The Same Brainwaves
Having a significant other during Valentine’s Day was a completely new experience. Past Valentine’s were spent either alone or at the bar. Jackson never really looked forward to it before but this year. This year was different.
This was his and Zhenya’s first Valentine’s day as a couple, and he wanted to make it special. So Jackson started his planning a month in advance.
Jackson knew he couldn’t cook so he started his preparation by asking around for a good Russian restaurant to order food from. Sergei recommended one to him, right outside of Gryffindor that made really good traditional Russian food. He probably ordered too much, but he wanted Zhenya to have a lot of options. Pelmeni, Pirozhki, Beef Stroganoff and so many more. They’d have enough leftovers to feed them for the rest of the week at the very least.
He set it up to have it delivered early on in the day. With Valentine’s Day being on a Sunday this year, they didn’t have practice or any games either. He always woke up before Zhenya, who tended to be a deep sleeper.
After turning his alarm off before it could wake the other man, Jackson rolled towards his boyfriend, quietly watching him sleep for a couple minutes. He used to think it was creepy when other people talked about their significant others sleeping. Now though, he understands. Zhenya’s face was so soft, so calm when he slept. He didn’t snore, he did more of a soft snuffle. He slept on his side, facing Jackson most of the time with an arm wrapped around him.
That was the hardest part of getting up this morning. Getting out of the bed without waking Zhenya. Jackson carefully tried to roll to the edge of the bed, but a large hand quickly pulled him back into the middle. He let out a soft sigh, pressing a kiss to his jaw before carefully maneuvering out of the larger man’s arms. Hopefully he’d stay asleep long enough for him to at least get everything set up.
Checking the time as he walked into the kitchen, Jackson clapped his hands together, “Alright, let’s get started.” He murmured to himself. It was around 10am and he was hoping to have at least an hour or two to set up. He had hid a bouquet of flowers under the sink for the center of the table, and some cutesy Valentine’s decorations. Looking over the various items, Jackson found himself getting nervous. Had he gone too far? Was this too much?
Jackson wasn’t often seen as a romantic person, he didn’t see himself as it either. But he wanted to be. For Zhenya. He deserved the cutesy shit and the romance. He deserved the entire world and if that meant Jackson buying out Party City of all of their Valentine’s Day decorations, then that is what he was going to do.
The food was delivered around an hour into his decorating. As soon as he received the text, Jackson quickly swung the door open before they could knock or ring the doorbell. The delivery person actually had to help him carry it to the kitchen.
After thanking and tipping them profusely, Jackson started setting everything out on the counters and the tables. He finished the entire set-up around twelve, sitting at the table with a sigh of relief. He did it. When he bought everything, he was worried it would be too cheesy but it actually turned it pretty well. Not too over the top.
Jackson quickly went and cleaned himself up, fixing his hair and brushing his teeth before deciding it was time to wake Zhenya.
Crawling back into the bed, Jackson started pressing soft kisses over his boyfriend’s face, “Zhenya. Baby. Babe.” He mumbled against the soft skin of his jaw. He could feel his cheeks move up into a smile as he began to wake up.
“Котенок. Hello. I’m wake.” Zhenya grumbled, pulling Jackson to his chest.
Jackson gently traced over his face, a smile on his face that was only for Zhenya, “Morning, Zhenya. I have a surprise…when you decide to wake up.”
A brown eye peeked out at him, like freshly melted chocolate against the white pillowcase, “Surprise? For me?” He asked.
He let out a chuckle, giving Zhenya a gentle kiss, “Yeah, babe. For you. But you gotta get up.” Jackson said as he sat up, trying to pull Zhenya with him.
Zhenya pulled him into his lap with a smile, his hair slightly ruffled, “What if I want you as my surprise? Good idea, yeah?” He murmured, large palms resting on narrow hips.
A flush spread across Jackson’s cheeks as he rested his arms on Zhenya’s shoulders, “Maybe later? My surprise first though. Please.”
With a dramatic sigh, Zhenya nodded, “Alright. Your surprise first.” He agreed, tapping Jackson’s hip till he climbed off. Jackson couldn’t help but watch as he climbed out of bed, the blankets and sheets falling away to show strong legs and muscled back. If it wasn’t all set-up downstairs, he would pull Zhenya right back into the bed.
Zhenya pulled on a pair of joggers and a t-shirt before glancing back at Jackson, “Surprise now?” He said excitedly, reaching a hand out to his boyfriend.
Intertwining their fingers together, Jackson led the way downstairs. His heart pounded nervously in his chest as he pushed open the kitchen door, “Happy Valentine’s day, babe.” Jackson murmured, pulling him all the way into the room.
All of the planning, getting up early and setting up was so worth it to see the look of shock on Zhenya’s face. He was frozen in the doorway, his hand still clutching at Jackson’s as he looked around the room, “I-I.. You do this.. For me?” He whispered, eyes shining with unshed tears as he turned to Jackson.
Jackson squeezed his hand, a small smile spreading on his face, “I’d do anything for you, Zhenya.”
He barely finished the sentence before Zhenya pulled him in for a kiss, his hands gently caressing Jackson’s face, “Котенок. Thank you.” He mumbled into the kiss. No one had ever done this for him. Zhenya was never really with anyone for this long. Except for Jackson.
Pulling away, Jackson smiled, “C’mon, let’s eat, Zhenya. I got your favorites.” He grabbed plates out of the cabinet, handing one to his boyfriend, “I also ordered some that just sounded good.”
Zhenya wiped at his cheeks as he took the plate, “You got from good restaurant too.” He said with a smile, filling his plate.
“Yeah, I asked Sergei. I wanted to make sure I got the good stuff.” Jackson said, taking a little of everything. They both sat at the table, eating happily.
Jackson bit his lip as pulled out a small box from his pocket, “One last surprise.” He murmured, pushing the box across the table.
Eyes widening, Zhenya looked up at Jackson, “No, Jackson. Too much. You give me so much already.” As he watched Zhenya take the box slowly, Jackson was already shaking his head.
“Never enough, Zhenya. Never.”
Zhenya let out a shaky breath as he opened the box. Inside was a simple black leather bracelet, held together by a silver clasp. Picking it up with gentle fingers, he noticed the engraving.
Понял тебя.
I got you.
The tears were already falling down Zhenya’s cheeks when he looked up to Jackson, who was smiling softly, eyes already wet with unshed tears, “I know we’re not out yet and it might be awhile before we can be. Which is fine! I just.. I just wanted you to know. I love you so much and you’re it for me. Always.”
Jackson didn’t know what response he was expecting. A kiss maybe? More tears? Zhenya did neither. He ran out of the room. He left. Jackson was frozen for a minute and was about to yell out for him when Zhenya ran back in, out of breath. A box clutched in his own hands.
“W-we’re on the same.. What is the word? Brainwaves?”
Jackson’s eyes never left the box, “Wavelength. The same wavelength.”
Quietly stepping forward, Zhenya handed him the box. Inside was a silver chain, similar to the ones that constantly hung from Zhenya’s neck. The charm had a triangle which Jackson recognized as the flag of Magnitogorsk, and on the back.
I got you.
They really were on the same brainwaves.