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Shifting on the bed with a sigh that was equal parts anticipation and anxiety, Jean let his eyes slip shut. It felt so strange to touch himself with his husband just outside the bedroom door, but there was no other way that felt right to do this. He wanted to surprise Marco as much as possible for his birthday. Allowing him to come in and help would have spoiled both surprises to different degrees. That’s why Jean had to do this–fasten his body chains and slide a thick purple vibrator up his ass–alone.
“Are you sure about this? I really won’t be upset if you decide this is too much,” Marco called through the door.
Jean laughed breathlessly. With the vibrator halfway inside him and the body chains all in place, it seemed a little late to be having doubts. It was sweet of Marco to check in, but they’d discussed this more than enough times for Jean to be confident he wanted to do this. He was certain Marco wanted it, too, but even in Marco’s most certain moments, he never wanted to force anything on the people he cared about.
“I’m sure, Marco. I’ll be out soon.” Jean exhaled and continued pushing the vibrator in, humming with satisfaction at how full it made him.
When it finally slid in completely, Jean bit his lip and smiled. The toy was big enough to feel without question, but not so big that it would keep Marco from having a good time later if they ended up going that direction. Of course, Jean figured Marco would have a good time being in control of the vibrator while they went out to dinner, too.
Jean rolled to his feet and made a noise of surprise at how the toy moved. It felt good, in a strange way. Jean took note of how it felt as he went about getting dressed, hiding his body chains under a loose blue button-down that tucked into simple black slacks. Opening the door before going back to sit on the floor and slide his dress shoes on, Jean flashed Marco a smile. He swiped the remote off of the bed and held it out, pointedly staying seated on the floor as he did so.
Taking the remote and tossing it between his hands, Marco looked excited. Jean was about to ask if he was ready to go when he saw Marco push the plus button on the remote. Jean’s words died in his throat as the toy started vibrating a split second later. It was on the weakest setting, but the surprise of it made Jean groan and squirm. That turned into him falling onto his back and gasping Marco’s name when the intensity was increased again.
“Get all of that out of your system now, Jean. We can’t have you writhing and moaning in our booth, can we?” Marco walked a circle around Jean, peering down with a dazzling smile and darkened gaze.
Jean shuddered, pinned down by the sudden but welcome change in Marco’s demeanor. It wasn’t until Marco’s eyes widened in surprise that Jean realized the chains under his clothes had shifted, a few of them now visible on his neck just above his shirt collar. He had only a moment to process the partial reveal of his surprise before Marco was on his knees, fingers playing with the gold chains. Every brush of Marco’s fingers pushed Jean higher. He allowed himself a few more broken cries and thrashes against the carpet before quieting down.
After a moment of quiet, Marco let go of the chains and rose to his feet. He held out his hand to Jean with a pleased smile. “There, now you’re acting more presentable. Ready to head out?”
Jean didn’t trust himself to open his mouth, so he nodded as he accepted Marco’s help standing. Marco smirked and kept Jean’s hand in his, leading them out to the garage. Everything seemed to be going perfect, especially through the daze of pleasure Jean was in. When that disappeared from the vibrator turning off, Jean found himself facing a once again uncertain Marco.
“If anything changes or you want to stop, please let me know, okay? Just use our safeword and everything stops, I promise.” Marco chewed on his lower lip as he unlocked the car.
Jean reached out and set a hand on Marco’s shoulder. “We’ve been married for three years, Marco. I appreciate the reminder, but I’m comfortable with the boundaries and expectations we have and I know how to operate in them. It’s going to be a safe, fun time, and I’ll always stop if you want, too. I promise.”
They stayed there with their eyes locked until Marco eased up. Dropping his hand, Jean walked around to the passenger side and climbed in. Marco turned on the car and pulled away from their house, everything quiet except for the soft classical music playing from the radio. Marco still seemed a touch off, but that was normal for him leading up to a scene or new big experience. Seeing things go smoothly was key for him being able to get into the moment.
When they pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant Marco had picked out, both of them took a deep breath and looked at the other.
“Um, can you turn it on before we get out? I want to make sure I can get a grip on myself again…” Jean flushed and drummed his fingers on his knees to distract himself from his slight embarrassment.
