Archive of Our Own

YEAR 1: SPRING, WEEK 1

Water splashes gently against the dock. Cellbit wipes his brow. He can hear Fit inside, mumbling as he sorts through inventory, different rods and tackles clattering together as they are put on display.

A short tug on the line gets his attention, and he reels it in. The lack of resistance doesn’t spell anything good, hardly having to put in any work to pull it up. Cellbit sighs as he gets yet another anchovy. Doesn’t seem all that heavy or remarkable; he’d be less disappointed if it were a gold star, but this doesn’t even look like silver.

Still, money is money, and Cellbit is practically just starting out. He tucks the fish into his limited inventory and checks the time before deciding to just head out. It’s getting late, and he is almost entirely out of space.

Cellbit waves to Fit through the window, calling out another “thank you” for the rod before turning back toward town. It’s probably just a favor for Pac, Cellbit hears those two are quite close and Pac is one of three people Cellbit came here knowing. It’s still a thoughtful gesture. His feet sink into the sand as he trudges through it.

The walk is short, but it’s nice. Cellbit can appreciate the relative quiet. Crickets begin to chirp as the sun sets, mixing with the sound of the ocean behind him and distant voices ahead, becoming a melody that he has never really heard before.

As Cellbit crosses the bridge from beach to town proper, a voice shakes him out of his reverie.

“Aye, Cellbit!”

He looks up to see Roier, one of the townspeople. He’s grinning as he jogs up to Cellbit.

“Roier,” Cellbit greets, pleasantly surprised to see the man. There hasn’t been much of a chance for them to hang out, but Cellbit thinks he likes him. It’s only been a few days, but Roier has made enough of an impression for Cellbit to not immediately wave him off. “How are you, man?”

“I’m good, you know? Just going to Buteco do Boi Gordo for a drink! You should come, man, it will be fun!”

Cellbit does debate saying no. He doesn’t really feel like sitting at a bar as everyone around him gets progressively more rowdy, especially when there’s still work to do on the farm. There aren’t many crops yet, but Cellbit wants desperately to keep them alive.

On the other hand… Roier looks so hopeful. And Cellbit’s the new guy, he needs to at least try to make friends with some of the other people around. So, with a heavy sigh, Cellbit nods.

Roier is practically beaming as he grabs Cellbit’s sleeve and turns to tug him along behind him. He starts telling some story that Cellbit has no context for, but it makes him laugh regardless when Roier makes a dig at Quackity, making a face at Cellbit over his shoulder.

There aren’t many people inside, thankfully, so Cellbit slides into a barstool next to Roier. Roier insists on buying him a beer, shouting out a “salut” before clinking them together and taking a swig.

Pac and Mike chat with Cellbit in Portuguese, Roier chiming in as he puts together the words he knows. His roommate (Jaiden? Cellbit thinks that’s her name) joins them before too long. She is someone else that Cellbit can appreciate. Her presence doesn’t suddenly make Cellbit feel like a third wheel. Jaiden still pulls him into conversation, listening to him with the same attentiveness she gives Roier.

It’s a much better time than Cellbit had been expecting. He finds himself smiling and laughing the entire time. There’s not a moment Cellbit ends up alone, and he doesn’t try to find any alone time.

Cellbit decides to call it just after 11. He has to be up early, after all, and is still getting used to this new sleep schedule. He’s never had to go to sleep early before. It honestly kind of sucks, feeling himself get tired before his watch reads midnight, but he can deal. As long as he’s not wasting away for Joja anymore.

“I think I have to go home, but thank you for inviting me out.” Cellbit smiles at Roier, who smiles back. “I had a good time.”

“Yeah, yeah, no problem!” Roier claps Cellbit on the back. He leans close into Cellbit’s space. “I had fun too, man. I’ll see you later?”

Cellbit nods. “I’ll see you later.”

He pays Mike, offering a goodbye to both him and Pac, then exits. The night air is much cooler than the stuffy air inside the bar. It feels nice, if a bit lonely.

It isn’t a long walk to anywhere in Pelican Town, so Cellbit finds himself back at his house in just a few minutes. He takes a moment to just look at it, trying to commit every crack and spiderweb into memory. So much of it is still so unfamiliar.

This was an impulsive decision. Cellbit knows it was impulsive. He knows he didn’t really think it through before putting in his two weeks at Joja. At that point, what choice did he have other than move here?

What’s done is done, though. Cellbit will lie in the grave he dug. It could be worse, he supposes, though he could definitely go without forming calluses on his hands.

He climbs the rickety old porch and kicks off his boots before coming inside. They’re caked in mud that Cellbit doesn’t want to clean off the floors. The only light comes from the lit fireplace, warding off the chill of early summer nights.

Cellbit’s watch buzzes, warning him that it has reached midnight. Deciding to actually go to bed before he passes out or something, Cellbit changes before climbing into bed and pulling the blankets over his body. He ignores how alone the quiet makes him feel after living his entire life in the loud, bustling city.

He’ll get used to it, he’s sure.

YEAR 1: SPRING, WEEK 2

Farming still isn’t easy, but it’s getting significantly easier. Cellbit has even managed to harvest his first few parsnips! They’re nothing special, but he makes enough money to buy a few more packets of seeds and replant.

It feels… good. Not the physical labor, that still fucking sucks, but Cellbit grew plants with his own hands. He watered them daily, made a scarecrow to keep them safe, and succeeded.

Cellbit is even getting into a routine, becoming efficient as hell. He becomes so efficient that he kind of runs out of things to do by midday, so he decides to clear out some more space on the farm. There are a lot of trees, and Cellbit is half worried that his crops are going to be crushed by a falling branch or something. Or maybe a seed will find its way into the tilled soil and start competing with the plants Cellbit already has.

Either way, Cellbit doesn’t want any of his hard work to go to waste, so he takes his axe and begins to swing. The heat isn’t the worst, but it definitely isn’t pleasant. It is creeping closer and closer to summer, and it’s obvious.

Cellbit ends up spending as much time wiping sweat from his face as he does swinging his axe. It’s nice and repetitive, though. Motions that Cellbit can let himself get a little lost in as the hours slip by. He gets good enough that he manages to fell multiple trees in an hour.

He’s collecting wood from yet another when footsteps approach from behind. Cellbit turns around to see Roier. He blinks.

Roier’s eyes flit over Cellbit’s body, probably taking in just how sweaty and gross he is, before focusing on his face. “Uh- Hola!”

“Hola,” Cellbit greets in return, heaving up another large branch. Hopefully he gets stronger with time, because Jesus fucking Christ. This shit is difficult. “What’s up?”

“I was just, uh, wondering-” Roier looks away from Cellbit. “There’s this egg festival tomorrow. Are you going?”

Weird thing to come to Cellbit’s house for, but Roier is a weird guy.

“I don’t know, maybe. If I finish up my work here early enough then I might stop by.”

“Cellbo, you have to! I need as much help as I can get, I can’t let Jaiden beat me in the egg hunt again!” Roier’s attention is suddenly fully on Cellbit. He grabs onto Cellbit’s arm, shaking it. “Partner with me, partner with me! With that big, big brain of yours we have to win!”

Cellbit can’t help but chuckle at the display. Roier is the biggest drama queen Cellbit has ever met.

