“So…what’s next on our agenda?” Aster piped up from where he sat, opening the picnic basket settled by their feet. “Perhaps we can take a walk down to the beach? Or stop by that new little book shop in town. Alphys said you might like it.”
Gaster mumbled something unintelligible from where he sat against a nearby tree, squinting as his husband lifted the top hat from his face. He blinked away the sunlight, replying, “We could also just nap the afternoon away, don’t you think?”
“I wouldn’t mind, if that’s your preference. But we should pack our things away first.”
Aster smiled, coaxing the other to sit upright, offering him an arm. Gaster sighed with a small smirk, shaking off grogginess and moving to lend a hand. The two quickly stacked plates and glasses back into their nest of wicker, the blanket under them emptied of their quiet midday meal.
Granted, they’d already had quite an eventful day, so the ringleader had every right to feel a nap call his name. Anniversaries were a special time in their lives, and so they always reserved those occasions for themselves, spiriting away to explore more of the world they’d turned into their safe haven. Of course, no one could interrupt them when they ran away like this, either. It was nice to feel alone together.
Eventually, both of them had settled down against the knitted fabric beneath, staring up at a sunny sky, framed by the wildflowers surrounding them. It was a kaleidoscope of colors for miles; the flora of both universes intermingled, swaying in the gentle breeze.
“You’ve been yawning so much, Gaster. You’re not thatold yet, are you?” Aster teased, glancing over as he put his chin against his partner’s shoulder. “Maybe the flowers are making you drowsy.”
“Mmm. Or maybe you’re so comfortable to cuddle with, I don’t feel inclined to stay awake.”
Gaster chuckled, looking at his loving husband with a familiar gleam in his eyes. Slowly, he lifted his hand, waving it overhead. Aster glanced at him with a quirked brow, curious as the ringleader opened up a console, rifling through endless lines of code with noticeable intent.
“What’s gotten your attention, dear?”
“I almost forgot to show you. Take a look at this,” he said, summoning a drop-down network of commands, stopping to let his finger hover over one sub-folder in particular. “What do you see?”
“Hm? Oh…what is that?”
[ZT_Week_22_.zip]
Aster blinked in curiosity, motioning for his partner to open it. Gaster easily complied, filling their skyward view with dozens of images, each more colorful than the last. Slowly, as he scrolled down through all of the ornate artworks and texts, the skeleton found his face softening with a warm smile.
“Well, well. These are our gifts, I take it?”
“I think so,” the other said, voice hitting bittersweet notes. “They’ve kept their promise not to meddle, so I’m grateful. But they haven’t kept our lives a secret, either. Our audience is a bit bigger than I’d have expected.”
“Oh–look at that one!” Aster stopped his hand, beaming as he saw their faces illustrated in brimming joy, reflecting them perfectly. So many interpretations, unique and wonderful in their own ways…all made with love, given the dedication and charm each possessed. “Ink would have a field day with these.”
“Which is why I saved them to show you first,” Gaster whispered, smoothly peppering his cheek with kisses. “Inkling might have ruined the surprise.”
“Well–I’m flattered.”
The skeleton chuckled, draping an arm over Gaster’s chest as the images continued to flicker by. Both were eager to comment, laughing over some, reminiscing over others. Even when reminded of hard times, they seemed to find the best in all things. They were too happy to do otherwise.
When the folder had reached the end of its list, Gaster closed the program, moving to shut the console down. His husband stopped him, however, propping himself up on an elbow to execute a few commands of his own.
“Did something come to mind?” asked the ringleader, helping keep his partner upright with a hand. “You seem quite focused.”
“Well, I’m grateful for all I’ve seen, but I have to wonder if we’re leaving ourselves a bit too open for prying eyes.” The skeleton chuckled, looking back at Gaster with a sly wink. “For now, I think it best if we advocate for a bit of privacy. Especially on our special day.”
“Ah. Right.”
Gaster blushed with a quiet laugh, watching the module spring to life as it set to work masking their data. Given how distracted he was by the text that flickered there, he was amply surprised to find his husband settled against him, smoothly wrapping his arms around his shoulders. Any further inquiry was stowed away for later, their mouths greeting as Aster surprised him with a sweet, tender kiss.
“There,” he murmured, looking at his other half with all of the love in the world. “Now, we can finally–”
