#will and el are twins who sometimes share a boyfriend like they share clothes

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

You know what's weird. Will may be jealous of El, but would he hate her? No. He loves Mike, and he loves El. . .she's his sister. I don't know why there is fighting amongst the two ships (one side being meaner than the other). I think if El found out that her brother loves Mike, she would either step aside or offer to share him. Both ships are valid. Yes, it's canon that Will loves Mike. It's canon that Mike loves El, that El loves Mike. I don't understand why Mike can't love them both. Would it be weird? Maybe, but then again, so are monsters from another dimension who faces open up like a flower. If there's anything that I learned about my own past anger over ships, it's pointless fighting about who's ship is more valid. We're all here to have fun. Plus. . .El and Will making schedules on what days they get Mike and then having meetings to discuss Mike's behavior. Sometimes, they have the meeting in front of him. I do think either they both step aside or they come up with a solution that makes everyone happy because El, Will, and Mike have really big hearts even if Mike doesn't show it in the same way that Will does. So, maybe I'm weird for liking both Byler and Mileven.

Lmao, imagine Hopper's face if he finds out Mike is dating both of his kids.

[x-infernhoes-x]

She’s My Collar- Basilio x Reader

Title: She’s My Collar

Genre: Romance, Smut, Porn with Plot

Warning(s): Mentions of Semi-Public Sex, Car Sex, Mentions of Alcohol, Implied Consent, Basilio nearly murdering someone because they spoke badly about you

Description: KAI IF YOU’RE READING THIS, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU AND ALL OF YOU BASILIO SIMPS 

NOTE SOMETIME AROUND 3:00 AM YESTERDAY NAWALA YUNG ORIGINAL PUTANG INA I WAS THIS CLOSE ON FINISHING IT SHDJGFHJBDKJBSEDVGSJHGBKHGSFKJBGBKJGBJGLJBGWL  AN HOUR’S WORTH OF WRITING G O N E AND I HAD TO REWRITE EVERYTHING I AM STRESSED AND DSBJKGBKJFSDGNB SO ENJOY.

4:31 AM NOTE UPDATE YESTERDAY: langya ayoko na. matutulog na nga ako, sakit na ng likod ko.

6:50 PM NOTE TODAY: I’M GOING TO FINISH THIS BEFORE MIDNIGHT COMES. ALSO, DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE KIDS!!

12:10 AM NOTE TODAY: The note above this one is a lie. I managed to continue this after family night lmao but enjoy still. Tried my best to make it gender-neutral as possible but yeah :’) I kinda failed successfully I think???

  You and Basilio have been dating for quite some time now. Although he was a messy guy you made sure that you had his back and helped him out to work on how to keep his sloppy tendencies at bay and in turn he would shower you with love and affection that you would usually get from the demi-god of war. Basilio was the perfect guy, he was a sweet lad who made your lonely days better, he made sure that you were cared for in any shape or form and he always had your back in everything and he would give you anything you would ask for in the world. The two of you barely even fought and if you were to fight, it would be more of a joke one than an all-out screaming match. He was the best thing that has ever happened to you and you constantly thank Bathala for it and Basilio thought the same. The two of you were a match made in heaven.

 Although despite your busy schedules keeping the two of you apart, you both made sure that you and your loving boyfriend would get the chance to hang out together. Often, you and Basilio would frequent the Diabolical together, just basking in each other's presence, tucked away in some booth Hank had reserved for the two of you, or sitting by the bar just chatting about each other’s day. You could recall Hank telling you that whenever you were around or that when someone ever mentions your name, Basilio seemed to calm down and would eagerly listen into whatever conversation had said your name. There was a time where Basilio nearly knocked someone’s teeth out because they were talking badly of you and it took Crispin, Maliksi, Hannah, Amie, Alex, and Hank himself to hold back the younger twin and prevent him from punching someone’s lights or teeth out or even prevent a murder from ever happening.

 “Alam mo, (Y/N) pag naririnig ni Basilio na dadaan ka rito, parang siyang aso na di mapakali. Kulang nalang na magkaroon siya ng buntot e.” Hank joked as he was cleaning the freshly washed glass, watching Basilio flush red, face buried into his forearm as he groaned in response while you let out a small chuckle.

