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11:45p.m.
Luis finally collapses back in bed, yawning and curling up to Leon—nearly forgetting to take off his glasses in the process. “Missed me?” Leon reaches over to the nightstand on his left and grabs the bookmark off of it. He had been deep into a new mystery book series recently and read them while waiting for Luis to get done with his work.
Putting the bookmark between the pages he was currently on so as to not lose his place, he closed the book then set it on the nightstand. Finally, turning his attention to his attention-hungry lover. “Of course.” He responds simply, darkening bags under his eyes. “You know I don’t sleep without you.”
Luis sighed, gently pulling Leon back down onto the bed so now they both had their heads on the pillows. Wrapping an arm around Leon’s waist as the other wraps his around Luis’, sighing softly as they nuzzle their faces into the other’s neck. “Stop staying up so late, te ves como una mierda.”
“You’re the one who looks like shit. Working until midnight every single day.” Leon quickly retorts, running his fingers through Luis’ hair.
Pleasant silence fills their shared bedroom, simply listening to the other’s breathing and heartbeat. Then Luis remembers something—something he’d been avoiding for a long time coming.
“Y’know,” Luis quietly starts, listening for Leon’s ‘hm’ noise that signifies he heard him. “I turn 29 tomorrow. Crazy, isn’t it?” Leon very very quickly sits straight up, Luis blinking up at him in confusion.
“Why didn’t you tell me it was your birthday?” Leon asked, looking down at his boyfriend with a raised eyebrow. Confused, not judging. “I would’ve had time to plan us something for your birthday tomorrow.”
Luis rolled onto his back, hissing slightly, still sensitive even after a few months. Putting his arms on the back of his head, staring up at the ceiling with soft eyes. An almost distant look to his eyes. “Don’t know. I just never celebrated it after awhile. Had no one to celebrate with,” Luis moved one of his hands in front of his face, gaze wavering and lip shaking. “And I guess I didn’t feel like I deserved too after everything I’ve done.”
Leon’s eyes soften and he slowly lowers himself back down onto the bed, watching Luis intently. “Celebrating your birthday doesn’t mean you have to celebrate the bad stuff, y’know?” Leon says after a heartbeat of silence. “You’re getting older—meaning you’ve grown better than who you were, and have more opportunities to grow.” He adds, cupping Luis’ cheek to make him look towards him. “And I’d say you’ve damn sure grown a lot since I met you already.”
Luis snorts, shaking his head as Leon snuggles up close to him. “Sure mariposa, whatever you say.”
“Just get some sleep.” Leon huffs as Luis reaches over to turn off the lamp then goes straight back to cuddling Leon.
“I hear you, I hear you.” Luis replies with a chuckle, closing his eyes as the two finally get some sleep for the night.
7:00a.m.
Luis is nudged awake, groaning before reluctantly opening his eyes to find Leon dressed up as if he’s about to go to the grocery store, a bag on his shoulder. “C’mon, I’ll carry you and you can sleep on the way.” Confused but too tired to oppose, Luis lets himself be manhandled into Leon’s arms. Leon made the effort of wrapping a blanket around Luis and hiding Luis’ face in his jacket so his face wasn’t cold.
Luis didn’t remember much else before falling back asleep, just remembering hearing Leon mutter about how they need to hurry or they’ll miss it—whatever that means.
7:15a.m.
Luis wakes up again in one of the nearby parks in the city. Laying on a blanket with Leon scuffling beside him.
“¿Qué?” Luis catches Leon’s attention as the other was finishing setting up.
“Good morning.” He smiles, leaning down to press a kiss to Luis’ forehead, pulling the blanket back over him when Luis shivered.
“What time is it? The sun’s not even up yet.” Luis groans, shifting closer to Leon instinctively for warmth.
“7 in the morning, it’s not anything fancy but..” Luis lifts his head, takes a tired look around for a second before sitting up in surprise. He reaches for his glasses when Leon gives them to him. “I wanted you to have something on your birthday.” He smiled sheepishly as Luis got a clearer view of everything.
A comfy blanket, some small snacks, two cigarettes for Luis, and wine for the both of them. A smile creeps itself onto Luis’ face, to think Leon went out of his way to plan all this..
“It’s not much but-”
“It’s perfect.” Luis cuts Leon off with a kiss, cupping Leon’s cheek with his hand. Leon kisses back, putting his own hand over Luis’ while they kiss. Simply enjoying the moment between them and them alone.
No work bothering them. No zombies getting in the way. No Umbrella. No Los Illuminados. No government. Just them.
They separate after a minute or two, simply staring into each other’s eyes.
“You didn’t have to do this for me, you know that don’t you?” Luis nods to the little makeshift picnic. Leon grabs Luis’ chin between two fingers, making him blush as he’s made to look Leon in the eyes again.
“I love you. I love you so fucking much that I won’t let you go another birthday feeling like you don’t deserve to be happy that you made it. That you’re okay. That you can make a difference.” Leon says firmly but lovingly, making Luis tear up so much so he takes off his glasses, and then he flings his arms around Leon, hugging him tightly.
“Yo también te amo..” Luis whispers softly under his breath. “Te amo, te amo, te amo.” He repeats, again and again. Overwhelmed by so many emotions so quickly. Leon simply holds him, kissing Luis’ forehead and whispering nothing but love into his ears. Not again would he let Luis feel like he’d ever have another birthday alone.
“Hey, Luis, look.” Leon nudges Luis who slowly lifts his end to where Leon was pointing. There he could see the sun rising. “That’s our future. Bright, warm, beautiful..” Leon looks down at Luis whose head was on his shoulder. “That’s your future. I know it is.”
Luis looks up at Leon before chuckling and shaking his head, snuggling up closer. “You’re so cheesy.”
“You like cheesy.” Leon chuckles, pressing another kiss to Luis’ forehead as they watch the sunrise.
“Yeah. Yeah I do.” Luis shakes his head.
“Happy birthday, Luis.” Leon whispers softly to Luis.
“Thanks Leon.” He chuckles in return, placing a kiss on Leon’s cheek.