Sonya
Finley had, shall it be called, a *Slight* Impulse problem. 

Although, they argued, entirely internally, a problem carried a negative connotation. And Fin, sitting on the floor of the music room, in front of a brand new guitar case, did not see it as a negative. The case sat open before him, the beautiful Kramer Voyager (1983!) a scarlet red that they felt aptly matched their boyfriend's fiery and boisterous personality. It reminded him of Ares in many ways - standing out, packing a punch, sturdy, and, well, to Finley, gorgeous.

Their fingers flew across the keyboard of their phone, rapidly texting Owen, who had been kind (and feral) enough to polish the guitar (and had promptly shrieked upon seeing it). It was clean, and perfect, and Fin couldn't wait to present it to Ares. They loved the guitar, they loved him, and they wanted nothing more than to give it.

And, they'd gotten *Crazy* Lucky with the price. 350? Unheard of. An old Norwegian metal-head sold it to him at the music store with little more than a shrug and asking if he wanted to keep the case or buy a new one. (Fin had kept the old case, but that was for later).

They switched to their conversation with Ares, and texted him to invite him to the music room. He couldn't wait to see his face - but the suggestion Owen made about giving it to him outside may have been right. Ares *Could* Literally explode, after all.
Patricia
The *Moment* Ares got a text from Fin, he already found himself racing down the stairs. It had been a few weeks since he initially asked them if they could exchange gifts, and now the other was finally ready. The boy felt like he was twelve on Christmas morning, jumping down each step with a childlike happiness. 

A stupid smile was pressed into his cheeks, a small bag in his steady hands. He was overwhelmed with an emotion he had rarely felt within his life, but was getting far more common. Pure, unfiltered joy. 
*Finley was everything to him.*

He practically knocked down the door to the music room. His hair was ruffled and messy from the fast pace he moved, and his breath flowed rapidly in and out of his lungs in a giddy enthusiasm. He could *Not* Stop smiling. 

"*Cariño!*" Ares wasted no time in running over to Fin, swooping them tightly into his arms and spinning them around in a hug. His laugh cracked in his chest, warm and full like sun itself. 

It was almost like he hadn't seen them in ages, despite literally seeing them the day prior. 

Right now, any gifts could wait, for Finley was the greatest gift of all.
Sonya
"Oh! Hi!"

Fins feet lifted off the floor, a giggle peeling through their voice as they pressed their face into Ares's shoulder as he spun them around. They looped their arms around his neck and leaned back to look at him, smile wide. 

"Hello, *Cherie,"* Fin said, leaning forward to peck Ares on his cheek. "How was class? Did you have a good day?" 

God, he adored him. He was down *So* Bad, and he knew it. And as excited as they were to show Ares his gift, they had some form of decorum left - they were trying to be considerate first. 

If Ares noticed the not at all suspiciously guitar-case-shaped, bright-orange wrapped, blue-tied bow on the top package in the corner, ah, well, you know – that was totally fine, too. 

Fin just knew that they loved this boy, in all his disaster and glory, and wanted nothing more than to give Ares everything he ever wanted (as implausible as that may be). So instead they sat contently in his arms, reaching up to tuck some of his hair out of his face, cupping his face in one hand.
Patricia
Ares held Fin close, staring at them with pure bliss and content. How could he think of anything when his entire world was wrapped between his arms? 

He returned the kiss on the cheek, once, twice, three times, dotting their face with pecks as they laughed. He never wanted to let them go, but knew they were excited to show him what gift they'd pulled together for their one year anniversary. So, the taller boy smiled and slowly let Fin's feet meet the floor again. However, he still kept an arm around his waist. 

"Class was... *Fine,*" Ares clearly did not go to class. "However, my day has been *Fantastic* All thanks to you, *Mi corazón.*" The boy cooed. 

"How are you? How has your day been?" Ares loved to hear about anything and everything Finley did. Hearing them talk was like sugar and honey, each word sweet no matter what was spoken. 