 Now looking back, that memory seemed to be far away from you. Tonight happened to be your anniversary with Basilio and instead of a cozy night in, he wanted to do something different.  Basilio wanted to take you out dancing and bar hopping around Bonifacio Global City’s luxurious bars (sometimes you wondered to yourself how the hell can Basilio afford this.) and maybe take you sight seeing around the place when you got the time. Pacing around your living room in your apartment, you were about to shoot him a text message when a knock at your door had interrupted you from doing so, nearly dropping your phone in the process. “Sandali  lang!” you yelled to whoever was outside the door. If there was one thing you learned from dating Basilio, it was being vigilant. You had to make sure that the person on the other side of your door was your boyfriend and not some kind of Aswang or any malicious person who had a personal grudge against the twins and Alex. Taking a peek at the pee hole your door had, you were greeted by the sight of your boyfriend, Basilio grinning up at you as he waved. Instead of wearing his suit, Basilio was in his casual clothing for tonight, his long silken locks pulled back in a half-up, half-down man-bun.

 Opening the door, you then welcomed him with open arms before proceeding to smack him playfully on his arm, an amused smirk on your lips as you opened your mouth to speak, your tone light and teasing, “Took you long enough! Siguro na-traffic ka no?” Basilio could only roll his dark eyes at you as he placed a loving kiss upon your head. “Hindi a, si Kuya Crispin kasi e, sobrang tagal niya sa banyo kaya ayun.” Pulling himself away from you, he then offered his arm for you to take with a grin, his head tilting towards the direction of the door as he spoke, “So ano? Tara na?” “Siyempre naman.”  

 After making sure your apartment was locked, the two of you went down towards the direction of the parking lot and took a couple few selfies inside the elevator, you and Basilio were off. While in the car, the both of you would scream along to the lyrics of Ang Huling El Bimbo by Eraserheads while in traffic. On your way to BGC, both of you were surprised to see Maliksi and his significant by the stoplight, taking the advantage of the long-ass stop to chat with the Prince of the Tikbalangs and his fiancé. Your conversation was cut short when the stoplight had changed from red to green, saying your goodbyes to each other as Basilio drove away to your very first destination, which was none other than XYLO at The Palace.

  In all honesty, you’ve heard about this bar but it was the first time you got to enter the place itself. The both of you got lucky that the place wasn’t as packed and that you got there early before the actual party had started. Both you and Basilio then made your way over to the bar to grab your first drinks of the night. The two of you chatted for a while, occasionally nodding your heads to the beat of the song. After a while, the night seemed to kick in and both of you were already at what seemed to be your 3rd or 4th bar of the night, this time you and Basilio were jumping up and down to DJ Khalid’s song ‘All I Do Is Win’ before the both of you screamed along with the rest of the patrons, “Putang Ina, Alak Pa!”  and time seemed to flow faster than ever as you and your loving boyfriend went in and about around BGC’s classiest bars, downing every single drink you two could manage and take or even dance along to the songs the bars provided while occasionally sharing a kiss here and there, not minding the reek of alcohol and sweat clinging on each other’s bodies as the two of you laughed.

 Sometime around 10:30, you and Basilio were shitfaced to oblivion but both of you were used to it. You had lost count on how many drinks you’ve managed to down yet you and Basilio couldn’t care less, you were certain that you heard your phones ring but you two never got the chance to answer them because Basilio was busy doing body shots on you or you making out with your boyfriend in some hidden corner of the bar. You were starting to get the hint that after your little make-out session at Club Haze, he was focused on one thing and you knew what that meant, despite being inebriated out of your wits. So what do you do? Put on a show for him of course.

 You knew Basilio was sitting by the bar because you told him you were going to use the bathroom to freshen up a little bit since the club felt a little bit humid. What he didn’t expect was you sashaying over to where the dance floor, the last notes of Nelly Furtado’s Maneater fading away only to be replaced by Doja Cat’s Streets. To you, the sound seemed to have slowed down and you weren’t sure because it was the alcohol’s effects taking over, nobody else in the club mattered but your boyfriend alone.  The figures around you seemed to blur and Basilio was the only one you had your eyes on as your body moved to the beat, eyes half-lidded and lips slightly parted, and even from afar, you could see your demi-god of a boyfriend shuffle in his seat, his cheeks brightly flushed even under the lights of the dark club (yes, Basilio even tried to hide his raging boner from everyone but he was failing miserably). You knew that he was watching you closely like a predator ready to strike and even from afar you can tell that he was getting impatient with your games and that made you smirk. You knew that Basilio had a thing for Semi-Public sex and your several other experiences with him were proof of that, hell the two of you almost got caught one time and you were internally thankful that you weren’t. But tonight, Basilio’s going to abide by the rules of your own game and not his.

