"Piiiiittttchh," he whined. "What do you want for your birthday?"

"Jack, I'm not helping you buy my own birthday present," Pitch teased, scrubbing his wet hair with his towel.

"But I don't know what to get you!" Jack looked over at him. "I'm definitely trying to finish your book in time. You did so much for my birthday, though, I feel like that's not enough."

"I'm not picky. Just...go with your instinct."

"My instincts are telling me you've pretty much already gotten everything you want."

"Hey, come here." Pitch pulled Jack close. "You're really stressing over this, aren't you?"

Jack melted against him, not caring that Pitch's dampness was seeping into his clothes. "Between Christmas and the book and my birthday, you've done so much for me. I usually pride myself on being a great gift giver, but I'm just drawing a blank on this."

Pitch smiled and pressed their lips together. "My birthday is in four days. I've seen you come up with ideas in four minutes. Four days should be no problem."

"You have such faith in me. I hope I can live up to it." Jack pulled away. "Stay away from my thinking room though. I don't want you spoiling your book for yourself."

"I wouldn't dream of it. You've almost growled every time I've asked about it. I'll be patient."

"Good. Just because I love you doesn't mean you get sneak peeks."

"Okay, okay. No sneak peeks. In exchange-" Pitch titled Jack's head up with his finger. "I want to have my way with you tonight."

"You have your way with me all the time. Why's this time any different?"

"I have some new things in mind. More adventurous. I want full permission to do whatever I want to you."

"You have it, as always."

"Good boy," Pitch teased and nuzzled Jack's nose. "Now, I have to get dressed. You have kept me thoroughly preoccupied, but I do have to work."

"Have a good day at the store. Let me know if you need anything, okay?" Jack looked down at his wet shirt and went into the closet to change it.

"I will. Don't forget, I'm meeting you for lunch, 12:30, the Black Swan Cafe."

"I'll be there. Wouldn't miss a chance to spend time with you."

"So cute," Pitch chuckled, giving him a quick kiss on his way out. "See you then."

"Love you!" He pulled on a new shirt and waved him off. Pitch waved back and drove off, heading to work.

What are you up to, cutie?

Jack smiled at his phone. Nothing much. Just working on your gift. What about you, handsome?

Restocking. Looking at your new book with a smile on my face. Feels good to be dating Jack Frost.

Glad I make you smile even while I'm not around. Are they selling well?

Very much so. Business is booming. I think they're hoping to see you.

Do you think I should give them the satisfaction? It might ruin our lunch plans.

Wear that pair of glasses I like and your sweatshirt. You can sneak in the back and be my assistant ;)

They'll see right through my disguise. There's not exactly many people with white hair walking around. Jack chuckled at the suggestion.

No one will see you. I plan on keeping you locked away. At least until lunch. 3

I'll be there as soon as I can. Just have to run by the store really quick on my way there.

Okay. Don't take too long. I have some kisses for you.

Jack let himself in the back door with the key Pitch had given him. He felt adequately disguised with the glasses he used when he was writing and his hair tucked up under a beanie. After setting his backpack down in the back room, he went out to the front desk to find Pitch. "What can I do to help?"

"Hey, cutie." Pitch quickly kissed Jack's cheek. "I have some boxes in the back. Want to restock out here for me?"

"I can do that." He went and grabbed one of the boxes with a smile and got to work.

When it was time for lunch, Pitch came up behind Jack and kissed his neck. "Come on, cutie. Lunchtime for you."

"Lunchtime already?" Jack resisted the urge to giggle as he leaned back against his lover. "Time flies when you're having fun, I guess."

"I think so. I've been watching you shake these cute hips since you got here."

"It's not my fault you pick such catchy music for the store."

"I've seen you dance. What you were doing was teasing."

"Me? I'd never do anything like that."

"You would definitely do something like that."

"Only with someone I really love."

Pitch hummed and turned Jack around for a kiss. "You are incorrigible."

"I know." Jack's arms wrapped around his neck with a grin. "I also know you love it."

"Of course I do! You know I can't resist your cute hips."

"That was the plan. Now let's get out of here before we do anything naughty in your very public little shop."

Pitch smiled and grabbed his keys before dragging Jack out of the shop. "You know you would love to be naughty in my shop."

