Gilbert's hand were shaking, causing the dinner table to shake as well. His Birdie hadn't arrived yet.

"He's rarely late... what if he... no, Birdie wouldn't ditch me."

He sat at the finely decorated dining table in his apartment, the room dimly lit by candles. Gilbert had spent hours making the room perfect and when he was done, he was still worried it wasn't good enough. A white table-cloth draped over the ends of the small table, each plate was white with a gold decorative rim around it with a red napkin resting on top.

Gilbert sighed, "This is so unawesome. I'm getting anxious about Birdie being ten minutes late."

As he finished speaking, there was a knock on the door. He hurried to the door but paused for a second when he reached it to calm down. Gilbert adjusted his tie, red to match the decorations, and looked out the peep hole. Birdie was standing outside, lilac-eyes shinning in the light, he was wearing a dress shirt with a grey vest and a dark purple tie.

Gilbert opened the door and hugged his boyfriend, "Birdie! You look awesome."

"Thanks," Birdie blushed as Gilbert let go, "I'm really sorry for being late but Alfred was causing trouble with our neighbour again." Birdie entered the apartment.

"The guy with the big eyebrows?"

"Yeah, I think Al likes him or something." Birdie was about to continue when he noticed how dressed up the dining area was. "Wow Gil, did you do this for me?"

Gilbert smiled, "Anything for mein Birdie, now sit and I'll get dinner."

As Gilbert left for the kitchen, he imagined Birdie sitting at that table looking adorably awesome.

He lifted the lid off the pot on the stove-top to check on his beef stew. It smelt great and Gilbert poured some into two gold-rimmed bowls and after turning off the stove he carried the bowls to the table.

"I know it's not very fancy but I don't know a lot of recipes." Gilbert placed a bowl in front of his Birdie and took the seat across him.

"Why did we get all dressed up if it's not that fancy?" Matthew asked in a questioning tone.

"Don't tell me you forgot!"

"What?

Gilbert smiled at his forgetful little Birdie, "Did you really forget your own birthday."

"You remembered? I completely forgot." Birdie looked slightly embarrassed.

"Well Happy Birthday! You're twenty-one now." Gilbert could see happiness in his Birdie's eyes. "Now eat up, I have a surprise for you."

Gilbert and Matthew ate the stew at a steady pace, sharing stories about their day or anything that sounded interesting.

"Did you like it?" Gilbert asked as he collected Birdie's emptied bowl.

Birdie nodded, "It was really tasty."

"But not as good as your pancakes."

Birdie laughed, Gilbert knew it was time.

"Birdie, how long have we been dating?" Gilbert asked, looking straight into Matthew's eyes.

"About four years." Birdie watched his red-eyed lover with curiosity. "Why?"

"Tell me the truth... Are you happy?"

"Am I...? Of course I'm happy! I love you... and I thought you loved me too..."

Gilbert grabbed Matthew's hands, "I do love you! But I just wanted to make sure I'm keeping you happy because I know I brag about being awesome but..." He paused, "I can't be awesome if I can't be a good boyfriend to you."

Birdie entwined their fingers.

"You're the best boyfriend ever."

Gilbert's hands were shaking again, "Ok..."

Gilbert pulled his hands away and reached into his pocket.

"Matthew..."

Matthew looked at him in shock, he'd never called him his real name before.

"Will you marry me?"

Happy tears rolled down Matthew's pink cheeks, "Yes."

Then they kissed, as if a promise to spend the rest of their lives with each other.