The opening bass beat from Beyonce’s Yonce/Partition was your cue to take things up a notch by making your way over to the bar where you had stood upon the counter (you had asked the bartender and the rest of the patrons who hung around the bar save for Basilio in advance and they seemed to agree with it just as long as you were careful) and made your way down the counter, hips sashaying and your body with every beat and drop before stopping to where he was, a smirk on your face, your hands running up from your thighs and right past your chest in a sensual manner, leaning in just so you could ghost your lips over Basilio’s eagerly waiting ones before pulling away with a wink. Once your little show was done and you had gone down from your counter with the help of the bartender you had just spoken to before making your way over to the dance floor once more to dance just as your song, She’s My Collar by Gorillaz began to play only to be caught short when you felt a hand grab you by the wrist.

Despite being drunk you were still smart and quick to retaliate towards whoever had grabbed you only to be surprised to be looking right directly at your boyfriend’s dark obsidian gaze, his breath slow and ragged and you knew you were in it for real this time the moment he said, “We’re leaving.” In a tone, you’ve never heard from him before and that seemed to send shivers and chills up your spine as he dragged you away from the bar to head right outside.

Honestly, the whole trip back to the car seemed to pass you by like a blur, you would occasionally stumble on your own feet, which prompted Basilio to sling you over his shoulder like you were nothing but a sack of potatoes (at least it gave you a perfect view of his ass). The moment you arrived at your car, however, you were thrown haphazardly into the backseat after Basilio had unlocked the door with ease and then entered the vehicle as well, quickly pulling you up on his lap where he locked his lips with you in a heated kiss, hands roaming around your body with such need and you could feel his erection straining against the fabric of his dark jeans. You were surprised at first but once the initial shock and surprise had worn off, you kissed him back as well with the same passion and need that he emulated from his kiss, your fingers and hands made a quick undo of his man-bun and top, hastily unbuttoning them, eager to touch the skin underneath it and leave marks on it. Basilio could only groan in response to your touches, his tongue exploring your mouth like uncharted territory, his hands groping your behind with such force that made you moan out his name, a quiet hiss of “Tangina.” Soon followed your surprise.

 In your mayhem of desire and lust, you didn’t notice Basilio play Chase Atlantic’s song Devilish on the radio.

 Clothes were thrown around and about in the space of the car and in that blur of clothing being discarded around, you were honestly surprised when Basilio had lifted up your lower half towards him, his lips trailing kisses down your stomach and thighs before his head disappeared in between your legs, bestowing you the best oral you’ve ever had received from him in your years of dating. You couldn’t thrash around with him holding you so tightly against his face as he went down on you but your hands were free to roam and tug at his long silken locks, his name spoken like a prayer  and just as you were about to reach your peak, he had pulled away from you, a sadistic yet innocent smirk placed upon his now glistening chin and lips coated in your slick as he spoke, “Not yet, babe.”  Winking at you, he gingerly set you down before he leaned over to where his now discarded jeans were as he pulled out his wallet, fishing out a condom and a small pack of lube for him to use. Once the foil was open and the rubber was on his already hard dick, he then proceeded to open the pack of lube, rubbing it on his length before instructing you to get on your hands and your ass up for him.

 And by Bathala you began to see stars the moment he had entered you. Your nails seemed to dig on the dark leather surface of the car’s upholstery, your back arched to the extreme and you were certain that you could feel Basilio trailing kisses along the expanse of your neck, shoulders, and back, his hands guiding you on his length while yours snaked around to reach for him, tilting your head sidewards to catch his lips in an open-mouthed kiss, his manhood still relentless at fucking you senseless and in between the thrusts and moans, you were thankful that the windows were tinted from the outside or else the two of you would’ve been caught. Throughout the whole night, you two spent it by doing it on every single surface inside the car, doing every single position the two of you could think of, taking each other to new heights with every pose the two of you did, and yes, let’s just say you were sore the morning after that.

