Who: Ben and Fitz What: Birthday Surprise When: October 14th, afternoon Where: Ben's apartment and the clearing Rating: Low Status: Complete
Since his predawn walk and meditation the day before Ben was feeling a bit better, it had done its job of clearing his mind and giving him something else to focus on. He was a very lucky man, despite not having the job of his dreams or the freedom anymore he still had something he hadn’t had before - someone who loved him. And his sudden disappearance had worried Fitz, despite the note, and they had spent most of the morning just curled up together on the couch.
Monday morning dawned, it was his birthday and it wasn’t something that he usually bothered about but if Fitz wanted to do something for him to celebrate the day he wouldn’t say no, these kinds of things were exciting in a new relationship. He couldn’t deny his boyfriend anything, even if it was to do something crazy or stereotypical.
Fitz didn’t really have the opportunity to shop for Ben- not that there were a lot of options on the island if he could. But he still wanted to do something special. First, he surprised Ben with breakfast in bed and morning snuggles and sex. There was no rush to go anywhere. They had a lazy morning watching one of the few movies available on the island while snuggled on the couch. When the afternoon came upon them, Fitz kicked off the second round of birthday fun as they got dressed and went for a walk. Well- Fitz as a cat walking with Ben. They went to their spot in the woods.
In the clearing there was something covered by a towel. Fitz changed back into human form and pulled their blanket from it’s spot and set up a small picnic for them. In one of the tupperwares there was a white powdery substance as well as a water bottle that he set aside before serving up the simple meal of sandwiches, chips and fruit. There was also some cheese, meats and crackers for a little later. It had been easy to keep everything a secret as he’d packed his backpack while Ben had gotten ready and then changed into a cat, thus preventing any of the smells from escaping the bag on the walk over.
Ben would’ve been more than happy with the breakfast in bed, snuggles and sex, it was already a better present than he had gotten from a partner for years, hell it was a better present than he had gotten period! The movie on the couch and just curling up together was nice as well, so far it was there amongst the best days so far on this island. It would’ve been so much better if they were off the island but he knew he couldn’t have everything.
Walking down the street with Fitz, even in feline form was almost domestic and Ben liked it, they should really do this kind of things more often. The walk to their clearing was pretty normal, idle chatter between them and no clues as to what Fitz was bringing him out there for. Upon seeing the spread of food that was prepared for him Ben smiled. “Mon amour, you really didn’t have to do all this. I feel spoiled.” He smiled, sitting down and making himself comfortable on the blanket near the food. “Should I ask what you’re hiding from me?” A glance over at the towel.
“Your birthday present.” Fitz smirked. “And before you get too excited, it’s not what I really would have gotten you- but I had to work with what I had. And you’ll find out… after we eat.”
And they did. When they finished, Fitz grabbed the powder and water bottle and moved with Ben over to the towel. “Okay, ummm… close your eyes.” He said before pulling off the towel and prepping the surprise. “Okay, you can open them.”
On the ground below them was a pile of dirt with a hole dug out of it, in the shape of a volcano. “I wasn’t able to get any red food coloring… but we can imagine, yea?” He said as he offered Ben the container with baking soda. “You wanna do the honors?”
The food was delicious, sometimes simple was better. Who needed a five course feast when sandwiches and a mini cheese board was prepared by one's boyfriend? Ben would definitely be writing about this in the little journal that he kept.
He did as Fitz instructed, closing his eyes and letting the other man do whatever it was he was doing to prepare his birthday surprise. When his eyes opened and saw the little volcano he grinned, he hadn't made a vinegar and baking soda volcano since he was a kid. "I think I can imagine it." He said as he took the container from Fitz, still grinning like a fool.
Kneeling down with the container he started a countdown. "Trois... deux... un…" then began pouring the powder into the hole.
The reaction happened pretty fast, and the white goop bubbled up and over the dirt- well white and brown goop as it pulled a lot of the dirt with it. “I figured since I couldn’t bring you to something you love- I’d bring something you love to you.” Fitz said. “Or at least a smaller version of it.”
The grin never left his face as the frothy goop bubbled out of the dirt volcano and collected some along the way, of course it wasn’t as good as the real thing but nothing compared to seeing the raw power of mother nature. Ben thought that the whole idea of Fitz taking time out of his day to do this - just for him - was very touching and it was something that he didn’t think he deserved.
“I loved it. Thank you Fitz.” He wiped away some tears that appeared in his eyes before pulling Fitz his boyfriend into a firm hug, trying his best not to sniff as he buried his face into the other man’s neck.
Fitz embraced his boyfriend. “I love you… I just wanted today to be special.” He held Ben’s head supportively. “I know it’s probably really corny- but my options were sort of limited.” He chuckled slightly. “And I wanted to come up with something unique.” Something memorable. He’d have taken him to the bar in the market if he could have. Played pool or just hung out and had a good time. Maybe taken him to the movie playing or done something at the sports center. But, he couldn’t. He couldn’t do anything like that with Ben.
Was he being selfish? Being with Ben? Not giving him the chance to fall in love with someone who he could actually do things with?
“It will be a birthday I won’t forget, I haven’t shared my birthday with a partner since I was at university and even then they didn’t make me a volcano to celebrate.” Another kiss to Fitz’s neck. “I just wish I could take a photo of us here and all your hard work.” It wouldn’t surprise him if the government here was able to get the photos from his camera, he wouldn’t put anything past them.
Ben wouldn’t have wanted to go out to the bar if Fitz was able to, he knew there was a lot that the two of them were missing because his boyfriend ‘didn’t exist’ but it didn’t bother him, they did so much together and he felt like he knew Fitz so much more than he had any other partner in the past. It was all worth it.
Fitz pulled out his own phone. “We can.” His phone was protected, it was off the network, but had access to it through a bunch of security that went over even his head.
That made Ben smile and he stood back. “What are you waiting for.” He took Fitz’s hand and pulled the other man over so they could get a selfie in front of the volcano. Corny as it was Ben didn’t really care, there would be proof of this lovely day that wasn’t just in their memories.
He laughed and nuzzled Ben in the selfie. It was a sweet picture, almost normal.
Fitz slipped his phone into his pocket and his arms around Ben’s waist. “So, you want your birthday cookie now? Or after?” He asked, kissing the other man’s neck from behind.
It was as normal as they’d get and that was enough for Ben. He knew the risks and what some might call ‘disadvantages’ of their relationship, that everything was secret and the only people who knew would be him, Fitz, Kyrie and recently Ezra but none of these things bothered him. He might be just clouded in love or lust, or this might just be what life could be now.
“After? We just sit on the blanket and snuggle?” Though he wouldn’t mind if there was more than that.
He took Ben’s hand and lead him back to the blanket. Lunch had already been cleaned up so Fitz could lay back on the soft grass under the fabric and pull the other man close. Many times Ben ended up holding him. Things had been tough and Fitz had been on the edge a lot. But that day, his day, it was Fitz’ turn to hold his boyfriend.
Curling up against Fitz’s side Ben rested his head on that firm shoulder, eyes closed as those firm arms wrapped around him and held him close. This was definitely the best birthday he had in such a long time, probably ever.