"I'll admit to being tempted, but I also don't want to get caught."

"Maybe after closing time," Pitch teased.

"Someday, maybe." Jack tangled their fingers together as they walked.

"Hmm…" Pitch smiled as he thought, strolling down the street with Jack towards the cafe.

"Why does it sound like you fully intend to have sex someday in your shop?"

"Oh, I do. I already know exactly what I'll do to you, the noises you'll make. I just won't tell you when."

Jack burst out laughing. "And you say I'm the incorrigible one?"

"You love it, cutie."

"I do. Wouldn't want you any other way."

"I know. You love how much I desire you."

"Of course I do. I get to reap the benefits, after all."

"And I think you enjoy having someone hopelessly devoted to you."

"I love having it. Especially when it's you." He leaned his head against the taller man's shoulder.

"I'm guessing you're just as wrapped around my finger as I am around yours."

"You have no idea."

"You're mine for life, aren't you?"

Jack smiled up at him. "I am. Don't plan on going anywhere."

"Alright. So how would you say your birthday is going so far?" Jack walked alongside his boyfriend to their front door. "I tried to plan all of your favorite things in one day."

"Well, first you made my favorite breakfast, then we saw that movie I've been talking about for weeks. Then there was the picnic and the boat ride. So far, pretty perfect."

"There's still one more thing I have to give you though. I wanted to save your gift for last."

"Ah, my present. My book and this secret other thing."

"No secrets. It's all part of the gift." He hung up his coat inside the door. "Why don't you take a seat on the sofa while I go grab some drinks and your gift?"

"Drinks? You must be proud of yourself." Pitch hung up his coat and flopped down on the couch. "I vote you treat yourself to a large."

"Don't get too excited. It's only your favorite tea," Jack laughed when he returned with two mugs and a package under his arm.

"Come on. I have that special bottle of wine I've been saving. Share it with me."

"Maybe later. For now, open your gift."

"Fine, fine." Pitch crossed his legs on the couch and held his hands out.

Jack set the wrapped book in his hands and stood behind him to read over his shoulders, arms dangling around Pitch. The title read "Fated to Love You." The beginning pages were filled with young Pitch and Jack's adventures together and even their little wedding ceremony.

Pitch smiled, slowly turning the pages over. "So this is how you saw me."

"You were pretty handsome even as a kid. It was obvious how good looking you were going to be when you grew up."

"Ah, so that's why you wouldn't share me with anyone."

"It would have been silly of me to share. Someone might have stolen you away from me."

Pitch leaned back and smiled up at Jack. "Jealous even then."

"Yes, I was." Jack nodded and motioned for him to keep reading. "There's still lots more good stuff to read." The story transitioned after the boys' sadness at being parted to a familiar grocery store scene.

"I remember this part," Pitch purred affectionately, reaching a hand up to run his fingers through Jack's hair.

"I'd hope so," he chuckled. "It was less than a year ago, after all."

"I wonder how the story ends."

"You'll have to keep reading to find out. I think it might be a happy ending." The following pages chronicled the memorable scenes of their relationships as adults. Everything from their first dates, meeting Nympha, and discovering Jack Frost's identity to discussions of a future family and moving in together. Jack smiled at the page about his birthday and how the character Jack was so filled with love by Pitch's actions. "I don't think I've ever had a birthday as good as that one."

"It was a pretty good day." Pitch turned the page and frowned in confusion at the scene of Jack running around frantically.

"Keep reading, and you'll understand." The next pages were the events of that very day following everything they'd done for the man's birthday up to a scene of them sitting on the couch exactly as they were. The details were exact down to the clothes they were wearing and even how they were positioned. As the book Pitch turned a page, Jack in the book knelt on one knee next to him, pulling something from his pocket. Jack followed suit in person.

Pitch chuckled. "That's funny. It almost looks like you're proposing."

Jack gently took the book from the man's hands and drew his gaze over to the ring box he was holding out to him. He nervously gulped. "I am."

"You are? Oh…" Pitch froze, looking down at the box in Jack's hand. "Oh, okay. Um...start over."

