Work Text:
Another day came to an end as evening fell.
The sun was setting over Night Vale, rolling down past the sand dunes of the desert and casting a long blade of orange and gold light through the blankest of darkness that had fallen over the town.
Clouds rolled across the sky, parting ways for the stars that would soon emerge.
The town was silent, no sound echoed through the streets. There were no dogs barking at the hooded figure. No mysterious sounds creeping from the gates of the Dog Park. No unholy screeching coming from unknown creatures that resided in the sand wastes.
The sleepy citizens of Night Vale sat soundlessly in their homes. Old Woman Josie continued to knit with angels, she had done not much else the whole day and John Peters, you know, the farmer, was slumped on an old rocking chair, his hat laying over his closed, restful eyes and a book splayed, face down on his lap (he had planned on reading for at least an hour, but after reading exactly one page he had gotten bored and fallen asleep).
Carlos sat, calmly, in the living room. He was resting comfortably on a small, grey sofa.
His legs were tucked beside him in a kind curl, one on top of the other. His head was resting against his fist as he stared dreamily at the radio beside him.
He stared at the small, brown box covered in speakers and buttons. He stared at it with a loving smile and a distant look in his eyes as he was teleported to a world of memories, there was a longing in his eyes, a joyful, affectionate reminiscence. He sighed, happily to himself.
Cecil was in the kitchen.
It was his turn to make dinner tonight. Cecil wasn’t the best at cooking, he wasn’t even good at it at all really and his meals usually fell short compared to Carlos’, but Carlos never complained; he ate the food graciously and Cecil never stopped trying his best to make the perfect meal for the scientist.
That night Cecil had decided to make something easy, something that he knew was both so simple that he couldn’t possibly mess it up and so delicious that it would bring a smile to Carlos’ face.
He had cracked four eggs into a frying pan and sprinkled herbs and all of Carlos’ favourite vegetables and toppings on top before folding it into an omelette. He beamed at his creation as it cooked, imagining the pleasure that this simple meal could bring.
So far it hadn’t burned and Cecil was determined to keep it that way, he was resolute to keep the food looking as perfect as it did now.
He watched it closely. Nothing could pry him away from his sacred duty of not letting Carlos’ food burn.
“Cecil!” Carlos called from the living room. “Could you come here for a moment?” Well, almost nothing could pry him away, Carlos was probably the only thing that could distract him.
Cecil turned off the stove, watching as the small, blue flame extinguished before hurrying from the kitchen and into the living room.
Cecil smiled when he saw Carlos, perfect Carlos.
He looked so calm and happy and beautiful, so so beautiful.
Cecil let out an involuntary sigh, Carlos was the most gorgeous person he had ever seen.
Carlos turned and smiled at Cecil.
Cecil’s heart fluttered, he wondered if his heart would ever stop leaping at the sight of Carlos’ smile, he hoped it never would.
“What’s up?” Cecil asked and Carlos shifted his body so he could face Cecil properly. Carlos took one more glance at the radio.
“I just wanted to say thank you.” Carlos said.
Cecil’s brow furrowed. “Thank me? For what?” Cecil said with a laugh.
“Everything you said...” Carlos replied.
Cecil looked down to the floor, deep in thought.
“What exactly did I say?” He asked, with slight nervousness. “What do you mean?”
“I just wanted to say that I found what you said on the radio really sweet…” Carlos smiled.
“I...wh-what I said? On th-the radio?” Cecil said, clearly flustered and confused.
“Yeah...you know like when I first arrived and when we went on our first date…” Carlos explained.
It suddenly clicked. Cecil’s cheeks grew red, his eyes widened and his jaw dropped in shocked disbelief.
“You-you heard that!? You actually listened to that!?” Cecil exclaimed.
Carlos nodded.
Cecil’s face turned a deep red, he could feel how hot his cheeks were, it felt like his heart was beating so fast it was going to explode.
“It was really sweet.” Carlos said.
Cecil buried his face in his hands and shook his head.
“I didn’t think you heard that.” He said, his voice muffled through his hands.
Carlos laughed, a kind, loving laugh.
Cecil looked back up, unburying his face from his hands. He looked at the smile on Carlos’ face and somehow he flushed even more.
“You heard all of that!? Like, all of it!? You-You listened to that!?”
“Yeah!” Carlos said with a giggle. “Yeah I did.”
“But you never-I never-You didn’t-I didn’t...I...Wh...I didn’t think you listened to my station!”
Carlos beamed. “Of course I did. Everyone did...but um…” He paused. “I used to pretend I found it annoying but whenever I got home I would turn on the radio just to listen to you talk.” Carlos blushed slightly as he said it. “And I just realised that I never told you how nice it was...it was just so sweet and you always made me feel so...good and I never thanked you for that so I thought I’d do it now.”
“Umm...uh huh…” Cecil said, awkwardly, his heart was racing and he was so flustered that those were the only words he could muster.
Carlos stood up and walked over to Cecil, who was staring at him, unblinking and embarrassed. Carlos put Cecil’s hands in his. Carlos looked into Cecil’s violet eyes and Cecil looked back into Carlos’ hazel pools.
“I love you.” Carlos whispered. He stroked Cecil’s cheek gently and kissed him delicately on the lips. “I’ll go set the table.” He said, softly before walking into the dining room and starting to set the table with a fluttering heart.
Cecil stood and stared at the radio. His eyes were wide and shocked but slowly a weak, loving smile crept along his face, his eyes softened. He took a deep breath and left the room with a spring in his step.
He felt so lucky and loved and happy and excited.
He had the best boyfriend in the world.