 Once the morning came around, the two of you were still naked and you were sure that after your last round with your loving boyfriend, you felt the waves of your hang-over wash over you like a wave, making you groan out in pain. Everything was sore with you and your body was littered with hickies, bruises, and scratch marks while Basilio, who had his healing factor with him thanks to his demi-god status, was relatively unscathed but he did have some hickies of his own to present to the world. Shuffling, you gently nudged Basilio awake as you spoke, “Babe, anong oras na??”

 At your action, your boyfriend, still groggy from sleep, could only groan at this, his hand reaching out to search for his mobile phone to check the time. Squinting, he then saw the time on his phone but the color on his face seemed to drain the moment he saw several missed calls and messages from his twin brother and the Babaylan-Mandirigma herself. “SHIT!” Basilio managed to cry out of sheer panic, his head accidentally hitting against the roof of the car, making him hiss even more, hands holding the spot where he had hit his head. “Lagot tayo kay Bossing, (Y/N), kagabi pa niya tayo tinatwagan kasama ni Kuya Crispin.” At the mere mention of Alex and Crispin’s name, you seemed to understand the sense of urgency before the two of you began to clean up the car, dressing up as you did so, attempting to make yourselves look more presentable and cover the tracks from yesterday’s events. Once done, Basilio was driving like a speeding madman in a rush to head back where his brother and Alex were at.

 It took him at least an hour to arrive at their destination with Alex taking the role as today’s designated driver while Basilio sat in the back with his brother. “San ba kayo galing? Kagabi pa namin kayo tinatawagan ni Crispin, (Y/N), Basilio. Ano ba nangyare, ha?” Alex spoke, her eyes flickering over to where Basilio was, sheepishly scratching the back of his head as he spoke, “Sensya na ho, Bossing. Nag-sight seeing kasi kami ni (Y/N) kagabi tas nag-bar hoping kami tas pagkatapos nakatulog kami dito sa kotse.” A little doubtful of this, Alex could only glance at you from the corner of her eye, expecting for you to react but you held your emotions close to your heart as you spoke, “Totoo po yung sinasabi ni Basilio, bossing. Di po naming sadya na di kayo replyan ni Crispin. Di na po mauulit.” Nodding, Alex then excused the both of you and the car ride was silent, save for the fact that the radio was playing Last Friday Night by Katy Perry. You did feel a little bit cold however and you couldn’t help the fact that something was missing until Crispin screamed out in surprise, horror, and disgust, finally noticing the thing you were missing. Ah shit. “TANGINA BASILIO, ANO TO!?!?!” Crispin managed to yell out, holding up your lace underwear for everyone in the car to see with Basilio quickly snatching the piece of clothing away from his brother, tucking it in his pocket before he responded, “ANONG-ANO KA DIYAN KUYA!?! WALA KANG NAKITA!!”

You silently prayed to Bathala for him to forgive you but you were sure as hell Alex won’t. You made a mental note to not ever do it in the car you guys use for missions ever again.

[randomoranges]

Birthday

 Edward let out a frustrated sigh and crumpled the piece of paper he had been brainstorming on. It seemed the end of the school year had really killed off all remaining working brain cells, for he had spent the better part of the past three days trying to come up with something he could do for Étienne’s birthday. He knew he should have started thinking about it earlier, but between his exams, getting ready to graduate and trying not to freak out over his parents flying in for his graduation, trying to find a future job and not knowing in what city he would be living in come the end of summer, he had put off Étienne’s birthday until now.

He still had a lot of time to think about it – or at least, that’s what he liked telling himself to calm down, but time was running out and he still had no idea what to do for Étienne’s birthday. On top of that, this was going to be the first time he was actually going to be in town for his boyfriend’s birthday, it could potentially be the only time he would be in town for his boyfriend’s birthday (he hoped not, but he still didn’t know where he would be next year – and now was not the time to freak out over that) and therefore, he wanted to do something special for his boyfriend’s birthday. Especially since Étienne had always, without fault, gone out of his way to make Edward’s birthdays special, from the moment Edward had moved in, some four years ago.