Marco nodded and pulled the remote out of his pocket, pressing the plus button twice. Jean gasped and tensed, but managed to withhold any other reactions. Relaxing back into the seat bit by bit, Jean smiled.
“This isn’t too strong, I should be able to do this no problem.” Jean felt pride at how steady his voice was.
Marco snickered. “Oh, I was planning to start with this. Do you think you’ll be able to handle more?”
Jean sputtered and looked at Marco with a dumbfounded expression on his face. Even so, he couldn’t deny the rush of excitement he felt at the idea of having his limit of control pushed. Nodding quickly, Jean opened his door and stood up. The movement of the toy he’d felt earlier was nothing compared to how it felt now. Every jostle and twist was accentuated by the vibrations, so intense and ever-changing that Jean steadied himself against the car. Marco was out a moment later, locking the car before walking around to wait for Jean.
“Hey, nice timing!” Jean did his best to look composed as he turned around to greet Connie, followed closely by Sasha, as they emerged from the next row of parking.
“Happy birthday, Marco!” Sasha cheered.
“It’s so nice to see both of you! Thank you for meeting us over here.” Marco carried on the small talk without straying away from Jean.
Jean’s initial reaction to being faced with his friends while being pleasured in secret was panic. He wanted so badly to do this–both for Marco’s enjoyment and for his own–but he was worried he’d ruin it. This pushed his limits of control in a way they’d never tried before, and Jean didn’t know what to expect. As if he sensed Jean’s anxiety, Marco set a hand on the small of Jean’s back, the touch comforting and reassuring. It didn’t take away all of Jean’s nerves, but it did enough. He could do this. He would do this.
“Hey guys,” Jean offered, smiling and stepping beside Marco to hold his hand.
Connie and Sasha stopped a few feet away. “Why don’t we head inside? It’ll be easier to catch up over some food,” Connie said, gesturing with his head towards the restaurant.
Mumbled agreements were followed by the group heading inside. Jean took relief in how easy it was to distract himself with conversation. Connie and Sasha were always so fun to be around, and the special occasion of Marco’s birthday only made them all being together even sweeter. Aside from the occasional surprise of the toy moving as they walked to their booth and settled in over some pleasantries, Jean didn’t have much trouble with it. Marco sat in the seat closest to the booth exit though, leaving Jean without an easy way to quietly excuse himself.
“So,” Sasha leaned over and put her chin in one of her hands, “do you have anything special planned for Marco’s birthday?”
Jean nodded, an answer already prepared. “I have something for him to open at home. It was too heavy to bring, but I’ll send you guys pictures!”
Jean did have a wooden chest with their initials on it to put at the foot of their bed shoved into the depths of the garage, but Marco didn’t know that. He’d been told this was a rehearsed answer they’d need to address later. One less thing for them to worry about, on top of Jean getting the satisfaction of giving Marco an awesome gift that was a complete surprise.
Connie chuckled. “So mysterious! Sasha, any guesses of what it might be?”
Sasha thought for a moment before smiling playfully. “Maybe it’s that new couch they so desperately need?”
“I don’t know, it could also be a pallet of those dried seaweed snacks Marco shovels down all the time,” Connie retorted.
Jean chuckled, having actually entertained that idea before settling on the wooden chest. Things felt much more normal than he’d anticipated, the flow of conversation doing wonders to help him stay composed and relaxed. He had to admit, he was a little proud of himself for being so under control.
“Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s great.” Marco looked up from his menu to lean over and kiss Jean.
Marco chose that moment to turn the vibrator’s intensity up to the third setting and Jean’s sense of control cracked. The kiss muffled Jean’s whimper, giving him a second to recompose himself as he felt his cock begin to harden. He’d gotten off that morning to try and release some steam, but that didn’t seem to delay his building desperation as much as he’d hoped for. The sensation in his ass was impossible to ignore now, demanding attention that Jean couldn’t spare. He needed his focus to keep himself presentable and get through dinner without going insane.
As they broke apart, their waitress came by with paper and pen. Her blond hair was pulled back into a large clip, piercing blue eyes surveying the table. She gave a tiny smile before flipping to a new page on her paper pad.