“I’ll do my best to make it there,” Cellbit says, as close to a promise as he can get. Roier’s bright grin makes it inch a little closer into being a promise.

“Yes! We will beat everyone else so easily, Cellbo. Trust me, trust me.”

Cellbit tilts his head, a smile still dancing on his lips. “Where did ‘Cellbo’ come from?”

“I thought your mom, but maybe your mom is just puzzles.”

“That doesn’t even make sense.”

“Ah no, it does, you just have to think .” Roier taps the side of Cellbit’s head with a wink, cackling when Cellbit swats him away. “Think, think, think, come on!”

Cellbit rolls his eyes. “You’re a dumbass.”

Roier gasps and throws his hand up to his chest. He then sticks his tongue out at Cellbit.

“I am actually a genius, you’re just not smart enough to understand me.”

“Okay, Roier.”

“Okay, Roier,” Roier mocks.

He then sticks his tongue out, walking backwards and stumbling over a branch. It doesn’t deter him in the slightest. Roier points his finger at Cellbit.

“Egg festival. Tomorrow. We are going to crush Jaiden. Got it?”

Cellbit smiles. “Got it.”

“Awesome!”

Roier spins around with a skip in his step, walking off while loudly humming. He winks at Cellbit again before rounding the corner of the path and disappearing behind the trees.

Cellbit shakes his head and gets back to work, hoping to make good progress so he can actually join Roier.

-

Somehow, Cellbit actually manages to clear out a lot of the trees that have been blocking his path by the time evening rolls around. He’s even cleared out all the logs. Some of the bigger stumps remain, they were too difficult with Cellbit’s current axe, but the land Cellbit needs is largely clear of wood.

He stumbles inside, arms weak, exhaustion suddenly knocking into him with all the force of a train. Cellbit washes the day’s grime off of him before promptly collapsing into bed, barely remembering to check his alarm before passing out.

When he wakes, the first thing on Cellbit’s mind is Roier’s egg hunt. He rises with the sun, trying to stretch out his achey muscles. Cellbit’s arms feel like overcooked pasta. It is the most physically uncomfortable he has been since coming here.

But today is the egg hunt, so Cellbit has to get everything done on the farm early. He wants to do this for Roier. This is someone he wants to be friends with, and Roier asked for him specifically.

So Cellbit stumbles out of bed, changing into his work clothes and shaking the exhaustion from his limbs. He grabs his watering can and waters all his plants before making his way over to his new chicken coop. The little chick inside cheeps when it sees him, scurrying over to the hay when Cellbit puts it down. Its wings flutter when Cellbit scratches at its head, chirping again before returning to its meal.

Cellbit pushes himself back to his feet, putting everything away and checking his watch. It’s just past nine, so he still has plenty of time to make it to the festival. It’s a relief, actually. Cellbit didn’t want to miss it.

He puts his supplies away, tucked into the chest in front of his porch, then walks into town. The square is decorated with food tables in the middle. Everyone is bustling around and chatting. It’s not Cellbit’s usual scene, but he can force himself to mingle.

Felps manages to find him near-immediately. He mutters something about a kissing booth before disappearing again, leaving Cellbit alone again. Then Cellbit spots a flash of red and beelines it to the other side of the square, where Roier is talking to Jaiden, Mariana, and Charlie.

As soon as he catches sight of Cellbit, Roier is grinning ear-to-ear. He waves him over, draping dramatically against him once Cellbit is close enough.

“Cellbo-o, tell them that we are going to win.”

“No, we are going to win!” Mariana exclaims without hesitation. Charlie nods emphatically.

“We have more than the power of love,” Charlie adds, “we have the power of divorce.”

Cellbit can’t help but burst into laughter, the others doing the same. Jaiden shakes her head.

“Well I think I beat both of those things. I’m beyond the power of love and divorce, I have the power of the intimate knowledge of egg hunts.”

“I have the power of Cellbo!” Roier insists, holding Cellbit’s arm up and shaking it. “Together, we will win, I’m sure of it.”

“Uh huh.” Jaiden raises her eyebrows. “Well, if you say so.”

Roier excitedly drags Cellbit to the town square, chattering and bouncing on his toes as they wait for the egg hunt. It has him waving his hands around. Cellbit can do nothing but watch.

They stand next to each other as they are given instructions by Quackity. It’s pretty self-explanatory, Cellbit doesn’t stress too much over the rules themselves. He uses the announcement time to try to look for any visible eggs. There are one or two on a fence, maybe one tucked behind a trash can. Easy enough targets.

Then the hunt is called to begin. Everyone rushes off into different directions. Roier grabs onto Cellbit and runs, basket in hand. He dives for an egg nestled gently in a pot, while Cellbit searches through bushes for a pop of color. It is the least coordinated thing Cellbit has maybe ever done, but he finds himself giggling as he parts the leaves and runs back to the basket in Roier’s hand.

They still end up losing pretty badly to Jaiden, but neither of them really care either way. It is a close match (well, three eggs short), and they vow to prepare better next year. Jaiden will lose to them no matter what.

The aftermath of the egg hunt ends up just as fun as the hunt itself. Cellbit joins Jaiden and Roier to just hang out, then ends up finding more time with Roier throughout the week. The pair will meet at the docks or in town and just talk. Hang out.

Cellbit doesn’t think he’s ever really clicked so easily with someone before, especially not so quickly. Even Felps took a while. It’s… nice. That’s the only way Cellbit can think to describe it. Nice.

YEAR 1: SPRING, WEEK 3

As nice as it is to hang out with Roier, Cellbit has to spend the next few days on the farm. He manages to get some chicks that are… quite honestly adorable. One of them he decides to call Richarlyson, but gets stumped on the other.

Cellbit manages to find Jaiden in town the day he gets the chicks, and sheepishly goes up to her.

“Jaiden, hey!”

“Oh, Cellbit! It’s nice to see you, man!”

“You too, you too! What are you up to?”

“I was just about to stop into the shop. We need some vegetables, been low for a bit and finally ran out today.”

“Cool, cool!” Cellbit definitely does not sound cool. “Uh, I have a question, actually.”

“What’s up?” Jaiden asks. She doesn’t seem upset by Cellbit asking a question. Score!

“So I got a new chick today,” Cellbit explains, “and I named the first one of them, no problem. But I can’t figure out a name for the other. Do you have any ideas?”

Jaiden hums and rocks back on her heels. Her head tilts back, as though the sky can answer her. “You know, I have a cat named Tostada. Maybe something like that. Like… I don’t know, Empanada?”

Cellbit can’t help but laugh a little, which makes Jaiden smile at him.

“Empanada, huh? I think that might work.”

“I’m the master at coming up with names,” Jaiden proclaims with a wink. Then she starts giggling herself. “Is there anything else you need?”

“No, just came into town to get some inspiration.”

“Ahh. Well, I’m glad you came to the right place!”

“I did!”

They say their goodbyes and Cellbit goes back home, feeling somewhat light. He really likes Jaiden. Plus, she just gave him the perfect name for his other chick!

He walks into the newly-constructed barn and sits, petting the still apprehensive animals. Hopefully they warm up to him soon.