Edward had asked Étienne what he would like to do for his special day and if there was anything specific he wanted as a gift, but apparently Étienne was part of those annoying people who responded with the ever vague and unhelpful “surprise me” and “I just want to spend time with you” and “anything that comes from you would be great”. Edward tried pushing for a clearer answer, but Étienne turned even vaguer, if that could be possible. Therefore, Edward attempted to make a list of anything and everything that he could do and give his boyfriend for his birthday and came up empty handed. Edward wanted to do something special – he wanted to take Étienne out, spoil him rotten, but even after four years in the city; Edward wasn’t as well versed in the Montreal scene as his boyfriend was. It was always Étienne who found the new in-terasse or up and coming bar or restaurant. Étienne had a sixth sense for these things and Edward didn’t just want to take Étienne to one of his favourite restaurants either. It felt too simple. It had to be special or so help him.

Then, there was the problem of the actual gift. In an ideal perfect world, Edward would have all the money he could dream of and he could get Étienne anything and everything his heart desired. Realistically, however, he had a budget and his boyfriend was hard-ish to gift for. Étienne preferred giving gifts to others instead of getting them, he didn’t need any clothes or accessories (and was a sharp dresser that Edward wasn’t even sure he could try and match), he had very clear interests, but the problem was that Edward didn’t feel he could competently get him something related to those interests.

It’s the thought that matters, Murphy, He reminded himself, but as much as he could get some newly released jazz album, Edward wanted it to be a thoughtful gift that was meaningful and not just something that would look like Edward found it last minute Because He Had To. He even thought of getting Étienne some art supplies, but the problem was that he didn’t know what Étienne was low on, didn’t really know what he preferred using, and felt like just getting art supplies for the sake of art supplies was lame. He tried asking Étienne and had poked around his art bin to see, but that little venture had left him more confused than anything else. On top of that, he felt like everyone else would get Étienne art supplies or a gift card to one of the art stores, because that’s what regular friends got, but Edward liked to believe he wasn’t just some regular friend. Hell, Emma had already planned an entire day of things to do with Étienne. Élyse and Étienne had their own birthday-brunch ritual. He had to have something worthwhile as Étienne’s boyfriend.

He knew he was making this more difficult than it had to be, but Étienne deserved to be treated right for his birthday.

Therefore, when finally he couldn’t think of anything else, Edward did the only last logical thing he could think of; he contacted Élyse.

Edward wasn’t sure anymore how it had come about, but sometime between his first Christmas visit at the Maisonneuve household and his second, Élyse sent him a friend request and Edward approved of it, never expecting that he would eventually find himself exchanging actual messages with her that didn’t always have to do with Étienne. With time, he got to know Élyse and realised that she was quite funny, a good conversationalist and a genuinely nice person and on such an occasion, a really good resource for his current dilemma. He would have contacted Emma, but he still couldn’t fully read her and he didn’t want to look like a terrible, ungrateful, unworthy boyfriend. (Because he knew, deep down, that Emma was very protective of Étienne and that she would crucify him if Étienne had a subpar birthday due to his negligence or stupidity.)

Edward: Help?

El Ma: What’s up?

Edward: I don’t know what to get your brother for his birthday :( and he’s being annoyingly vague

El Ma: You realise you can get him like a pair of socks with lobsters on them and he would adore them

Edward: Ugh. I know. But I want something…. Nicer than socks? I want to do something special?

El Ma: Make him dinner?

Edward: I make him dinner often enough.

El Ma: Take him out to dinner? To a club? A bar? A terasse? A show?

Edward: But it has to be somewhere nice/different/special and I don’t know wheeeeereeeeeeeee. Plus, you’re going to brunch with him in the morning-ish, your folks invited us with the family over the weekend for your joint birthday dinner, his friends are already taking him out to something the weekend before and Emma reserved all of Friday. H e l p m e .

El Ma: Omg. This is it. This is the proof. This is why the two of you are perfect for each other.

Edward: ?

El Ma: You’re both idiots.

Edward: Hey!

Edward: I resent that.

