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It was February 13th, a day before Mark and Wallter's 4th anniversary of being married. Of course, a couple of days before Wallter's birthday, too, Mark couldn't forget that. But what he did forget was to get Wallter flowers. Ever since they first got together, Wallter gave off hints that he would like flowers as a gift. Mark didn't quite catch them, thinking that Wallter was being his usual snobby self before he got more direct, and then out-telling him that he would like flowers.
Now here he was, at one of his local floral shops after work, gazing over the Valentine's selection. There was a sale, with all the flowers in the store half off, which Mark personally enjoyed. Yet... It was hard. Incredibly hard to find what Wallter liked, flower-wise. But in the end, Mark's quick thinking led him to assume he just wanted something romantic, like roses. Then he leaned over, grabbing a bouquet that he thought Wallter would like.
Most of it was roses, accented with red, white carnations, and bits of baby breath wrapped up together. Mark immediately bought it alongside a cheesy Valentine's card at the cashier's register. When he got back in his truck and set the flowers down on his passenger's seat, hot sap ran to his cheeks. He just couldn't believe that he was doing this. He never thought he would find himself in this position until now.
Grumbling underneath his breath, he closed the door and reached for a pen from his glove box. He wrote, 'going onto our 4th year... I love you tons, man. you're the light of my life, my everything. sorry if I didn't get you anything the years before, it changes now. I really, really love you, brick boy- love, your marky boy"
Mark quickly shut the card after messily writing the last letter, his gaze averted, his heart rate quickening, and his breathing becoming heavy. He let out a low groan, lolling his head onto the car headrest, and he covered his eyes. "I cannot believe 'm even doin' this." His Southern drawl was anguished, yet masking what he truly felt.
Now here he was, home with flowers and a card in hand. All Mark could feel at the moment was anxiety, himself not sure for what reason. He has known Wallter for a long time; he knows he won't freak out or anything like that. But... Again, he has never ever done this before with anyone. He wasn't allowed to date and explore whatever he desired when he was younger. Wallter is his first love and always will be.
Audible gulping within the silence of his truck, he got out with the gifts in hand. Slamming the truck behind him as he jumped out, each step he took felt heavy and slow towards the front door. He slowly and shakily reached for the keys in his pocket once he reached his destination, before Wallter suddenly opened the door.
Wallter was grinning ear to ear when he spoke. "Hello, dear! Welcome—" He cut himself off when he noticed the flowers in his husband's hands.
"Shit! Ye weren't supposed t' see this, this soon!" Mark squeaked out in a panicked state, immediately trying to cover the bouquet behind himself before Wallter stopped him. His large, clay hand gripped his wooden wrist and quickly dragged him inside. Wallter shut the front door behind them both, his expression unreadable.
"Mark..." He finally spoke after a long couple of seconds, his glasses glinting in the sunlight pouring in from the front door's window. Mark was about to answer him before Wallter suddenly leaned in to kiss him. It was long and meaningful, as if he were saying thanks. He pulled away for air, gasping sharply before kissing Mark all over his face. Wallter wrapped his long arms around Mark, embracing him. "Oh goodness! Thank you! I really appreciate it, dear!"
Meanwhile, his small, wooden husband let out a small grunt as Wallter kissed him on his cheeks, nose, everywhere he could find. Hot sap ran to his cheeks once again, flustered by what Wallter was doing. "Wallts'!.." He managed to gasp out, pulling away with a surprised look on his face. Of course, Wallter loosened his grip on Mark's body, tilting his head expectantly with a wide smile on his face. "I mean—"
"You mean what?" Wallter asked when Mark stuttered, fluttering his eyes down at his husband. The cheekiness of that phrase hit Mark like a train, making him even more flustered. He let out a small 'guh' whilst flinching away. The state of Mark made Wallter feel gratified, and he leaned in to hug his husband once again. "My, My! No need to be like that, sweetheart! You did something nice for me... by providing me with my preferred type of flower... Such a romantic group of flowers, too... I love you, truly."
"I love ya too, Wallts'," Mark uttered, relaxing his muscles and leaning towards Wallter's touch. He nuzzled his face against his chest, breathing in his earthy musk. He didn't know what Wallter's favorite flower was until now, roses. Thankfully, he was a quick thinker, including keeping a poker face at the right times. "Just somethin' I wanted to get ya for our upcomin' 4th anniversry of bein' wed, darlin'. I know how much ya like roses, so uhh... I got ye 'em."
The plastic of the bouquet rattled as he slowly leaned back, placing the flowers between them. "They had a sale goin' on so... That's why I got 'em fer ya so early, ya know..?" His Southern drawl was savoury, a tone reserved for Wallter and Wallter only. This was an awkward, intimate moment, at least for Mark. He felt uncomfortable and vulnerable, but he knew it was an automatic reaction from back in his past.
"Mmm... Really? Quite unfortunate that I wasn't able to prepare a fancy dinner for you this evening in return." Wallter gave Mark a peck on the forehead, his fingers running through his splinter-like hair before taking the flowers from his hand. His touch lingered more than usual, his soft clay fingers grazing the waxed wood of Mark's joints before pulling away. Mark watched as he sauntered, his gaze accidentally catching a glimpse of the sway of his hips.
He quickly averted his gaze, insulting himself for looking too much. Then he began to look around his surroundings to take his mind off what had happened. Wooden figures that Mark had carved for Wallter sat on the shelves. All of it is composed of birds, but a particular one stood out. A pair of swans nuzzling their beaks against one another, he painted one of them grey to symbolize him and Wallter together.
Besides the swans, it was their wedding photo. Encased with a black frame, the two stood side by side. Mark was noticeably smaller than Wallter but that didn't matter; the joy shown on both of their faces was the star. Including Wallter, his suit was bright white with a blue tie, a bright pink peony stuffed in his chest pocket.
He couldn't believe such a man would want to marry him. Especially forever, he couldn't imagine the life they would have moving onwards... Their 5th year, their 6th year...
"Marky!"
Mark immediately snapped out of his thoughts once Wallter called out for him. "Yeah?" He yelled back, walking to where Wallter preamussing was.
"Can you be a dear and order takeout for me? I... Unfortunately feel lazy today." Wallter said, dramatically sighing, which earned a smirk from Mark. The flowers were settled in a glass cup, supposedly their temporary place before Wallter buys a real vase for them.
Mark was glad to choose this life.