“Richarlyson and Empanada,” he whispers to them. They don’t understand, but Cellbit does. He has two little lives to take care of now. It’s daunting, but Cellbit thinks he can do it.

After a few minutes, Cellbit stands with a stretch. Back to work he goes.

YEAR 1: SPRING, WEEK 4

During one of their many new hang out sessions, Roier mentions the flower festival.

“Are you going?” He asks, just as excited as ever. “It’s super fun. Just, like, spring themed. Lots of flowers, and the flower dance.”

“What’s the flower dance?” Cellbit asks, already regretting it even as Roier’s eyes light up.

“The dance that we all do to celebrate spring coming! It’s super coordinated, you know? But usually you ask someone and then learn the dance together. Some people are pairs every year. Jaiden doesn’t do it with me, so I just do it alone.”

“Ah.” Cellbit eyes Roier, who stares back. “I’m not sure. Dancing isn’t really my thing. Maybe I will come and watch you guys, though.”

Roier’s eyes go all wide and pleading. “Please, please, please, Cellbo! At least just come and hang out with us! We will have soooo much fun, I promise!”

“I already said I would!” Cellbit says. He sighs, knowing he has definitely just committed himself to something he won’t love, but how can he say no when Roier is all but begging him to join him?

“Yes! Yes, yes, let’s fucking go!”

Roier jumps up and down, laughing loudly. He’s very boisterous, but Cellbit thinks he likes that.

–

The day of the flower festival, Cellbit finds himself just as nervous and eager as the egg hunt. He is slowly carving his place into this town, and needs to make sure that everyone feels that he belongs, even if he maybe does not. Also, Roier is waiting for him, so Cellbit forces himself to dress well and go.

He ends up almost immediately with some flowers in his hands, Baghera wishing him a happy flower festival before darting away. Cellbit is near Phil, who mutters something about a competition before turning and beginning a conversation with Missa.

For the first few minutes, Cellbit feels very out of place. He kind of just stands there at the edge of the square, feeling oh so very awkward before Roier and Jaiden find him. He very happily joins them.

“Cellbit!” Jaiden exclaims, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. Cellbit gladly returns it.

“Hi, Jaiden,” he greets, wrapping his arms around his new friend. She is really, really sweet. He likes her, he thinks. Then he turns to Roier. “Oi, Roier.”

“Holaaaa,” Roier chimes. He also pulls Cellbit into a hug. It’s so weird how they’re both so… touchy. But he likes it. It’s fun.

The three of them just kind of fuck around for a while until the flower dance is called They chat, Jaiden and Roier explain the dance a little bit more. Cellbit still doesn’t really get it, but it’s tradition. He can’t trash their traditions.

Roier joins all the couples in the field when the flower dance gets called. Jaiden and Cellbit watch him as he moves in sync with everyone else, though he has to add his own special flourishes. He glances over at the pair of them every now and then, beaming like he could dance among the blossoms for the rest of his life.

There is a strange part of Cellbit that wishes he were out there too, a tug in his chest pulling him out to the field where Roier dances as if blown by wind and blessed by sun. He just looks so… happy. Beautiful.

Roier makes eye contact. Cellbit turns his gaze. He knows better than to think like that.

YEAR 1: SUMMER, WEEK 1

Summer rolls around, and things feel normal. This new normal that should feel weird. Cellbit spends his days working on the farm and fishing at the docks. Sometimes he spices things up by going to the river or lake, maybe even the mines if he wants to venture that far, but he falls into a routine that is only ever broken by Roier.

“Cellbo, come into the mines with me!” Roier demands one day, bursting into Cellbit’s house. Uninvited, he might add. Not that Cellbit really minds, but still.

“What are you going into the mines for, Roier?” Cellvit asks, not looking up from his pan. He is practicing a new recipe, and is determined to get it right.

“I need quartz.”

Roier flops onto Cellbit’s bed, obvious by the sound of the springs squeaking and the wood knocking against itself.

“And what is this quartz for?”

“Cellbooooo, just come into the mines with me.” Cellbit hums, as though it is really a question, before inevitably giving in.

He hasn’t been to the mines yet, he just hasn’t found the time, so Cellbit decides to just follow Roier’s lead.

They walk together, but Roier descends first. He says he wants to be Cellbit’s knight in shining armor if he falls, and Cellbit has to pause in going down the ladder because he starts laughing so hard. Cellbit doesn’t want to actually test Roier’s claim.

Once they are down to the first level, Roier shows Cellbit how to use his pickaxe. He explains the best way to hold it, the most efficient way to swing, all the basics that would have taken Cellbit weeks or months to learn on his own.

It is far from easy, but Cellbit figures it out. He even gets some stone out of it, which he needed! Cellbit wants to replace his wood fences with stone, plus he wants to get a proper barn, cows and all.

Only a few levels down, Roier cheers suddenly, making Cellbit jump and almost hit him with his pickaxe.

“I found quartz!” He exclaims, holding the mineral up above his head. It looks spectacularly sharp, but Cellbit has to admit that it’s pretty. Then he holds it out to Cellbit, who takes it tentatively.

“What’s it for?” Cellbit asks, turning the quartz over in his hands. He looks up and Roier turns back to the ladder, smirking over his shoulder.

“Just a little something for you, gatinho.”

Cellbit feels his face go bright red. “Wha- bu- you- Why make me come down if it’s for me?”

Roier’s laugh echoes off the cave walls, the only answer Cellbit receives. He follows Roier out of the mines, quartz heavy in his bag.

YEAR 1: SUMMER, WEEK 2

Sweat drips in a crystalline droplet down Cellbit’s face. He grimaces at the way it tickles, swinging his hoe again. The heat grows more and more sweltering every day.

Cellbit almost wishes he were back in his stark grey, air conditioned office. It was grueling and degrading, but at least he didn’t have to pant like a dog just to make it through the day. He wasn’t made for this kind of labor.

This is the price of uprooting his entire life, Cellbit supposes. He has to deal with the consequences of his actions.

One thing to look forward to (or dread, Cellbit isn’t quite sure yet) is the luau in the middle of the week. Cellbit even takes the initiative and brings it up to Roier on his own when the man stops by.

“Hey, do you wanna hang out at the luau in a few days?” Cellbit asks, trying to segue into his question as smoothly as possible. “Just because I don’t really know what to do, you know?”

“Of course, dumbass,” Roier responds. Cellbit can hear his eye roll. “I’ll be there anyway. What, you think I’m just going to avoid you? Because you smell?”

“Hey!”

“What??”

Cellbit has half a mind to stand Roier up after that. He doesn’t, but he does think about it.

The luau itself doesn’t seem extremely fancy. There’s a giant bowl of soup in the middle, which Cellbit contributes some of his gold quality mayonnaise to. He isn’t actually sure if it’ll taste good, but he goes for it.

After that, everyone just kind of talks. They walk around, poking at the decorations as they wait for the soup. Cellbit isn’t familiar with this Governor at all, but he seems cheery enough.

The only moment that stresses Cellbit out at all is when the actual tasting happens. He watches with bated breath as the Governor takes a sip, sagging in relief when he gives nothing but praise. Cellbit thinks he could pass away at that moment.

He hadn’t even realized how worried he’d been. Seems that he values the opinion of his fellow townspeople more than he thought, huh?