El Ma: Truth hurts, loverboy. It doesn’t have to be this complicated. Like I’m dying over how the both of you just keep trying to like Go Out of the Way when you both just want to spend time with each other. Like rent a movie and make popcorn and then do what you do afterwards.

Edward: >:[ Edward: Also you don’t have to make our movie nights sound so unsexy. El Ma: Honestly, the fact you have movie nights is endearing, if a little lame, but like I think you make a cute pair, so I won’t judge. And also, I don’t want to know what happens afterwards and having lived all my life with Étienne is enough TMI, thanks. I don’t know how you share a room with him. Then again, I suppose there’s a difference between sister and boyfriend. Ha.

El Ma: ANYWAYS – Just like combine two of the things he loves together.

Edward: ?? I don’t speak Maisonneuve, Élyse.

El Ma: Étienne loves jazz. He loves going out. He loves doing anything with you. Take him to one of those restaurants that has live jazz shows.

Edward: … THOSE ARE A THING?!

El Ma: Wait – you’ve been dating my brother for HOW LONG and you didn’t EVEN KNOW?! Are you sure you’re even dating him????? Edward: He never even mentioned them! How was I supposed to know?!

El Ma: I’m judging you SO HARD. And also LAUGHING SO MUCH. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA WOW. YOU DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THERE WERE RESTAURANTS THAT HAVE LIVE JAZZ SHOWS. I CAN’T BREATHE. WHAT ROCK HAS ÉTIENNE KEPT YOU UNDER OMG.

Edward: You’re officially the meanest Maisonneuve twin.

El Ma: You mean the Best.

Edward: Pretty sure I said the meanest.

El Ma: Buddy boy, you wish I was. ;)

El Ma: Anyways, there’s a whole bunch of them. Like I just googled this shit and I found out about like 3 I didn’t even know existed. So, you’re welcome.

Edward: Thanks – I think. I feel like this will come with a price, but I appreciate your help. I’ll see you this weekend and happy birthday in advance as well!

El Ma: I expect cake, Murphy. I like orange cake.

Edward: Like I said, #worstmaisonneuvetwin

El Ma: ;) In your dreams! See you this weekend!

With that taken care of, Edward did his own research and looked into each of the restaurants he found. He needed one that offered shows on the evening of Étienne’s birthday, and not just over the weekend, and after eliminating two from the list, he finally settled for the fourth one. The jazz bands at this one played their original songs, the menu seemed interesting and the overall price was more or less within his budget – he made himself a note to call for a reservation tomorrow and then tackled his next two dilemmas; what to get Étienne as a gift and what to make him as a cake.

--

On the morning of May 17th, Étienne’s birthday played out the following way; Étienne woke up to gentle sunlight filtering in through his bedroom window and to Edward Murphy rubbing his back. When Étienne came to and realised that his boyfriend was here, in Montreal, with him, for his birthday, he launched himself into Edward’s arms and hugged him tightly, already declaring it the best birthday ever. Étienne set his mind on spending the entire day with Edward, here in his room, exchanging kisses and holding Edward in his arms, until Edward reminded him that he had brunch plans with Élyse. Étienne brushed him off with another kiss and told him that Élyse could wait a little. This was the first time he had Edward for his birthday, after all, and there was no guarantee this would happen ever again. Edward indulged in Étienne’s attention, unable to say no to him when he flashed that brilliant smile of his that made his heart skip several beats, and it was all worth it, even if Étienne did end up being a little late, and even if Élyse mocked him through text messages for a good part of the morning, while she waited for said brother.

With Étienne off to brunch with his sister, (an old tradition they had since they were sixteen, where they took each other out for brunch for their birthday and paid for one another’s meal, which Edward thought was endearing and sweet,) Edward had the whole kitchen to himself to bake Étienne’s birthday cake. He hesitated between trying something new or going for something tried and tested, and eventually settled for a type of cake he knew Étienne enjoyed (he was not about to repeat the pineapple fiasco again, thank you very much). Once the cake was in the oven and the timer was set, Edward wrapped up Étienne’s gift – a gift card to the art store – he had finally given up on finding something useful and thoughtful and figured that he’d heard Étienne complain enough about being low on everything that he could use it towards that – and finally, he sat at the kitchen table to write Étienne’s birthday card.