“What would you folks like to drink?” She sounded just short of bored, but Jean was too distracted to read any further into her.
“Water, thank you.” Jean kept his answer curt but polite.
“I’ll stick to water as well, thanks.” Marco smiled at the waitress, who just blinked at him before turning to Sasha and Connie.
“I’ll have Sprite, please.” Sasha straightened in the booth, eyes lighting up in anticipation of getting her soda.
“Two waters, and an iced tea,” Connie finished their drink order and looked pointedly at Sasha, whose smile shifted from eager to bashful.
“I’ll be right back with those.” Their waitress turned and walked away, leaving the group to their own conversation again.
Jean squirmed in the booth, seeking an angle for the toy that might lessen its effect. Instead, he worsened it as he peered sightlessly down at his menu. Feeling the toy move on top of vibrating was amazing, but having to hold back his groans and keep a straight face dampened the experience. Reaching down and grabbing Marco’s hand, Jean tried directing the conversation in a direction where he wouldn’t have to speak too often.
“How have you two been? Last time we got together, you’d just started roommate and apartment hunting.” That would do the trick, and Jean felt satisfied by his forethought and the space it created for him to process everything he was experiencing.
Sasha groaned and Connie laughed before they launched into talking about apartments, starting with some of their most entertaining stories as they scanned their menus. Marco turned to Jean with a knowing look, listening but also holding back from saying much. Sharing that secretly intimate moment made Jean’s cock twitch. Only then did he realize how hard he was now, straining against his slacks. He’d worked up faster than he’d expected, leaving him curious about how the rest of dinner would play out.
Jean struggled with the tension coiling in his body until the waitress returned, a much-needed distraction. Connie and Sasha paused their stories to sip at their drinks after they were placed on the table. Marco sipped on his water, while Jean refrained out of uncertainty that he could keep his hands steady. Marco seemed to notice Jean’s hesitation. They locked eyes for a moment before Marco smirked, turning the vibrator up yet again, to the fourth setting. Jean muffled his moan by clearing his throat, then picked up his water with a shaky hand to cover for himself as the other hand squeezed Marco’s.
“What can I get for you to eat?” The waitress still sounded bored, but this time, Jean noticed her lips curve into a faint smile.
“I’ll have the–“ Jean stopped and bit his lip hard when Marco turned up the vibrator to the fifth setting. “R-ravioli, please.”
Jean felt almost woozy, exhausted from having to fight down his own pleasure. If they were home, he’d be screaming by now. He’d be twisting his hands into the sheets and begging Marco for relief, tossing his head and making all the noises he could to push his lover to action. Here, all he could do was bite his tongue and sit perfectly still in the booth. In his distraction, Jean didn’t notice that everyone else had ordered their food. He had no idea what they got, but he prayed the food would be out quickly. He wasn’t at his limit yet, but Jean wasn’t sure how much longer he could contain himself.
“Jean, sweetheart, are you feeling alright?” Marco’s voice cut through the fog descending over Jean’s brain.
Jean wanted to punch him. “I’m feeling a little off, but I’ll be okay.”
“Do you think you caught a cold? There’s been something going around the past few weeks.” Sasha sounded distant, but Jean understood what she said well enough to respond.
“Maybe…” Jean leaned forward, resting his chin on his forearms against the table.
That was a mistake. Jean was quivering and the new position made his body chains rattle between him and the table. His clothes muffled the noise, but it was still loud enough he wondered if anyone else would notice. The new angle also shifted the vibrator, shoving it against Jean’s prostate. He clenched his jaw and shuddered, sweat forming on his skin. If Marco didn’t give him a break, he was going to come.
“If you’re not feeling well, we could wrap it up a little earlier tonight and get a rain check on a proper birthday dinner for Marco,” Connie suggested.
Jean shook his head. “Don’t cut his birthday short on account of me.”
“I want to make sure you’re okay, that’s much more important…” Marco looked over, leaning down so he was closer to eye level with Jean.
Jean understood what he was doing, checking in subtly. “I am okay, I promise.”
“If you’re sure…” Marco pecked Jean’s cheek and sat up.
