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"You.."

You sneaky son of a bitch. He loves it. He's never felt so considered.

"Thank you," looking down at the plate. It's beautiful. This whole thing is beautiful. Chuck is beautiful.

And Raleigh is so grateful. He sets his glass down and takes a bite, the duck is perfectly cooked. Perfectly.

"Nnfh.. Chuck, this is amazing"

"Are you just saying that?" He looks a little anxious and worried, because he really has wasted like six fucking ducks and it's kind of embarrassing.

"Because I swear, Ray, I'll knock you into next week if you're lyin' to me--"

"I'm not lyinf-" through another mouthful. Waiting to swallow to talk? Nah.

"God this is perfect." It's then that he looks up and pauses to really mean what he says, leaning in a little.

"It's perfect, babe."

God that's such...validation. He perks up, visibly lightening, smile broad.

"Good. I..."

Exhale.

"I really tried for you. I wanted you to have a good dinner."

"It paid off."

Reaching for him across the table. Hold his hand you dumb asshole. Let him appreciate the hell out of you. Take chuck's hand a thumb his knuckles.

"For real. This means a lot to me."

He hasn't had something like this is a long time. He doesn't have to say, Chuck knows. The last time he celebrated getting older with anything more than a pack of beer and a tv dinner, Yancy was still alive.

He smiles, settling on his stool and smiling, reaching to lace fingers as he watches Raleigh eat. He's...proud of himself. He wanted this to be good and Raleigh seems genuine.

That's all he wanted.

"Good," he murmurs, using his free hand to try a bit, himself. And...fuck yeah, he did good. "You can have your actual gifts after dinner.":

He looks up, surprised as he eats. You did more? This is so much.

"Oh yeah?"

If it's a case of canned beans he's gonna give you a smack.

It might be, bitch.

"Yeah. I..." He fidgets a little, nervous. "Yeah, I've got stuff for you. Two things."

HA. He should have done that.

Wow. He. He's actually really touched, squeezing chuck's hand again before letting go to focus on the food. It's fucking amazing and needs his full attention.

"You really went above and beyond. Didn't have to do all this."

But if you don't think he's loving every second of it you'd be wrong.

You're lucky beans aren't on the menu. But he doesn't want to spoil it so he doesn't mention it.

"I wanted to."

He knows he didn't have to. He didn't have to do anything beyond maybe give an obligatory Happy Birthday, but he wanted to do all of this.

Means the world.

Raleigh smiles softly. He's had such a weird day and this makes it so much better.

Though he does have a sneaking suspicion maybe Chuck had something to do with it. Him and Nile are the only people he can think of that know his birthday. He thinks Nile knows.. He's not sure anymore. But apparently people have profiles on the network? And it gives out that information?? So honestly who knows. It could be anyone. It could be Deerington itself.

So they'll eat and it's amazing an.. really actually restaurant quality. Made with love. Specifically for him.

"Honest to god I think this is the best meal I've ever had." Once they're done and through more wine and sat back happy and full and warm.

It's totally, definitely Deerington. Not Chuck.

And...shit, it's good. Chuck did a damn good job -- all his practicing paid off, and it's fucking amazing. Not just edible, but amazing.

He's proud of himself. Yes, he is.

He smiles at Raleigh, pouring wine into his glass, eyes glittering with the praise.

"Yeah? You pulling me leg?"

Raleigh gives him a wry smile. You know he isn't. but he's happy to give the praise and nudges his boot against Chuck's under the table.

"On my mother's grave. You should be proud of yourself."

He half smiles, a sharp flash of a dimple as he hides his face.

"I wanted you to have something good. Are you ready for your first present?"

Leaning back in his chair, stance nice and wide, he watches Chuck with a mix of deep, warm appreciation, intrigue and mild cockiness.

"I'm lookin' right at him, aren't I?"

He laughs, surprised and turning a little pink.

"Shut up, no. Yes. I mean-- godammit, Ray," grumble!

Is his present a lap dance? Because he could be into that.

Raleigh laughs! Whaaat! Reaching out for him, c'mere. Get up and c'mere.

"I can't help it. Look at you."

LAter, maybe.

"Look at me," scoff. "What are you even saying, don't be silly."

Raaaaaay. What are you doing.

"I am lookin' at you, and I want you to c'mere," he purrs and gestures to his lap.

You are ridiculous.

But he obeys, and saunters over, sliding into Raleigh's lap.

"Your gifts are on the couch," he says, lips twisting up. "If you want them."

"I do," he says and settles his hands on Chuck's hips, tugging him close for a kiss.

"But I want this first."

Just a kiss or three. Slow and lapping. Warm. Centering. Grounding. He's had a very strange day and he needs cuddles first.

Then he'll let Chuck break the kiss and bring him to the couch with excitement, Raleigh's tags clinking under his shirt. All these months and he hasn't thought to take them off. That they're no longer needed.

Then again, maybe they are. People die here. Bodies are found.

Well that.

Is morbid, and not what's on Chuck's mind.

But he grins, against Raleigh's mouth, nipping his lower lip before sliding off and going for the two gifts.

One is a in a big tube roll, the other, a small little box.

"Here."

Raleigh gets the tube first, because...it's bigger and while still personal, less...intimate. Maybe.

He's had a lot of morbid shit on his mind lately.

This is a nice distraction.

Raleigh takes the tube, turning it over in his hands carefully as he examines it and then opens the end, sliding out what looks to be a poster before looking up at Chuck with silent question. What did you do..

He smiles, a little shy, settling into a chair to watch him.

Take it out of the tube and you’ll see, Raleigh. You’ll see it’s that beautiful poster of you and yancy, and across both your names, scrawled signatures from each of You.

"Oh my god.." soft and full of awe as he unrolls it and sees what it is, full of flashbacks. He remembers signing this in Manila. He'd held it up against Yancy's back and then turned for him to do the same. He can still feel the sharpie gliding across his back.

The same way his finger glides so reverently across his brother's signature.

It's like an arrow to his heart and he finds a sudden lump in his throat he wasn't expecting. It keeps him from saying anything else as he swallows, jaw suddenly tight but only to keep it from trembling.

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