While the cake cooled, Edward showered and dressed, figuring he might as well be ready for when Étienne returned so that they could save some time before their dinner reservations. He knew Étienne would probably end up spending the better part of the afternoon with his sister and since he had been vague about what the plans for the evening were; Étienne would probably want to change as well before heading out.

To be honest, Edward was a little nervous about this evening. He was afraid that Étienne wouldn’t like it, that the food wouldn’t meet his approval, that the jazz band wouldn’t be good and that Étienne wouldn’t like his gift. Edward logically knew that none of this would happen, and that even if all of his fears came true, Étienne would still appreciate the thought Edward had put into the evening, but he still couldn’t help himself as he nervously fidgeted while he waited for Étienne to return.

His boyfriend returned, late in the afternoon, smile on his face, in a good mood. Étienne was pleased to find that Edward was still here – that he hadn’t hallucinated him this morning and that he had him to himself for the rest of his birthday. His face lit up when Edward told him he was taking him out for dinner and that he should change into something nice. Étienne tried to get Edward to shower with him, but as much as Edward was tempted, he knew Étienne would be carried away and he really didn’t want to miss out on their reservations.

Étienne emerged from the washroom a while later, dressed in his nice fitting beige trousers and one of his many short-sleeved button down shirts that Edward liked so much; he looked good and happy, and Edward couldn’t really take his eyes off him. He was rewarded with a brilliant smile and Edward sincerely hoped he could be the cause of many more. “Are we ready to go?” Étienne nodded and Edward made sure he had his wallet and keys, before they stepped out. “You still won’t tell me where you’re taking me?” Étienne asked as he linked his arm with Edward’s. “It’s a surprise – you’ll see when we get there.” Étienne mock pouted, but Edward rolled his eyes, fond, slowly turning immune to some of Étienne’s tactics, “It won’t be a surprise if I tell you.” Étienne dropped the subject for now and instead launched into a recap of his day with Élyse, while they walked towards the métro.

--

“Oh! I’ve been here before!” Étienne had the misfortune of saying when Edward led them down the street to the restaurant. Edward’s face fell and thoughts of a previous Significant Other taking Étienne here for a special occasion flooded his head. What if Étienne still held fond memories of that time? What if he hadn’t liked it? What if it brought back terrible memories? “You have?” Edward recovered, trying not to sound too disappointed, but something in his tone must have given him away, for Étienne’s expression changed to one of slight worry, “It was ages ago, though! My grandparents took El and I here for our fifteenth birthday. I’ve never been since – honest!” He defended, trying to reassure Edward.

Edward was silently relieved and let out a chuckle, realising how absurd this all was, “It’s fine – so long as you don’t tell me you got terrible food poisoning here and never wanted to come back,” Étienne assured him that it wasn’t the case and that he’d had a lovely time, actually. “Although, I have to ask, why did you never take me to one of these jazz bars, or clubs, or restaurants?” He asked and Étienne shrugged, “Jazz was never really your thing – or at least, your interest in it has never been as big – didn’t think you would enjoy it as much or that you’d want to. Plus, it’s not like there’s a lack of things to do around the city.”

Edward supposed he had a point. “You still could have asked.” He reprimanded gently and Étienne promised him he would in the future. With that taken care of, Edward pushed open the door and led his beau inside, amused by Étienne’s excited chatter as he made one comment after the next about the décor and related his experience from almost a decade ago.

The waiter walked them over to their table – “the best table you have available” Edward had asked – and handed them their menus, “Order whatever you want, my treat,” Edward told him, making Étienne grimace, “And you can’t bribe the waiter or sneak off to “go to the washroom” to actually pay – I’ve already taken care of it – it’s your birthday after all.”

Edward had fallen for Étienne’s sneaky tricks too many times and knew better by now – or, at least, he thought he did, but Étienne was always full of surprises. “Okay, but have you even seen the prices on this menu?! No wonder I never came back! Ed, this is expensive.” Edward shrugged. Yes, the food was a little out of their usual budget, but it was Étienne’s birthday. The first one they were celebrating together. Maybe even the last. And for the number of times that Étienne had spoiled him and picked up the tab… He was good for it. “Don’t worry about it, okay? Just don’t get dessert – that’s at home.”

