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It was like any other day. Aesop woke up to an empty bed since Naib went out to do his morning workout. As he dragged himself out of bed he found a warm cup of coffee on the kitchen table and mentally made a note to thank his beloved for this again. As he drank the coffee, which was just as he liked it, he took a post-it note and wrote a simple “Thank you love” on it and attached it to the cup before taking the last sip out of it.
Afterward, he simply went to dress up and took the car keys to drive to work, where he would spend the next hours embalming corpses like he always did.
Naib on the other hand would come back to the house after his morning run and add a heart to the note as he switches its place to the fridge from the cup and washes it. Then he quickly takes a shower and goes to the gym, where he is a personal trainer, and ends up coming home in the evening, still before Aesop gets there.
He then proceeds to make them a pretty late dinner as he thinks of a movie they should watch before eventually falling asleep cuddling.
At least that was their plan and routine. Not this time though.
Naib after making dinner and awaiting Aesop’s arrival nervously played with his hands, he might have made an impulsive purchase of certain tickets for a certain boat. But who can blame him when they were pretty cheap and they offered a midnight cruise through the river? Which also coincidentally reminds him of their first date. There were way too many reasons for him to buy it, that he possibly might have forgotten to mention it to Aesop.
Not that Aesop blamed him.
When he arrived at a ready-made dinner he first got to Naib giving him a chaste kiss on the lips.
-I’m home- he whispered and moved away to sit next to Naib.
-Welcome home dear.- Naib gave him smile, which was quite obviously hiding some nervousness.
Aesop pleased, not noticing the anxiety behind his smile looked at the fridge where his note would still be and chuckled.
Naib was glad Aesop gave him the privilege of letting him hear this sound daily.
It wasn’t until halfway into dinner that Naib finally brought up the subject.
-So, Aesop- His husband twitched at the words, while they did usually talk during dinner this tone of voice was unusual.- I might have prepared something for us.
At those words, Aesop looked up confused.
-Prepared us… What?- he questioned.- Please don’t tell me we are rewatching another old movie.- Aesop’s face showed something between disappointment and disgust. And it was enough to have Naib laugh-out-loud.
-No, no, no- he tried stifling his laugh,- Don’t worry it’s not that, I still remember the last time we did it.
Aesop’s face softened and he smiled, this man was troublesome sometimes. But, he is his trouble to deal with and he wouldn’t trade him for anyone else.
-So what is it?- he asked finishing his dinner and standing up to get the dishes to do it for both of them.
-Why don’t we walk and find out?- He gazed at his husband as if he was the most beautiful view he has ever seen.
-Walk?- Aesop murmured before coming back to his husband staring at him expectantly.
Naib realized that he has yet to give Aesop his well-deserved cuddles.
-Yeah, would you mind if we walked somewhere?- he whispered as he hugged his lover closely and felt Aesop leaning on him fully.-You’re gonna crush me if you keep this up, love.
-We both know that’s not true, you are strong enough to keep yourself up, my beloved.- he muffled into Naib’s hair.- And, about the walk, I would love to, some activity and fresh air will be nice.
Naib chucked and reached into his pocket to make sure the tickets were still in there, and after he made sure they are he took Aesop’s hand and proceeded to lead him out of their house.
Aesop made sure to take the keys before Naib could take him wherever he wanted and made sure to close the doors before they leave.
And Naib of course was already waiting to drag him towards the river, he couldn’t wait to show his lover the surprise, it made him feel as if they were young once again and not a middle-aged couple living happily together.
-It’s been 15 years already wasn’t it?- Aesop asked Naib catching him off guard.- That we were married for, you know…
-I know Aes- He grabbed his hand tighter and smiled.- It was, we are getting old like this.
-But we are together and that’s what matters truly, doesn’t it?- he mused- I can’t imagine my life without you in it.
Naib just softly looked at him.
-Neither can I-the shorter man then proceeded to speed up slightly when he saw the river in the distance.
Before Aesop noticed what was happening they were already on board the ship, which was rocking still near the coast.
