fall had long since arrived and the leaves were starting to change colors so benson thought it would be a nice day to go for a walk in the park with pops. you wouldn't be able to tell by the trademark apathetic expression he usually bore, but he was quite excited about their rapidly approaching ten year wedding anniversary.

once work had been finished he requested the lollipop's company and pops eagerly agreed. the two dressed for the cool autumn weather, benson packing a thermos full of hot tea for them to enjoy on their stroll.

they walked hand in hand, arm in arm, completely wrapped up in one another as they admired the gorgeous scenery. while many mistook the gumball machine's even tone and stoic expressions for moodiness he was actually a very happy person, at least in the presence of his husband. granted his disposition didn't visibly change much, but he did appear to soften, perhaps in a manner only pops was attuned to.

finding an empty park bench nestled in the thick of some beautiful and vividly colored trees the two decided to have a seat and partake in the beverage benson had brought for them. as the gumball machine extracted the thermos from his messenger bag he felt the warmth of pops' scarf slowly engulf him. "i'm not cold, pops." benson remarked casually as he unscrewed the lid to the container and began to pour its contents into the cup that was once attached to the top of the cylinder, a thick curl of steam climbing into the air.

"oh, but you looked chilly, benson! i could have sworn i saw you shiver! you'll catch your death of cold out here, it's better to be safe than sorry~!" the lollipop chimed with insistence as he finished wrapping the pink plaid garment around the gumball machine's neck. benson smiled. well, maybe he had been a bit cold. either way the gesture was appreciated; it was always nice to know you were cared for.

handing the cup of hot tea over to the mustachioed gentleman benson came upon a realization that seemed to have escaped him until now. "we met in the fall, didn't we?"

pops took a long sip from the cup, wiggled his mustache, then nodded enthusiastically in agreement. "oh, benson, you have a positively perfect memory! i remember it like it was yesterday, oh, yes!" the lollipop's eyes glazed over as he stared off into nothingness, and benson knew he was probably recalling a completely arbitrary event as his memory was a bit sporadic. it didn't matter; the gumball machine watched as pops' smile grew and he knew whatever it was he was reminiscing about was pleasant and that was all that mattered.

he was all that mattered.

only you,
it could never be,
anyone else but you,
oh, no, no.
i have known,
from the start,
if i could not have you,
i would fall apart.
it's you,
no one in the world for me,
but you, you, you.




fanart of fanart.

characters belong to quintel.