“I am.” Jean smiled.
Jean heard the click of a button on the vibrator’s remote a second later, but nothing happened. Both Jean and Marco looked surprised, but when a second click still had no effect, they both grasped what it was. The vibrator was on its highest setting. While Marco looked equal parts impressed and shocked, probably having miscounted what strength the toy was set to, Jean felt triumphant that he was taking the most Marco could throw at him. He questioned how long he could keep it together, but knowing the intensity couldn’t go up and surprise him again made it easier to hold out.
“You two are so sweet with each other,” Sasha sighed, looking dreamy and envious. “I hope I find someone who treats me so well.”
Marco grinned, bright and gorgeous. “I’m sure you will. You seem to draw the right people to you, so it’s only a matter of time.”
“Hey now, what about me?” Connie teased.
“You? I think you might be a lost cause,” Jean managed as a retort.
Everyone laughed at Jean’s cutting humor, but Jean couldn’t find it in himself to join. He could feel the threat of an orgasm growing by the second. It was tempting to sit up and try to get the toy in a less stimulating position, but that risked rubbing it over his prostate, which could very well push him over the edge. That would also mean making a burst of noise from the body chains, which would be hard to explain away. While Marco had already seen some of them, Jean wanted to keep how expansive the chains were as a surprise for when they got home.
Marco chose that moment to let go of Jean’s hand and instead place it on Jean’s cock. Finding it easily from how it strained against Jean’s pants, Marco squeezed hard before brushing his fingers over the length. Jean’s shaking worsened at the teasing, increasing the volume of the chains and drawing Sasha and Connie’s attention. They looked worried and confused, but Jean was too far gone to come up with a way to deflect them.
“Are those someone’s car keys jingling?” Sasha asked, glancing around the restaurant.
Jean shifted and thankfully quieted the noise down a bit, even if it did rub the vibrator deliciously against his prostate. That solved one problem. The other, however, only intensified further when Connie spoke up.
“Jean, you really don’t look good, man.”
Marco removed his hand from Jean’s dick to settle it on Jean’s forehead. “He feels a little feverish.”
“I’m fine,” Jean groaned.
He was not, in fact, fine. He was coming in a booth at a restaurant in the middle of a conversation with two of his closest friends. Even with Marco’s hand gone, Jean’s tightly wound control had been frayed by its brief presence and left to snap in due time. Jean felt the height of his climax coming a split second before it truly hit him, giving him an opportunity to hide his flushed face in his arms.
Gasping as softly as he could into his arms, Jean shook as he made a mess of his pants. He knew everyone was looking at him, but he couldn’t stop the bucking of his hips as the vibrator relentlessly pushed him through his orgasm. He spasmed around it, helpless to stop his body coming undone. It was so powerful, Jean wanted to scream. He bit down on the sleeve of his shirt to silence himself, only to be shown mercy by Marco turning the vibrator down by two levels.
The toy’s presence still made Jean quiver and sweat, but he could at least lift his head up and sit back in his seat again. When he did, he was met by a very worried flurry of questions from Connie and Sasha and a look of confusion and anxiety from Marco. He didn’t answer Sasha and Connie’s questions. Instead, he grabbed Marco’s hand and set it on his softening cock. Jean saw the moment when what had happened clicked in Marco’s head, his expression shifting to shock and, if studied closely enough, arousal.
“I don’t think Jean is feeling as well as he’d like to be,” Marco turned the vibrator up for just a second to make Jean groan before turning it down again, “he’s still groaning and he’s sweating pretty bad.”
At that moment, the waitress came over with everyone’s food. Jean nearly whimpered, anticipating a meal inundated with overstimulation. He already felt sensitive again, his hips still twitching periodically as the vibrator continued to work its magic. He’d need about ten minutes before he’d start getting hard again, but there was no way he could keep quiet through a second orgasm. He’d only get louder and more obvious as the night went on, getting more and more sensitive without proper breaks to settle down.
“Excuse me, my husband isn’t feeling well. Could we get boxes to take our food to go?” Marco already had his wallet out, credit card in hand.