The itch to show Finley what Ares had bought for them was beginning to make his heart beat faster. He was just *So excited,* But of course, cared more than enough his lover to ask about his day.
Sonya
"It was *Amazing,*" Fin admitted. He reached out and clasped his hands over Ares's, biting back the huge grin forming on their face. 

 "In part," They said, "Because I found the *Perfect* Thing for you. Because, you've made this past year so – I don't even know how to – its been great. Really. And I just — can you cover your eyes for a second, baby?"

They tugged Ares's hands, gently guiding them up over his eyes, getting up on their toes to peck the backs of his hands. 

"Just take a little step towards me, okay? Let me be your eyes for just a second. Trust me."
Patricia
*Past year.* One year. 
It hadn't felt that long, at all. 
A part of Ares was proud of himself for maintaining a relationship, but the other part of him knew that with Finley, it would be easy. It was easy. Loving Fin was second nature, which was incredibly refreshing. 

"You've made it great too, *Amor*."
There was more for him to say, but Fin was clearly excited, so he saved it. 

As soon as they asked, Ares placed one hand over his eyes. Suddenly everything was dark, and as much as Ares *Wanted* To cheat and peak between his fingers, he didn't. 
Excitement and anticipation made his heart beat quicker. 

He moved without hesitation, he trusted Finley not to lead him into a wall— and even if he did, it would probably be funny. 

In the back of his mind, Ares thought about what he had gotten Fin. It was more of a promise, something to look forward to, less of an immediate gift. He hoped they'd appreciate it regardless. 

The boy was unsure what awaited him, which made this all the more fun.
Sonya
"Okay," They took a deep breath. They swallowed hard, and led Ares over to the *Fucking phenomenal* Guitar they'd gotten for for him. It had been an absolute steal - somewhat insane that they'd managed to get it at all. But it was here, and it was real, and it was gorgeous, and it was for *Him* - this wonderful, spectacular boy, who Finley had decided was the one. He wanted Ares in his life for as long as he wanted to be in it. He loved Ares, loved him more than anything.

Finley dropped his hands from Ares' eyes, clasping their hands together. 

They took a deep breath, grinning. 

"Okay. Open your eyes."
Patricia
Ares let Fin cover his eyes, he felt their chilled fingers over his cheeks and brow, and the excitement that continued to burn between his ribs. It was right between his lungs, beside his heart, a pounding sort of feeling that almost made him dizzy with anticipation.

Everything was dark for a moment— then it was light. 

Sitting there, right in front of him, was the guitar of his dreams. The one pulled straight from fuzzy memories and endless night rambles about how perfect it was, how it was *His,* If any guitar was *Him,* It was the guitar he was finally looking at. His breath caught in his throat, Ares was silent for a moment. Then another, three moments, four. 

He didn't know what to say, he couldn't find the words. Not in a million years— even if he tried every single day— could he string together a sentence so perfect, to articulate the emotions that swarmed him at that exact moment. 

"Oh my *God—*" He finally managed to choke out. A soft smile began to spread across his previously shocked face; his eyes remained wide. 
The boy almost didn't believe what he was staring at. Maybe he didn't, not fully. 

"Where on earth did you find this? These are— basically legend— how the *Fuck* Did you get your hands on one?"
Sonya
Fins face was wide with a grin, half covered by their hands held to their cheeks, pink in his ears. They shrugged, reflexively, and gestured to the guitar, at a loss for words for a moment.

"There was this guy in Gothenburg, online, it was literally Facebook Marketplace, I think, and he was just trying to get rid of it because he was moving to the States – he sold it to me for *Mad* Cheap, and it just, you know, you'd talked about it so much I thought you'd really like it, and—"

Finley shrugged, Ares's infectious glee stealing their ability to enunciate properly. All he could do was grin back. 

"You should have seen Owen's face," They prattled, laughing a little out of their nose. "I thought he was going to pop – no puns intended heh."

*God, Ares was his entire world, wasn't he?* 

Fin looked up at his face with a soft smile, and rocked back on their heels.

"All that's to say – happy one year, *Amor.*"