YEAR 1: SUMMER, WEEK 3

Summer dies down after that for a bit. Cellbit spends ample time with Jaiden and Roier, really just shoots the shit.

The only thing that he does of note is when he finally gets cows. Cellbit gets a barn and puts two calves inside of it as soon as he does, excited for the new little guys he gets to take care of.

YEAR 1: SUMMER, WEEK 4

“Explain what the moonlight jellies are.”

“You don’t know the moonlight jellies?!” Roier exclaims, staring at Cellbit like he just confessed to murder.

“We don’t have them where I’m from.” Cellbit shrugs.

“Ohh my God, no mames, we have to go see them tonight!”

Cellbit gives his assent, sprawled across Roier and Jaiden’s couch. He planned on going anyway, and he’s sure Roier was wanting to go, so going together just makes sense. The name sounds cool, but even if Cellbit is disappointed, he likes to spend time with Roier.

“You didn’t tell me what they are, pendejo.”

“Aye, shut the fuck up! They’re these jellyfish that come here once a year, glow and shit. They’re, like, super pretty. You’ll love them, Cellbo.”

Cellbit hums. That does sound pretty cool. He looks forward to seeing them in the evening.

Roier and Cellbit spend the rest of the day together, wasting time until the festival begins. Jaiden pops in every so often before disappearing again. She promises to be there for the festival, though.

The pair walk to the beach after sundown, Roier bringing Cellbit to the pier. He insists that it is the best spot to watch the jellies, Cellbit just has to trust him. Cellbit does.

He looks out at the water and gasps, staring at the blue lights floating in the water. Cellbit kneels, unable to tear his eyes from the water. The moonlight jellies are unlike anything he has ever seen.

“They’re pretty, aren’t they?”

Cellbit looks up at Roier, the blue reflected in his eyes. He feels like his lungs aren’t expanding all the way.

“Yeah, really pretty.” Cellbit isn’t looking at the water, not anymore.

“I only wish there was, like, an actual dance. They call it a dance, then there’s no dance!”

“I’ll dance with you.” An impulsive statement, but Cellbit is shocked to find that he means it, especially when Roier looks at him with a beam.

“Really?” Roier asks, leaning forward.

“Of course.”

Roier giggles and takes Cellbit’s hand, dragging him back to the beach. His excitement is brighter than any of the jellies as he starts to dance. It isn’t coordinated or pretty, but Cellbit will dance with Roier in the light of the stars and the sea without questioning it once. They jump and spin together, kicking up sand until everyone else has gone home, leaving just them and the hundreds of jellyfish to light their path.

YEAR 1: FALL, WEEK 1

The beginning of fall brings on a workload Cellbit hasn’t seen since he first moved here. There are so many more crops, so many to clear out from summer, and so much grass that sprouts up.

Cellbit spends more time on the farm than he has in weeks. He has too much to do to take breaks that last more than a meal. Unfortunately, this means that it is a lonely few days. Las of contact, especially lack of Roier, makes Cellbit feel like he is going a little stir crazy.

That doesn’t mean Cellbit gets to slack, he just pushes further so that he can see Roier sooner without also losing all his profit. And food.

Sadly, survival has to come before Roier, even if they do not always feel wholly unrelated to each other.

YEAR 1: FALL, WEEK 2

The second week of fall is much easier than the first. A lot less planting, a lot more general upkeep. Cellbit scrounges up some free time again, which he of course spends with Roier and Jaiden.

Cellbit goes over to their house pretty early, pretty much as soon as his chores are done. He knocks on the door, smiling softly as he hears his friends shuffle inside. Jaiden opens the door for him, letting him kick off his muddy shoes and step inside.

“Cellbo!” Roier greets sleepily. He looks like a sentient pile of blankets, wrapped up on the couch in at least four. “How’s the farm? It has you look very- very mamadisimo, you know? Very strong.”

Cellbit’s jaw drops. Jaiden cackles so hard she needs to use him to steady herself. He doesn’t think he’s ever been this bright red.

“Wha- um. Thank you. Uh. Yeah, thanks.”

Jaiden laughs harder. She walks with him to the couch, putting him between herself and Roier, which means Roier throws himself over Cellbit’s lap like it’s nothing.

Cellbit is pretty sure it would have been less mentally, emotionally, and physically taxing to just work on the farm all day.

YEAR 1: FALL, WEEK 3

Cellbit stops himself as he finds his teeth digging into his lip again. He already drew blood today, he doesn’t need to do it again.

But this is stupid, it’s fucking stupid, he’s obviously making the wrong fucking decision here. Why is he even trying?

He stares at the door in front of him, its familiarity second only to his own home. It is decorated to the nines for fall. Some of Cellbit’s own corn stalks stand proudly on either side of the door frame. Little black cat stickers are plastered all over, with broomsticks at various angles underneath them. Fake spiderwebs hand from the porch above, brushing Cellbit’s head as he passes below. It takes everything in him not to shriek at the feeling before realizing that it’s just a decoration.

Cellbit wishes he could blame it on the nerves, but he has a horrible feeling it would freak him out either way.

Fuck, fuck, he’s distracting himself. Steeling himself, Cellbit knocks on the door before he can chicken out (not to insult Richas and Em).

There isn’t much time to sit and wonder just how much he’s fucked himself before the door swings open. Cellbit makes eye contact with Roier. He can feel his eyes widen and his back straighten.

“Ahh, gatinho!” Roier pulls Cellbit into a hug immediately and, despite himself, Cellbit relaxes into it. He can’t help it, Roier’s hugs are just so warm. Perfect. Even as the weather tips to the colder end of the scale, Cellbit feels warm as ever when Roier’s arms are around him.

“Oi, guapito,” Cellbit says, taking a step back. He can’t find it in himself to make eye contact with Roier. That’s definitely suspicious. “What’s up?”

“You’re acting weird,” Roier says in place of an answer. He crosses his arms. It feels bizarrely like being scolded by a parent. “Why are you being a weirdo ?”

“Hey-!”

“I’m right. Don’t even try to argue, Cellbo. You know I’m always right. Now tell me why you are acting like a- a scared kitty.”

Cellbit grumbles a little before giving in. “I was just, ah, wondering something. Are you going to the fair tomorrow?”

“Of course I am,” Roier says, as though it is a stupid question to ask. And maybe it kind of is, Cellbit knows how much Roier adores all the festivals, but maybe this one is different! Or maybe he can’t go for some reason. Cellbit should ask before just assuming, right?

“Well. You- I mean, would you want to go with me? Like, ah, together? One on one. A date?”

Cellbit can hardly stumble his way through the words before he is tackled. Well, not quite, but it feels like he has been tackled. He has to take a few steps back, Roier suddenly attached to his chest like a spider.

“I’ve been trying to get you ask me out for like two months, culero!”

“Wait, really? But we’ve only… known each other for two months?”

“Yes, pendejo, and I thought you were hot the whole time.” Roier says it like he’s exasperated, but he has yet to let go of Cellbit.

“So… the fair?”

Roier pulls back. “It’s a date.”

Cellbit’s breath gets a little bit caught in his throat. He can’t do anything but nod and choke out a “I’ll meet you in town tomorrow then.” And then he scurries home, ready to plan the best date of all time.