“Please, let us get it! It’s your birthday, you aren’t allowed to pay,” Sasha waved Marco’s hand away.
“Alright, I won’t argue with you,” Marco chuckled, putting his card and wallet away.
“I’ll be right back with the boxes. You can pay when you’re ready to go,” the waitress spoke to Marco and then Sasha, turning her attention accordingly, before leaving.
Jean almost cried with relief. Marco didn’t turn the vibrator off, but knowing he’d be able to let loose soon made it more bearable. The waitress returned almost immediately with boxes, and Marco got right to work putting their food into them.
“I’m sorry you’re not feeling good, Jean. Hopefully whatever you have will pass soon.” Connie looked a bit sad, but his worry was more prominent.
“I‘ll be better soon,” Jean said confidently.
“Alright, that’s all the food packed up. I’m so sorry we had to cut tonight short. Next time, we should meet up somewhere closer to you two.” Marco grabbed the boxes and turned the vibrator off before sliding to his feet.
“Sounds good, we’ll see you again soon. Get some rest!” Sasha beamed and waved, a gesture that Jean returned as he stumbled to his feet next to Marco.
His legs were so weak, he slid an arm over Marco’s shoulder for balance. They clumsily made their way to the car, where Marco gently lowered Jean into the passenger seat. Jean hummed in satisfaction and closed his eyes at the cool leather on his heated skin. After a moment passed without the driver’s side door opening, Jean opened his eyes to find Marco still hovering over him.
“I can’t believe you came,” he whispered, an awed expression on his face.
Jean chuckled breathlessly. “I can’t either.”
“That was so…” Marco trailed off, licking his lips. “Fuck, that was hot. Best birthday present ever.”
Jean smirked. “Get me home and you might get an even better one.”
As soon as Jean said that, Marco sprang to his feet. Closing Jean’s door and rushing into his own seat, Marco got the car started. Now that they were in a slightly more private space, Marco’s lust was on full display. His dark eyes and flushed face were the most obvious tells, but Jean could see how hard he was, too. He wondered if he’d been hard at the restaurant as well, but hadn’t checked and didn’t think it necessary to ask. He had another question he wanted to pose more.
“N-now that we’re in the car and heading home, can you turn it back on again?” Jean asked, blushing darker as he watched Marco’s reaction.
“You want more?” Marco looked over curiously, eyes roaming over Jean’s body as he put their leftovers in the back seat.
When Jean nodded, Marco reached into his pocket. “Good boy. How much do you want?”
“Uhh… how about the third setting?” Jean squirmed with anticipation, enjoying Marco’s attention.
“Anything for you after how well behaved you were,” Marco purred, clicking the remote button three times and watching as Jean’s back arched out of his seat.
Now that he didn’t have to contain himself, Jean let tears well up in his eyes as he whimpered and thrashed in the seat, utterly overwhelmed and enjoying every second of it. All the things he’d held down in the restaurant burst free at once, making his already loud noises fill the car. He let his mouth hang open and looked at Marco with the most wrecked expression he could manage. It had the desired effect, earning a growl from Marco as he put the car in drive and pulled away. He drove safely but impatiently back, stealing glances at Jean at every opportunity. Jean made a show of himself every time, even going so far as to let himself drool just a little. He knew Marco was into that, even if he didn’t outright say it.
When they pulled into their garage, neither of them wasted any time getting into the house. Jean stumbled around the car and through the door, only to find himself hoisted over Marco’s shoulder on the way to the bedroom after Marco had shoved their leftovers into the fridge. Jean reached down and grabbed Marco’s ass, squeezing firmly, before dragging his nails up Marco’s back. Marco groaned as he stepped into their bedroom, tossing Jean onto the bed. Jean curled his fingers into the sheets as soon as he could, trying to figure out what they wanted to do now.
“So, you have an even better present to give me?” When Jean nodded, Marco continued, pacing along the side of the bed like he was ready to jump on Jean at a moment’s notice. “Well then, what is it?”
“You have to come unwrap me,” Jean breathed, pushing his chest out as he felt himself hardening again.