The diversion took Étienne’s mind off the price of the food and he returned to perusing the menu, making an occasional comment. By the time they received their appetizers, the jazz band that would be playing for the evening was warming up and Étienne was already completely enthralled to the point where Edward gently nudged him with his foot to remind him to eat. “Can we stay ‘til the end of the show?” Étienne asked, his eyes still on the small stage a few feet away from them, his attention going from one musician to the next, drinking in their sight and their instruments, “Of course – we can stay as long as you want.” Étienne beamed and Edward’s heart tripped over itself at the sight all over again.

By the time the show started, Étienne had more or less finished with his food and Edward didn’t even try to stop him from turning his chair completely around so that he could face the group and pay full attention to them. When the waiter returned to clear the table, Étienne moved his chair to the end of the table and motioned for Edward to do the same, so that they could sit side by side and watch the performance together. The moment Edward was seated, Étienne moved next to him and snuggled up to his side, taking a hold of Edward’s arm and leaned his head on his boyfriend’s shoulder.

Edward spared a look for Étienne and noticed how utterly content and happy he looked. It was a good look on him. Étienne seemed relaxed and at peace with himself and the world. Edward loved seeing him this way and knew he would move heaven and earth to make sure Étienne always looked this way – that nothing would cause him harm.

“I love you,” Étienne whispered to him, taking him off guard from his musings, above the sound of the violin and the piano; the words resonated in his ears much as the last few notes of the clarinet and his heart stilled for a fraction of a moment, filling at the sound of the words, before it started again. He reached for Étienne’s hand, gave it a gentle squeeze, and they remained that way, seated side by side, for the rest of the show, immersing themselves in the music.

--

When they returned back home, Edward excused himself for a moment and went to retrieve the carefully decorated birthday cake, which he lit up with exactly twenty-four candles (and one un-lit candle – for good luck) and retrieved Étienne’s gift and the card he had written to go along with it. He brought everything to the kitchen table, where Étienne eagerly awaited and his boyfriend was quick to take multiple pictures of the cake, while Edward gently reminded him to make a wish and blow out the candles before they melted all over the cake.

(Étienne made his wish and wished that he could have this every year, with Edward by his side, before he blew out the candles.)

“You know, you didn’t have to go through all this trouble,” Étienne reminded him, after he read the very nice and very thoughtful card Edward wrote him, “But I appreciate it nonetheless, thank you, Eddy,” He added once he opened his gift. Étienne then took the knife and sliced off two pieces of cake, before he licked off the frosting from his fingers and the knife. Edward felt his cheeks flush slightly and he stammered out a fumbled “It was nothing, you’re welcome,” when Étienne went up to him to hug him and tenderly kiss his cheek.

They ate the cake in relative silence, safe for the occasional exclamation from Étienne who praised every single bite (and the second piece he went for) and Edward was glad his boyfriend seemed to be enjoying it – glad Étienne seemed to have had a nice birthday. If this would be the only one they spent together, then at least it had been a good one.

--

The following year, with Edward still in town, Edward asked Étienne what he wanted to do for his birthday and Étienne told him that what they had done the previous year was perfect. Edward made sure it really was what Étienne wanted and with time, it became a tradition of sorts.

Every year, without fault, Edward made cake for Étienne, got him a gift card from the arts supply store and took him out for dinner and a jazz show.

Edward feared, with time, that Étienne would grow tired of the predictability of the day – that Étienne, who thrived on new experiences and discovering new places, would come to grow bored of the jazz show and dinner, but Étienne assured him each and every time that it was what he wanted – that the menu could change, that he could order something different, and that at the very least, the band would be different – that as long as they could spend time together, he was happy.

And with time, Edward realised that as much as his boyfriend did indeed enjoy spontaneous, new, and exciting discoveries, deep down, he also craved for stability and that as long as he knew he had this one recurring thing with Edward, anything else would be fine. Even when Edward threw him a surprise birthday party for thirty-fifth, he still took Étienne to dinner, knowing his boyfriend looked forward to it every year – and honestly, so did he.

--

“You know, I was thinking, now that I know when your birthday is, maybe we should go out to dinner? My treat? I walked by this interesting looking restaurant the other day – and get this, they play live jazz almost every single night.”