-

The fair is packed. Cellbit makes it to town not long after it starts, wearing his nicest button-up. He doesn’t have any flowers on hand, but hopefully he can grow some soon and give them to Roier. A belated first date gift or something. Or just some flowers, no reason required.

He weaves between tents until he finds Roier, shouting with Mariana. It’s embarrassing how attractive Cellbit finds him. Roier hasn’t even done anything all that special, but he could outshine a spotlight.

“Roier!” Cellbit shouts. Roier turns immediately and breaks off whatever conversation-slash-argument he is having with Mariana. He runs up to Cellbit and hangs onto his arm.

“Gatinho, gatinho, come win me some coins! I told Mariana you could win me more than Slime could win him. You can’t let him win.”

What can Cellbit do but agree?

They start at the fishing game. Roier does his best to both be a distraction but not sabotage Cellbit. It’s a difficult line to toe, but he somehow manages. Cellbit pays just enough attention to get a handful of fish, gaining a good few hundred coins. He promises to come back if they don’t have any luck anywhere else.

Roier then pulls on his sleeve. “We have to go to the strength game! I wanna test my strength, sweep you off your feet.”

“Whatever you say, guapito,” Cellbit chuckles. He follows Roier to the machine, doing his best not to ogle as he heaves the hammer up. Then Roier brings it down, ringing the bell without issue. Butterflies swirl in Cellbit’s stomach, only exacerbated by the blinding smile Roier sends him.

“Let’s fucking go!” Roier shouts. He drops the hammer and collects his coins before crashing into Cellbit. Roier lifts him up in a princess carry, announcing his success to every person they pass.

Cellbit lets it happen, laughing with his arms around Roier’s shoulders. He feels like he is in this stupid, giddy bubble. The world is just right on its axis, everything perfectly aligned.

They find Jaiden, who takes one look and doubles over. Baghera and Charlie start laughing too, both of them immediately poking at Roier’s biceps. Which, of course, makes him flex while still holding Cellbit.

“Ohhh, how strong,” Charlie croons, clearly trying to poke Roier hard enough to make him drop Cellbit.

“Very strong, very strong,” Roier agrees. He doesn’t drop Cellbit.

“You could hold, like, twenty more people!” Baghera adds.

“Oh, but why would you? You already have Cellbit, who else do you need to carry?” Jaiden grins at them.

“That is very true, Jaiden!” Roier proclaims. “That is very, very true!”

They continue their back-and-forth until Roier finally sets Cellbit back onto the ground. Charlie and Baghera playfully boo before they get shooed away, leaving Cellbit with just Jaiden and Roier to say goodnight to. It is getting late and Cellbit doesn’t have the luxury of taking days off.

“I think I have to be heading out soon,” Cellbit says, “but I- uh- had a good time. A really good time.”

“Yeah yeah, pendejo. Me, too.”

“Hey, wait!” Jaiden straightens as though she just had an idea. “We are carving pumpkins tomorrow, actually. You wanna join us?”

Roier spins to look at Cellbit, hands already clasped together. “Please, please, please, gatinho! Come carve pumpkins with us!”

“Roier, I was already going to say yes.”

“Good! You can’t deny your boyfriend when he needs to carve pumpkins.”

“My-?” Cellbit doesn’t even get to finish the thought before Roier presses a kiss to his cheek. Red covers his face. Roier snickers and nudges Jaiden.

“Goodnight, gatinho!”

And then he’s gone, leaving Cellbit with the lingering feeling of his lips against his skin.

YEAR 1: FALL, WEEK 4

Roier is now officially Cellbit’s boyfriend. Cellbit kind of can’t believe it. Actually, he fully can’t believe it.

If they were always together before, this only strengthens that want. Cellbit is never seen without Roier, and Roier is never seen without Cellbit. They don’t want to ever be apart, so why would they? Cellbit still has to work on his farm, of course, but he rushes through the work as quickly as possible so that he can spend the rest of his time with his boyfriend.

They have their second date on Spirits’ Eve. It is something Cellbit looks forward to, as fun and spooky as it seems. He’s never been one to turn down a good fright, despite how easy he is to jump.

“Cellbo, Cellbo, I’ll race you through the maze!” Roier challenges as soon as they get into town. Cellbit narrows his eyes with a smirk.

“Oh, you are so on.”

They ready themselves at the start. Roier counts down, meaning he runs off before finishing, leaving Cellbit behind. He laughs like the cheater he is, but Cellbit can’t find it in himself to even be annoyed.

Cellbit navigates the maze with ease, keeping largely to the left until he finds a secret passage. He crawls through, discovering a small chest with a golden pumpkin inside. The only one, it seems, meaning Cellbit wins.

He takes a cart out and waits near the entrance for Roier. Luckily for both of them, it only takes Roier a few minutes to come back out, looking defeated. His pout immediately disappears when he sees Cellbit holding the pumpkin.

“You did it!” Roier cheers, giving Cellbit a kiss on the cheek. Then his grin turns devious. “Can I have it?”

If it were anyone else, Cellbit would say no. He’s pretty sure Roier knows that, too. Unfortunately, Cellbit is whipped for this man, so he just holds out the pumpkin with a sigh. Roier cheers again, taking the gourd and putting it under his arm, ready to tell every person he can find about the way he bravely and skillfully made his way through the maze.

Cellbit just nods along, woefully into this man.

YEAR 1: WINTER, WEEK 1

Winter brings about its own set of difficulties. A storm rolls in on the first day of winter, killing all of Cellbit’s remaining crops. He thinks he has stocked up enough on food and hay, that he has enough money to go without any crop money for a few weeks, but it is so far from certain.

Cellbit ends up going over to Roier and Jaiden’s. He curls up with Roier, cuddling up to him. Jaiden teases them for it, saying they must be freezing to share body heat like that. Roier flips her off for it, making Cellbit chuckle against him.

This will be a stressful season, Cellbit knows it, but he also knows he is lucky to have Roier and Jaiden here with him through it.

YEAR 1: WINTER, WEEK 2

The second week of winter is shockingly busy compared to the first.

First, of course, is the Festival of Ice. Cellbit goes with Roier and Jaiden, holding onto his boyfriend’s hand the whole time. For the body heat, obviously. It’s cold, what else are they supposed to do? Freeze to death when there are perfectly good hands to hold?

It’s cold as hell, as to be expected, but it is also really pretty. Cellbit takes in all the sculptures and snowmen, complimenting all of them as much as he can. They’re fucking impressive .

He decides to participate in the fishing contest, Roier cheering wildly from the sidelines. Cellbit fights valiantly, getting fish after fish, but still ends up losing to Fit. This year, anyway. Next year will be a different story, he swears to himself.

Cellbit and Roier only hang out for a little while after the contest before heading back to Cellbit’s together. They, once again, cuddle together. For body heat.

Later in the week, Cellbit decides to participate in squidfest. He’s not very experienced, but how else is he supposed to gain experience?

Roier doesn’t spend too much time at the beach with him, just stopping by when he’s nearby, but Cellbit appreciates him nonetheless. He’s Cellbit’s good luck charm. Even if Cellbit is far from the best fisherman there, only getting a few squids, he is positive that he would have done way worse if he didn’t have Roier there at all.