Marco was on top of Jean in an instant, undoing the buttons of Jean’s shirt with hasty fingers. Every button revealed more of what Jean had on underneath, encouraging Marco to move faster and see the whole picture. The gold chains Marco had seen before they left were only a tiny part of what decorated him.
One chain looped around Jean’s neck, splitting off at his collarbones to wrap down under his arms and around his back to secure everything in place. A second set of chains went down the center of his chest, branching off to cover his pecs. They were held in place with nipple clamps on the highest chain, draping the rest of them over his skin. Marco spent a long moment studying them, lingering on the nipple clamps, before he looked into Jean’s eyes.
“I can’t wait to see how these will move around while I fuck you.”
Jean whined and wiggled out of his shirt. “Please, Marco, I want you to fuck me so bad.”
“Let me see how ready that vibrator got you…” Marco muttered, reaching down to pull Jean’s messy pants and underwear off.
After watching Jean spasm and twitch for a moment, Marco turned the vibrator off and tossed the remote to the side. Reaching down, Marco grabbed the base of the toy and slowly pulled it out. Seeing its size, he smirked.
“You picked a good one. You’ll still be nice and tight for me.” Marco punctuated his sentence by thrusting the vibrator back in.
Marco continued to fuck Jean with the toy while Jean nibbled his lower lip, his eyes fluttering shut with pleasure. “I can’t decide which of my presents today I like more. They’re both amazing. You really outdid yourself this year, babe.”
“Marco–“ Jean choked out, tossing his head back and reaching up to grab at the sheets above his head, his hard cock flushed and twitching.
“I know, you’ve been such a good boy. I think I’ll give you a little gift back to say thanks,” Marco purred, finally pulling the vibrator out and tossing it next to the remote as he reached up to brush his fingers over Jean’s adorned nipples.
Marco got to his feet and stripped down, wasting no time before getting lube out of the nightstand and slicking himself, teasing the head and moaning. Jean let his legs fall open on the bed, biting his lip while he waited for Marco to take him. He couldn't imagine how he’d feel after so much had already happened, but he couldn’t wait to get an answer. It seemed Marco felt the same way as he climbed over Jean, lining himself up and pushing right in before setting his hands on the bed next to Jean’s head.
Jean’s breath caught in his throat. Having Marco slide into his ass after coming and being overstimulated all night was one of the most intensely relieving, consuming experiences of his life. All Jean could do was lay there and take his husband’s cock, tears rolling down his cheeks as he slurred out Marco’s name, pleas for more, and declarations of gratitude. He was making a mess of his stomach, precome rendering his skin shiny and sticky.
“Fuck, it was so difficult to sit there knowing how good you must’ve felt and not being able to do anything.” Marco stopped once he was all the way in, giving both of them a moment to adjust.
“D-do something about it now,” Jean rasped, chest heaving already.
Marco moaned and pulled back before snapping his hips forward. Jean cried out as the chains shifted, the metal cold again his skin while the clamps tugged at his nipples. Marco looked dazzled, watching as his next thrust shifted everything again. Jean felt like he was melting into the bed, completely relaxed as a result of being too physically worn to carry tension in his muscles again. This sort of build-up always led to what he considered his best orgasms, the ones where he had nothing else to do but lay there and scream through it.
“You look so fucking beautiful like this,” Marco panted as he found a steady rhythm with his hips.
Jean smiled with his mouth still hanging open, high on Marco’s praise. He felt beautiful and wanted, with Marco over top of him and stuffing him full. He liked wearing the chains more than he’d expected, too. They felt good to wear, sure, but they also made him feel more confident, more attractive, and more adventurous. He liked the person he became in them and already knew they’d be seeing a lot of use in the future.
“Ready for more?” Marco’s voice was strained like he was holding himself back.
Expecting to be past coherent sentences soon, Jean decided to indulge Marco while he still could. “Please take me, Marco, I need you. Fuck me until you’re done with me. I can take it, I promise.”
“Well, when you insist like that, how can I resist?” Marco adjusted his hands next to Jean’s head, and Jean knew he wouldn’t be thinking about anything for the next several minutes.