"Well, you know how much I was freaking out about what to get you for birthday?" Jack's words tumbled out nervously. "Well, I've been thinking for months now that I'm ready to take this step with you, and I know you have been for forever but didn't want to unless you were sure I was ready. But you wouldn't have known unless I just flat out told you so I figured at that point I may as well just ask you myself because what could be more meaningful than that right? It'd be a ton better than just blurting out that I'm ready to get married randomly. So I thought your birthday would be the perfect time to do it because you're always saying how the only thing you want is me and by proposing I'd be giving you essentially myself but then I got nervous and I'm screwing it all up," he took a deep breath.

"Yes."

"B-but I didn't even ask properly!" He stared at Pitch in shock.

"Ask me then!"

"Can I use a cheat sheet?" Jack picked up the book with a nervous smile.

Pitch took the book from Jack's hand and leaned forward. "Will you marry me, Pitch?" He smiled. "Yes, Jack Frost. I will marry you."

"Hey, that's my line," Jack teasingly whined. "So you're really saying yes?"

"Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Ask me properly so I can kiss you senseless."

"Well, I think what I wrote was something along the lines of 'I've loved you since we were kids, and I'll love you forevermore.' It was much more profound in the book. Will you marry me, Pitch Black?"

"Yes. Just as you loved me then, I loved you. Just as you'll love me forever, my heart is yours for forever and a day." Pitch smiled and pulled Jack up onto the couch, pressing him down into the leather as they kissed.

Jack laughed giddily, his heart filling with joy. "I should have left the proposing to you after all. You're much better at it than me."

"I liked your version. You're so cute when you babble like an idiot."

"Hey! You just agreed to marry that idiot."

"I did, and I fully intend on making love to that idiot on this couch right now."

"You know…" Jack's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "It might not be in the book- I had to keep it rated G to be safe and all…" He reached under the couch cushion and pulled out a few condoms. "But I totally knew you were going to say that."

"There are quite a number of condoms right there." Pitch smiled and slowly tugged Jack's shirt over his head. "I have another book commission for you."

"And what would that be?"

"I want a non-G rated version."

"I'll keep that in mind for your next birthday," Jack chuckled and reached into the crack in the couch again. This time he pulled out a bright blue bow and stuck it to his messy hair with a grin. "For now I think you should focus on unwrapping your birthday gift."

"A bow? Really?" Pitch chuckled and leaned down, scraping his teeth along Jack's collarbone.

"I thought I'd stick to my theme of being cheesy. Oh!" With a shiver, he reached down to grab the discarded box and take out the ring, sliding it onto Pitch's finger. "Almost forgot the most important part of all that."

"Can't forget that." Long fingers tugged Jack's pants down. "We are officially engaged now."

Jack laughed. "It only took us like twenty years after our first marriage to do it."

"Little could our child selves know." Pitch hummed and smiled as Jack watched him slowly tear one square packet from the strip of condoms. "Now, I plan on using every single one of these. And then, I might just have you without one."

Jack gulped loudly, pleasure already making his stomach clench in anticipation. "Let's get to it then."

"Shall we have a large wedding or a small one?"

"I think a small one would suit us fine. Just family and a few close friends." Jack's fingers danced across the man's bare chest.

Pitch hummed and rubbed his hand over Jack's rear. "Where will we have it? Here?"

"The place doesn't matter to me much. I guess we could have it here. The backyard is well kept and plenty open enough."

"I meant in town."

"Ah. Is there somewhere in town you were thinking of?"

"Not really. I haven't really given the wedding much thought. I just know that I want you."

"Same here." Jack smiled and touched the golden band sitting on Pitch's finger.

"I didn't hurt you, did I? We've never done it without a condom before."

"Hmm?" He looked up at him with a confused look. "Of course not. You know I'd tell you if anything hurt. It actually felt…" His cheeks flushed a bit. "Really good. A little weird at the end though."

"You'll have to get used to keeping it inside you."

"I'm sure I will. For the first time, though, it was a very different feeling."

"Sorry. I should have warned you I was going to do it."

"Don't be sorry. I still enjoyed it, didn't I?"

"You sounded like you did." Pitch chuckled. "Your pleas for more were a start."

"You sounded like you liked it too."

"I always like making love to you."

"A little more than usual this time."