YEAR 1: WINTER, WEEK 3

Cellbit doesn’t really know what happens at the Night Market, but he still makes a point to go with Roier and Jaiden. It seems interesting at the very least, and it is yet another tradition that Cellbit is being invited to participate in.

They all go together and wander around. Roier forces Cellbit and Jaiden to watch the mermaid show, then they all get some coffee and browse the art. It isn’t super exciting, but it is really nice. A peaceful evening together.

Once they decide to head out, Roier and Jaiden coax Cellbit to come back to their home, where they set up karaoke and sing for hours. Cellbit ends up falling asleep on their couch, voice tired and chest warm.

YEAR 1: WINTER, WEEK 4

The week of the feast rolls around before Cellbit knows it. He spent every day agonizing over what to get his giftee, doing his best to look for the perfect item.

His idea hit him in the middle of fishing, forcing Cellbit to pack up early to make sure he wouldn’t forget. He got lucky, managed to get what he needed almost immediately. So now he has just been sitting on it for days, the gift in a bag that Cellbit thinks is pretty.

He checks it at least half a dozen times before leaving for the feast, and it takes all his restraint to keep from checking on the way there. Cellbit pretends to be nonchalant about it, but he can’t get rid of the tension in his jaw and fingers.

Cellbit comes across the recipient of his gift pretty quickly. It helps that he knows exactly where she will be.

“Jaiden! Happy Feast of the Winter Star!” Cellbit gives her a hug. Then, of course, gives a hug to Roier. He gives his boyfriend a chaste peck before returning his attention to Jaiden. “So… have you given your gift yet?”

“Yeah, I got Niki! I got some amethyst for her, she seemed like she really liked it.”

“That’s awesome! I actually, uh, got you.” Cellbit holds out the bag. “I don’t really have much, but I hope you like it.”

Jaiden gasps and takes the bag. She carefully digs through it. Then she pulls out a single duck feather. Iridium quality, with a slight purple sheen, cleaned to perfection. Cellbit has it fastened to an earring hook so that Jaiden can wear it if she wants.

“I know how much you love birds, and I figured this is something pretty. And purple, so it matches your whole vibe! I could’ve made you food or something, I still will if you want some, but this felt the most like you.”

“It’s gorgeous, Cellbit,” Jaiden says, eyes glued to the feather. It shines as she examines it. “I love it.”

“I’m glad,” Cellbit responds. He smiles as he watches Jaiden don the earring, showing off to Roier. The three of them stay in their little huddle for a while longer, talking and feeling warm. It is a circle of friendship that extends out into the entire town. Etoiles joins them briefly, giving Cellbit a stunning sword before disappearing again with a promise to spar soon. Others come in and out, joining the conversation as easily as breathing.

Cellbit just spends time with his friends. They talk, they eat, they give each other gifts. It is a wholly new experience, and now Cellbit can’t imagine living without this community around him after going his whole life without it.

YEAR 2: SPRING, WEEK 1

All the snow is finally melting, the air warming again. The coming of spring marks a year that Cellbit has lived here, and it somehow feels like decades and no time at all simultaneously.

Roier spends practically all his time at Cellbit’s. It gets to the point that one morning they wake up to find a sign with both their names attached to the front of Cellbit’s house. They both pretend to be annoyed, but neither take it down.

It gets a little busy, what with the ability to grow crops again, but not too bad. Cellbit still gets to spend plenty of time with his boyfriend and friends, which is almost better than being able to eat. Not quite, since he needs to eat in order to do those things, but almost.

YEAR 2: SPRING, WEEK 2

The egg festival is coming up again. Cellbit finds himself growing more and more anxious as it grows nearer. Knots grow in his stomach and he has the urge to hide in his house, but he has to leave. It is raining this week, which is perfect, because Cellbit has someone to go visit before the festival.

Just a few days before the egg festival, Cellbit wakes up to rain. It is a downpour, sure to soak him right through to the skin as soon as he steps outside. Thunder echoes through the valley. Lightning flashes often enough to make goosebumps spread up Cellbit’s arms. But he’s determined, determined , to go out and do this.

Taking a moment to steel himself, Cellbit steps out onto the porch. Rain splashes up onto the bottom of his pants as he prepares. Then he takes a deep breath and rushes off into the storm.

There is no hope of keeping even a little bit dry. Water immediately plasters Cellbit’s hair and clothes to his skin. He has no choice but to run, taking the long way to the beach in order to avoid Roier’s house. As much as he would love to stop in, he has an errand, and he can’t let himself get distracted.

At least all the farm work has increased Cellbit’s stamina, he’s not sure he would be able to run all the way to the beach a few months ago. It still makes him double over panting as soon as he makes it to the sand, but he makes it! That’s the important part.

Once Cellbit has caught his breath, he stumbles through wet sand to the rickety wooden bridge. He crosses it, immediately catching sight of a figure standing among the flora and debris. That has to be the Mariner.

“Hello?” Cellbit calls out, approaching the man apprehensively.

“Ah…” the Mariner says, like a wizard from an old television show, “I can see it in yer eyes. There be a special someone in yer heart.” He grins knowingly. “Just so happens I’m sellin’ a “Mermaid’s Pendant.” Give that to yer intended and they’ll know exactly what you mean.”

The Mariner holds out his hand. A blue pendant dangles from a string wrapped around his palm. It is beautiful, yes, but Cellbit finds himself entranced more by the meaning. This is something for Roier, a proposal using the traditions he grew up with. Cellbit wants to do this right.

Cellbit slips five thousand coins out of his bag and gives it to the Mariner. The pendant is placed in his palm, the Mariner giving his hand a squeeze.

“Thank you,” Cellbit mumbles breathlessly.

The Mariner nods with a hum, eyes looking out into the distance. Cellbit watches him for just a moment before turning and walking back into town. He wraps the pendant up to keep it safe, then tucks it deep into his bag. Now he just has to wait for the festival.

Luckily, days pass quickly. Roier makes everything fly by like it’s nothing. He makes it remarkably easy to lose track of time.

It feels like no time has passed before Cellbit is suddenly preparing his farm before heading off to the egg festival. He hums as he walks, pendant within easy reach. Roier and him are competing together again this year, determined to beat Jaiden.

Town is bustling, as it is every event. Cellbit tries to find Roier, but somehow ends up with Felps. Which is probably for the best, actually, Cellbit needs the vibes of his oldest friends right now. Felps is one of the few people Cellbit told, along with Jaiden, so he allows himself to feel a little panicked in front of him.

“I feel like I’m going to go crazy,” Cellbit mutters in Portuguese. “It feels too soon, doesn’t it?”

Felps rolls his eyes and knocks his shoulder against Cellbit’s. “I’m surprised you even waited this long. You two have been making googly eyes at each other since day one.”

“Hey! That’s not true!”

“Oh, did you manage to make it to day two? Because he definitely didn’t.”

Cellbit swats at Felps, who cackles. He catches sight of a familiar red hoodie and Cellbit feels himself sober slightly.

“You really think he’ll say yes?”

Roier somehow manages to find Cellbit among the crowd. He lights up brighter than the sun, waving and immediately making his way over. Even with the nerves curdling in his stomach, Cellbit finds himself relaxing.