Marco started slamming into Jean with all the force he could, making the bed creak and Jean’s chains rattle. Jean screamed, his overstimulation coming back into play as he felt every inch of Marco dragging through him. He watched Marco’s eyes close in concentration, his jaw clenched but unable to silence his groans and grunts. Hearing those sounds made Jean’s dick twitch, desperate for attention, as more precome slicked his tip. Letting go of the sheets with one hand, Jean reached down and began stroking himself.
“I’m getting close, damn it,” Marco growled, opening his eyes to watch Jean.
“Please,” Jean gasped, arching his back off of the bed as more tears slid down his cheeks.
Marco locked eyes with Jean as he let go, his eyelids fluttering and abs quivering as he spilled into Jean. He pushed through, continuing through his dizzying high to make sure Jean got off, too. It took a few more thrusts and jerks of Jean’s hand, but soon enough he was writhing on Marco’s cock and spilling over his hand and stomach. Marco didn’t let up until Jean was finished, collapsing on top of Jean when it was over. They both gasped for air, exhausted from the intense exertion.
When they finally caught their breath several minutes and lots of cuddling later, Jean broke the silence. “Happy birthday, Marco.”
Marco chuckled, holding Jean closer and kissing his hair. “Thank you, sweetheart. It was a wonderful birthday.”
Jean was about to nuzzle closer to Marco and lay there for a while longer when he remembered the other present he had to give Marco. “Oh! I have something else for you, actually.”
Marco sat back and looked down at Jean with wide eyes. “You have another present?”
“Yes, in the garage.” Jean playfully shoved Marco off, making them both giggle.
After giving Jean a quick clean-up with some tissues, undoing his body chains and placing them in the nightstand, and pulling on pajama pants, they made their way to the garage. Jean flicked the lights on and walked over to one of their shelving units, pulling some boxes out and setting them aside while ignoring the ache of his nipples after they’d been clamped for so long. Marco stood a few steps away, watching Jean with an affectionate smile. Waving Marco over once the wooden chest was revealed, they dragged it out and Jean shoved the boxes he’d displaced back under the shelves.
“Oh, perfect! We’ve needed a chest for the bedroom for ages,” Marco exclaimed, running his hands over the lid.
“Come look at the front of it,” Jean suggested, stepping aside and gesturing for Marco to come over with a nervous smile.
Marco stepped around and looked at the front of the chest. Underneath the latch, their initials, “J & M B-K” were carved into a heart. The shape and lettering were imperfect because Jean had done it himself. Several of his lunch breaks over the past several weeks had been spent here, working on this while Marco was still at work. When Marco kneeled down to look more closely at the carving, his smile was nothing short of radiant.
“Jean, this is amazing! Where did you manage to order one that you could get carved like this? There was nothing like that when we looked before!” Marco looked over his shoulder at Jean, unaware he’d given Jean a perfect opening to offer his last surprise.
“I didn’t order it that way. I carved it myself.” Jean glanced between the carving and Marco, getting more critical of his work by the moment.
“Oh, Jean…” Marco rose to his feet and Jean noticed tears in his eyes. “Thank you, I… I don’t know what to say.” Marco sniffled and pulled Jean into a hug that was quickly reciprocated. “It’s perfect.”
Jean sighed with relief and squeezed Marco. “I’m so glad you like it, since we’ll have to look at it so often.”
Marco laughed and kissed Jean on the lips, gentle and sweet. Jean returned it without hesitation, his own emotions getting intense. All the hours of work on that damn chest were worth it to see the happiness it brought Marco. The frustration, the anxiety, and the exhaustion were nothing compared to giving his husband the things he deserves to have. When they finally broke apart, foreheads pressed together, Jean was overcome with a sense of peace only Marco could give him.
“How about we get this into our room, then finish our dinner?” Marco pecked Jean’s nose and made them both blush.
“That sounds like a perfect plan to me.” Jean gave Marco one last squeeze before turning back to the chest.
Twenty minutes of heavy lifting and two plates of reheated food later, Jean and Marco found themselves sitting on their bedroom floor, facing the chest. They ate in quiet contentment, cuddled into each other long after they set their plates aside. At some point, they ended up tangled in bed together. As they drifted off to sleep, Jean quietly sang happy birthday with his last bit of energy for the day.