has a huge backyard. It’s what you’ve been wanting. Somewhere quiet. Where we can just… be. But it’s not too far away, so we’d be able to visit everyone pretty often.”
Whizzers eyes gleamed, and he pulled Marvin down for a hug, before taking the puppy from him. “Hey there, sweetie!” He squealed, petting her behind the ear. Her head tilted. “Marvin, you spoil me.” Whizzer cooed, leaning into Marvin as he sat on the couch, the puppy laying in his lap.
“Name her.” Marvin whispered, tucking Whizzer’s hair behind his ear.
Whizzer thought for a moment. “I don’t want to be basic.” He explained his hesitation. “Her eyes look like little gemstones.” He pointed out, and Marvin looked happy. Really, truly happy. “I’m calling her Gem.” Whizzer decided, grinning. Marvin smiled.
“Don’t replace me, yeah?” Marvin laughed, reaching over to ruffle Whizzer’s hair.
“Hey!” He giggled, trying to fix it. “And no promises. Kidding!” He added when Marvin’s jaw dropped. “Nothing could replace you, sweetheart.”
“Mm. Now how about a horror movie and then bed?”
“I would love that.”