Birthday???

“Dougie!”

Doug had been out on the farm of their blazin’ home, tending to their prickle pears. He rose his brows as he heard his husband calling for him from inside their little home.

“What?” He yelled.

“Get on in, darlin’, the asteroids are comin on again!” He heard his Tal yell back. Doug sighed gruffly, prodding at the soil a couple moments more and getting nudged by his service slime, before making his way inside. His service slime closed the door behind them.

When Doug walked into the house, he could smell the dinner Tal was cooking in the air. It smelled savory and sweet, like hen-hen and a dessert of some kind. Doug was used to having hen-hen every night, but it was still his favorite. He heard Tal smile at him and hum softly.

“Why hello there, Dougie. I’ve got a surprise for ya. Come sit on down.” Doug felt his husband take his hand and lead him to their little table. Whatever he had going on, he sure was excited for it. Tal sat him down in his seat and pushed the chair in. “What kinda drink you want, sweetheart?”

Doug sighed softly, feeling Tal press his face against his head and scratch his forehead with his scruff. He picked at his prosthetic arm.

“Water’s fine, sugar. What’s got you all worked up, today?”

Tal moved to get him what he asked for. Doug quietly missed his presence as he heard water pouring.

“Well, I was looking through all your fake documents, and I found the real deal.” He said.

“What’s that got to do with anything?” The cowboy said, starting to get defensive. His past wasn’t something that they talked about often - and really, he was afraid of Tal finding all the shit he’d done, and not loving him anymore.

“Well, it’s your birthday, silly!” Tal said. He sat down the cup, and grabbed Doug’s head to kiss it. Doug sat there dumbfounded.

“My what?”

“BIRRTHDAAAY. Are you going deaf, too?”

Doug heard the rustle of Tal removing food from the oven. “Chicken and pogo pie. It’s always been your favorite, hmm?”

Now that Doug was starting to take all this in, a small smile was starting on his face.

“You found out my birthday just for this?” He said. Tal sat plates of food down for the both of them, grabbed Doug’s face, and planted a kiss on his lips.

“I did. And I know you’re still only startin’ to understand relationships, so this is when you thank me, kiss me, and dig in.”

Doug’s hesitant smile only grew. He did just that.

“Thank you, sugar. I love ya.”

Tal watched him eat with a goofy grin on his face. Not that Doug could see.

"Happy birthday, Dougie."