“Not a doubt,” Felps says before slipping away. He says hello to Roier before disappearing into the crowd.

“Gatinho!” Roier shouts in greeting. He leans into Cellbit’s space, mouth curled into a grin. “Are you ready to crush everyone today?”

“You know it, guapito!”

They giggle like children, foreheads pressed together as though they are sharing a secret.

“Do you wanna go get in place for the hunt?” Cellbit whispers, slipping his arms around Roier’s shoulders.

“Wait, I have one more thing I want to do!”

Roier kisses Cellbit then sprints off, leaving Cellbit to race after him. He is faster, but he also has to stop before he gets too far. This lets Cellbit run into him, picking him up and spinning him around as Roier shrieks. They are stopped by the beginning announcement before Roier can retaliate.

They get in line just like last year. The setup looks slightly different from what Cellbit remembers. He is holding the basket this year, and he readies himself to run. This has to go perfect, and even though Jaiden knows the plan, he knows she won’t be going easy on them.

Quackity counts down, then they’re off. Cellbit finds one, two, three in quick succession. He feels Roier toss one or two into the basket too. A solid start, but they can’t let it slow them down. Victory is far from guaranteed.

He banks to the river, scooping up two more. Cellbit checks his watch, cursing at how little time he has left. In a snap decision, he runs into the cemetery, then circles the fence as quickly as he can to find Roier.

With ten seconds left, Cellbit spots him across the square.

“Roier!” Cellbit shouts, holding up the basket. Eight seconds left, they both sprint toward each other, dodging everyone who walks between them. 

Five seconds, Roier drops three more eggs into the basket. The final few seconds pass as they catch their breath together, then they gather around Quackity with everyone else and hand over their shared basket.

The crowd waits with bated breath as each basket is counted, the numbers written on a piece of paper before Quackity moves to the next one. He counts under his breath, eyes narrowed as he makes his way through every one. Cellbit holds Roier’s hand tightly the whole time.

Once he is done, Quackity stands and clears his throat with a clap.

“Good job to everyone who participated this year! Our numbers got pretty high, but there can only be one winner. Or, this year, there can be two. Congratulations to Cellbit and Roier, you fucking cheaters!”

Roier cheers as loud as Cellbit has ever heard him. They walk forward together, still holding hands, to receive their prize. Cellbit’s heart is pounding harder than a fist on a door.

“There’s only one hat, so you guys will have to share.” Quackity remarks. Cellbit breathes in deeply and lets go of Roier’s hand, trying to get onto one knee as quietly as he can. The mermaid pendant slips into his hand, smooth and cool. He does his best to ignore the quiet gasps and murmurs from the surrounding townspeople.

“Aww, we can have joint custody, can’t… we?” Roier turns to Cellbit. His jaw goes slack, eyes wide. Cellbit watches him almost lose his grip on the straw hat.

“Roier…” Cellbit says. Just to him. “It hasn’t been long, I know, but I’ve never known anyone like you before, for better or for worse.” Roier lets out a gasp that sounds more for show than genuinely hurt. “I- I don’t want to have to spend any time apart. I want to wake up next to you, go to sleep next to you, eat my meals with you. I even wanna win stupid little egg hunts with you.”

A small wave of laughter from the crowd. Cellbit hardly even notices.

“Please, let me spend every day with you. Guapito, will you marry me?”

Roier drops to his knees and puts the hat on Cellbit’s head. Then he pulls him close by the back of his neck. “You know I fuckin’ will.”

Then Roier kisses Cellbit, and every drop of fear and anxiety dissipates like it was never there. Cellbit sinks into it, carding one hand through Roier’s hand and resting the other on the small of his back. Cheering erupts around them and they are forced to break the kiss as they are jostled by everyone coming forward.

“To Buteco do Boi Gordo, to Buteco do Boi Gordo!” Pac cheers, starting up a weird chant. Cellbit just lets himself get swept along next to his now-fiance, happy to do anything as long as they are at each other's sides.

YEAR 2: SPRING, WEEK 3

Wedding planning is really no joke. Cellbit feels as though he has used all his brainpower on colors and flowers and seating arrangements. All waking hours are spent focused on the wedding. Cellbit has even had some stress dreams about it. He will never see the color white the same way again.

Both Cellbit and Roier have been busier than ever, both trying to make sure everything is perfect. They hardly even see each other now, which is kind of the opposite of the point of getting married, but they push through anyway. Nothing will stop them from making this wedding perfect.

In order to make sure everything is perfect, Cellbit started growing some flowers the day he proposed. He spends every spare moment doting on the flowers, planting more every time he gets the chance. His stock of seeds has never been higher.

Roier has been spending a similar amount of time in the mines. He is much more experienced than Cellbit, than most people in town. No one could be better at searching for diamonds and gold.

From what Cellbit gathers, he is looking for a certain quality. Cellbit doesn’t know how to tell the difference, but he trusts Roier to know what he’s talking about.

All this to say, Cellbit and Roier both work themselves until late into the night, exhaustion nipping at their heels. It is an unfortunately common occurrence now. Cellbit yearns for evenings in with his husband, but this must come first.

It is one of these nights that Cellbit loses track of time. He used to be able to stay up for days at a time, but the combination of a set schedule and consistent physical labor has made Cellbit significantly more tired. There hasn’t been a single time since moving here that he has made it past 2 am.

Cellbit decides to try pushing it. Not too far, he just has some new seeds to water before going to bed. He doesn’t check his watch, but he thinks it’s around one. That’s more than enough time to water the plants before going to bed.

He stumbles a little as he refills the watering can. Cellbit grunts and waters his flowers, determined to finish this before going to sleep. This wedding will be perfect.

It feels like hours before the seeds are all watered. Cellbit drops the watering can and glances at his watch, eyes widening at the time. 1:50 . Fuck.

Every step feels weighed with lead. Cellbit shuffles through the dirt, trying to circle the fence of his farm. He almost makes it to the porch before his vision swims with darkness.

Cellbit sways. He is out before he even hits the ground.

When he wakes, Cellbit is in his bed. A piece of paper is on his nightstand, big looping font scrawled across it.

O_O

I found you asleep outside your house. You know you’re supposed to sleep on the inside , you muffin! I found Roier too, but he was outside the mines. I almost took some of his diamonds, but I figured you guys would need them for the wedding, so I just took a chair from you instead! Hope your bed is comfier than the dirt ^_^

BBH

Cellbit can’t help but chuckle at the note. He can’t really imagine anything else from Bad, but he appreciates the help even if it comes with some light thievery. Hopefully this won’t have to happen again, though Cellbit won’t get his hopes up.

YEAR 2: SPRING, WEEK 4

The flower festival comes around again. Cellbit is actually excited because he has a date this year. Better than a normal date, Cellbit has his fiance.

They spend days practicing the dance in the leadup to the festival. Any time that isn’t spent on the wedding is spent on the flower festival. It may not be all that serious, but Cellbit wants to make this something Roier can look back on fondly.

Cellbit dresses himself in the outfit everyone wears. He feels like he looks kind of silly, but this is for Roier. What wouldn’t Cellbit do for him?

They mingle before the dance starts, talking and laughing with their friends. The food is pretty damn good. Cellbit thinks he could live off of festival food.