They didn’t live near the sea so that meant only one thing, it was just a short boat trip around the river. And yet there were some tears in his eyes.
-It’s just like our first date…- Aesop looked at Naib and hugged him.- You thought of that yourself?
-Well…- he smiled sheepishly- I noticed an ad for this and thought back to everything and thought you might like it.
Aesop chuckled, not to disrupt other couples on board too much.
-Of course, I love this!- he smiled at Naib and kissed him, and oh.
Oh.
He should do more things like that to surprise Aesop if this is the reaction he is gonna get each time.
It felt as if he was falling in love all over again.
-How come I got that much of an amazing husband just for myself?- Aesop asked while Naib led them to sit down at a bench nearby.
-Well, You got me and I got you, that was the whole deal, love.- he moved enough to lean on Aesop while the boat started to leave and slowly drift.
The taller man then snaked his arm around Naib’s waist and kept him close to himself. The evening was warm which was not unsurprising, it was the middle of the summer after all, so there was no need to hide inside or to put something on, their clothes gave them plenty of warmth.
And as usual, they didn’t need words to understand each other. Aesop just takes in the sighs, thriving in Naib’s presence as the other man cuddles closer so that the attention is still somewhat on him.
It was much better than their usual movie nights, Aesop concluded. Nothing could compare to the feeling of remembering their first date on such a fine night. Honestly, his mood probably couldn’t get any better.
-I love you, you know that Aes?-Naib murmured and closed his eyes, he might be a little bit tired. Just a tiny bit.
-Love you too, dearest.-he pressed a kiss to Naib’s forehead and buried his face in his hair.
They stayed like this for a while. It was peaceful and comforting, who could blame them?
Naib soon convinced Aesop to stand up, they couldn’t just waste the entire trip sitting together, however tempting it was, they needed to actually enjoy the sights.
As his husband dragged him closer to the edge of the boat and the view was absolutely stunning, even more from here than from where they were sitting.
-It’s amazing isn’t it, Aesop?- he just stared right back at his husband.
-It really is.- the way the city shone brightly still so full of life at this hour
baffled him, but at the same time amazed him.
They slowly started walking alongside the board and Aesop made sure to hold Naib’s hand tightly, he could never get enough of this soft affection from his husband whenever he could.
And how could Naib ever refuse him? He held his hand and just listened to the sounds of other couples whispering and the water rocking the boat slowly, it felt nice like this, to be on an actual date with Aesop after such a long time.
-Why didn’t we do this sooner?- Naib asked- I didn’t even realize how much I missed going on dates with you so much.
-You mean our everyday date nights aren’t enough?- Aesop poked his arm.- You are getting sentimental old man.
-Oh I am so sorry, I’m not that old - he rolled his eyes- You are just two years younger.
Aesop just shook his head and leaned more on Naib.
-Each year reminds me of how much more I love you.- he took Naib’s hand and lifted it to look at their wedding bands. - I think I’m also getting a little sentimental.
Naib pressed a kiss to the hand that was lifting his hand. To which Aesop smiled and his gaze softened even more.
-Maybe we both are getting old.-At this it was Aesop’s turn to roll his eyes.- You said so yourself, you are feeling just like I am.
-Maybe.-he took his wedding band in his hands and played with it.-Maybe a little bit.
But it was soon that they had to step back on solid ground Aesop just held Naib’s hand and walked back home fully satisfied by the evening, their date night out was a big success.
-Still wanna watch a movie, my love?- Naib asked opening the doors to their home, at which Aesop just sighed.
-’m tired, but I can still watch a movie with you as long as I get cuddles. Naib’s eyes softened and he kissed his forehead.
-Anything you want baby.- he moved to make a room on the sofa and as soon as he put on one of the movies in his collection, one of his favorites, he felt a familiar weight on his body.
He smiled at that and covered them both with a blanket.
Aesop didn’t say much usually and neither did he need to now as they entangled with the blanket and hugged each other they felt at peace. Enough at peace for Aesop to fall asleep shortly to which Naib could just gaze at his husband. And at that moment, he could only think about how much he truly loved him.