"You were particularly enthusiastic this time. I liked when you did that one thing with your mouth. Very creative."

"My lover has convinced me that coming out of my shallow, little box every once in awhile isn't so bad."

"I'll have to thank him. He's made you quite the adventurous little minx."

"Glad you approve." Jack snickered and settled against him tiredly. "I'm really very happy you said yes."

"How could I not? I'm absolutely, desperately in love with you."

"How do you think Seraphina will take the news?"

"I think she'll be excited to know you'll be her new mummy."

"No way am I a mommy," he laughed.

"I guess not, but you'll totally be the fun parent."

"I'll try not to make you look too boring," Jack joked. His fingers paused in the caressing. "Am I...really going to be like a parent? To her? You're okay with that?"

"Of course. We're your family now. You belong to us."

"It's hard to take in sometimes. That I'll actually be happily in love and even get a chance to be a dad."

"It's a beautiful future." Pitch ran his fingers lazily through Jack's hair. "We want you almost as much as you want us."

Jack chuckled, melting against him. "Almost as much."

"Thank you for choosing us."

"I didn't choose you, fate did. But thank you for choosing that day to buy cereal."

"Thank Seraphina. I eat oatmeal," Pitch chuckled and kissed his forehead.

"Ah. I should have known. I'll have to make sure to spoil her extra as thanks for bringing us together again."

"Then she'll really love you."

"So you think another princess party would suffice?" Jack teased. "Or maybe a special bonding day with her new 'mommy'?"

"That would work. You could tell her how you've wooed her daddy and now we'll be a family."

"You wouldn't mind if I did that? Get jealous or think I'm stealing your baby or anything?" He poked Pitch in the side.

"She'll always love me most, but I want her to love you as more than Mr. Frost."

"I'm glad I won't have to deal with your jealousy over your daughter." Jack smiled. "Your jealousy of other men is enough to deal with already."

"Not my fault I don't want anyone touching my cutie," Pitch purred affectionately.

A dark eyebrow raised as he gave Pitch a look. "To the point of practically growling at most of the men I even talk to?"

"There's still time to back out if it's too much for you."

"No way. It's a little annoying about eight percent of the time. The other ninety-two it's sort of endearing."

"Eight percent?" Pitch rolled over on top of Jack, teasingly nibbling at the ticklish spots on Jack's neck. "You know you love it one hundred percent of the time."

"I love you one hundred percent of the time." Jack wiggled beneath him with a laugh. "Your jealousy, on the other hand...can be a bit intense at times."

"I'm sorry. I'll stop."

"No you won't." He booped Pitch's nose. "I don't want you to either. It's who you are. Plus you're always so serious and stoic; you're cute when you get jealous."

"It's just…" Pitch sighed and nuzzled Jack's neck. "You're so beautiful. Anyone would be a fool to not desire you. I don't want to lose you again to someone richer or more handsome."

"You won't lose me to anyone; I promise. There's a reason I've been single all this time. I've been waiting for the absolute perfect person. I wouldn't have proposed to you if I had any doubts at all you weren't that person."

"Still gonna be jealous," Pitch mumbled as he wrapped his arms around Jack.

"I know you will." Jack smiled and kissed the man's forehead.

"Jack...do you get jealous when I talk to other men?"

"A little. I've never been one for much jealousy. I'm much more of a go with the flow. If something's going to happen, it'll happen."

"So you don't get jealous over me?"

"Maybe of your books and Seraphina. Those are really the only things I ever have to compete with for your attention."

"Really?" Pitch looked up at Jack. "Am I really that predictable?"

"Just a little bit. Don't worry. I like predictable. Predictable is safe and homey. I don't have to worry about losing you."

"I can't help that I'm too in love with you to notice anyone else."

"I like it that way. So don't change please." Jack couldn't hold back a huge yawn.

"For you, never. Your wish is my command."

"Good. Now, time for bed. You thoroughly exhausted me tonight." He smiled affectionately.

"Just the way you like it," Pitch whispered, kissing Jack's chest. "Sleep, my love."

"Happy birthday, Pitch. Love you," Jack mumbled as he nodded off.

"I love you too, Jack." He nuzzled against Jack and quickly fell asleep.