Then the dance is called. Cellbit and Roier join the other couples, lined up next to everyone else. There is an amount of discomfort from all the eyes, Cellbit can feel his skin prickle, but he shakes it off as the music starts.

Cellbit steps forward in time with the music. He dances with Roier and their friends, doing his best to remember all the right moves. It is far from perfect, Cellbit can admit it, but he almost prefers messing up to doing it right. When he messes up, Cellbit gets to see the way Roier laughs and tries to correct him, quietly teasing him for his mistakes.

The only thing that makes it better is the way their rings glint together in the light as they move, engaged and laughing and dancing.

YEAR 2: SUMMER, WEEK 1

Today is the day. Today is the day .

Cellbit can’t sit still. Or stand still. Or spend any amount of time being still.

He’s ready before the sun is even up. Cellbit is far too used to his farm schedule, he guesses. Roier prefers to sleep in, but he will have to learn to either rise with the sun or sleep through Cellbit in the mornings. And isn’t that a thought, that in just a few hours they will change the entirety of the ways they live?

In just a few hours, Cellbit will be sharing a bed. Roier will be fully moved out of his house with Jaiden (except, of course, for any weekend visits). Their schedules will revolve around each other. Their lives will revolve around each other. They will be husbands .

Cellbit still can’t really believe it. In just a few short hours, he will be married to Roier. He is almost waiting for Roier to reveal the joke, but he knows his guapito. That would be far too cruel.

His fingers straighten his lapel for what feels like the twentieth time in the last two minutes. He hasn’t pinned his flowers to his suit yet, Cellbit doesn’t want them getting messed up before even leaving his house.

He forces himself away from the mirror. Cellbit needs to stop before he wears a hole into his suit. At least it’s black, he doesn’t have to worry about any stains. Unless there is bleach or something. Wait, fuck, what if someone brings a bleach stick or something?

The stress feels kind of like it is eating away at Cellbit’s stomach lining. In an excited way, of course, but still. Roier would be able to calm Cellbit’s nerves. He wishes he could have his guapito with him, but Roier is busy getting ready with Jaiden. For their wedding. Because they’re getting married.

Cellbit thinks he might be shaking too much to do his hair. Hopefully Pac, Mike, and Felps show up soon, because there is absolutely no way Cellbit will make it all the way to the wedding without combusting.

He kind of just flits between the mirror and the middle of the house until his groomsmen show up, unsure of what to do with himself. As soon as they knock at the door, Cellbit slams it open, already talking a mile a minute. Even he doesn’t really know what he is saying.

“Cellbo, Cellbo, calm down!” Pac laughs, grabbing Cellbit by the shoulders. “You don’t have anything to worry about!”

“We just checked out town square,” Mike adds on, “and it looks fucking gorgeous. It’s perfect, man.”

“Roier will think so, too,” Felps finishes.

It is significantly easier to deal with everything with all of them here. Cellbit lets out a shaky breath.

“Okay. Okay, yeah.” Another breath, slightly deeper. “Can you guys help me do my hair and makeup? I don’t think I can.”

It’s their job to agree, so of course they all do. Felps takes over Cellbit’s face, lining his eyes in black and smearing a light coat of pink over his lips. Then he dusts something over Cellbit’s cheeks, Cellbit is pretty sure he can see glitter out of the corner of his eyes, and that’s it. Easy enough.

Pac and Mike take over hair in the meantime, four hands combing and fixing strands. They add some product, Cellbit isn’t sure what, and scrunch up Cellbit’s hair before placing it however they please. It could be relaxing if not for the fact that this is literally for Cellbit’s wedding.

They finish pretty quickly, too. Cellbit examines himself in the mirror, and he’s never been more grateful for his friends than he is now. He looks… good. Like today is his wedding.

“Thank you,” Cellbit chokes out.

Then it’s time for the three of them to get ready. They pull on their suits while talking shit about something Cellbit doesn’t really pay attention to. Their hair gets rearranged, makeup put on, and that’s practically it. Outside of the flowers, of course.

Felps affixes Cellbit’s flower to his suit jacket for him, smoothing over wrinkles.

“Almost time,” he says, then frowns and fixes a hair. “You ready?”

Cellbit closes his eyes. “I think so.”

“Not getting cold feet, are we? I think Jaiden would kill you if I didn’t get you first.”

“No,” Cellbit snorts, “I just…” He opens his eyes. “I want this to be perfect. You know?”

“It will be. We have worked literally nonstop to make sure that it is nothing less than perfect. Now all you have to do is show up.”

“And make it through the wedding.”

“And make it through the wedding,” Felps amends.

Somehow, the conversation helps to soothe Cellbit’s nerves. He manages to slip on his shoes and give himself one more once-over before leaving, his oldest friends at his side.

They walk into town square and Cellbit can’t bite back a gasp. It is decorated with flowers and streamers, all in red and pink and gold. Chairs sit in two sections, lined up perfectly. There is even an arch. Quartz sits in the center of it, sparkling beautifully in the sunlight. Cellbit doesn’t know how it manages to stay upright on the uneven stone, but it is gorgeous.

Friends and family bustle around, doing whatever last-minute adjustments they need. Then everyone finds their places and Cellbit is struck with the fact that this is actually happening. He is actually about to marry Roier.

He sets himself up beneath the arch, heart a steady beat in his chest. Cellbit catches Jaiden’s eye, nerves settling a little at her thumbs up and enthusiastic smile. She would tell him if anything went wrong. At least, if anything went ruined-wedding wrong.

Cellbit breathes deeply, half zoning out as all the processions go on. He takes as much time as he can to steady himself. Before he knows it, the music changes. The wedding march starts strong, chords ringing out and echoing off the surrounding buildings.

Everyone turns. They all stare, but no one so much as Cellbit, as Roier walks down the aisle. His chest is puffed out, sandwiched between Vegetta and Foolish, a goofy smile on his face. He has a white suit on, flowers the exact same as Cellbit.

How does Cellbit even describe him? Roier looks ethereal. He is deific, positively angelic. Cellbit can’t even blink, that would deprive him of precious moments of this vision of his fiance.

“Guapito,” Cellbit whispers, taking Roier by the hands when his dads pass him off. He means to thank them, but this vision of Roier makes all coherent thought disappear.

“Gatinho,” Roier responds, eyeing Cellbit appreciatively.

They stand with joined hands in front of Maxo, who begins reading from his script. Cellbit doesn’t hear a word the entire time until he is snapped out of his reverie at the sound of his name.

“Do you, Cellbit, take Roier to be your husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, til death do you part?”

“I do,” Cellbit says firmly. A promise.

“And do you, Roier, take Cellbit to be your husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, til death do you part?”

“I do!”

“Then I now pronounce you man and husband! You may now kiss the groom.”

Maxo doesn’t get a chance to finish before Roier is dragging Cellbit in, kissing him as the crowd cheers. Cellbit holds him close, cherishing this moment, knowing it will absolutely be the best moment of his life.

“Eu te amo,” Cellbit mumbles against his husband’s lips. There are no other words to describe how he’s feeling.

“Te amo también,” Roier replies.

Then he pulls Cellbit in again, the best start to their new lives that either of them could ask for.