marvin and whizzer are so happy together!!

Whizzer and Marvin! (Part 7)

The next few weeks passed quietly, but Marvin could feel the slow, steady change within himself. Life was filled with its usual routines — work, taking care of Jason, catching up with friends — but there was something new beneath it all, a growing sense that his world wasn't as small or as constrained as it once felt.

One afternoon, Marvin found himself, sitting with Trina in a café, catching up over coffee. They had settled into an easy rhythm over the last year, a kind of understanding that only two people who had weathered difficult times together could share.

"You seem... lighter," Trina said after a pause, studying him over the rim of her cup. "Different, in a good way."

Marvin smiled softly. "I think I am. Things aren't perfect, but they don't feel so heavy anymore."

Trina nodded, her eyes warm with support. "I'm glad to hear that. You deserve to feel good again, Marvin. And I know whizzed would have wanted that too."

He didn't flinch at the mention of Whizzer's name like he used to. It didn't bring the sharp sting of grief, but rather a bittersweet kind of acceptance. "Yeah, I think he would."

There was a pause, and Trina leaned in, her voice dropping slightly. "So... how's Jason doing? And, maybe more importantly, how are you doing with this new person in your life?"

Marvin chuckled, shaking his head. "There's no new person in my life. Joe and I are just... friends. Eve been grabbing coffee, talking here and there. Nothing more."

"Uh-huh," Trina said, giving him a knowing look. "You can call it whatever you want, but I've seen that look in your eyes before."

Marvin rolled his eyes, though he couldn't help the small smile that crept across his face. "It's not like that. I'm not ready for anything serious. I'm just... figuring things out."

"And that's fine," Trina said, placing a hand on his. "You don't have to rush into anything. But it's okay to felt yourself feel something again. You don't have to shut the door forever."

Marvin thought about that as they finished their conversation and parted ways. He wasn't shutting the door on anything, but he wasn't quite ready to open it all the way either. He was in a liminal space, somewhere between holding onto the past and cautiously stepping into the future. And maybe that was exactly where he needed to be for now.

Later that week, Marvin met Joe for coffee. The small café was warm and cozy, filled with the scent of fresh pastries and the sound of quiet conversation. They sat at a corner table, talking about their week, exchanging stories and laughing at small jokes.

There was something effortless about spending time with Joe. He didn't push Marvin to talk about things he wasn't ready for, but he also didn't shy away from the harder conversations. It was a balance that Marvin appreciated more than he realised.

After a while, Joe leaned back in his chair, watching Marvin with a thoughtful expression. "You ever think about what comes next? I mean, not just with us, but.. in general?"

Marvin looked down at his coffee, swirling the spoon absently, as he considered Joe's question. What comes next? He hadn't let himself think too far beyond getting through each day, each week. The future had felt like something out of reach, like a concept meant for other people who hadn't experienced the kind of loss he had But now, sitting across from Joe, he realised it was a question he didn't want to avoid anymore.

"Honestly?" Marvin said, glancing up with a small smile. "I don't know. I've spent so much time just trying to keep it all together for Jason, for myself. I didn't even think I'd get here -- this place where things feel... possible again."

Joe nodded, a soft smile playing on his lips. "That's fair. I guess we don't have to know all the answers right now."

"No," Marvin agreed. "But it's nice to think about, isn't it? Maybe... maybe there's more for me, for Jason."

"Absolutely." Joe leaned forward, his gaze earnest. "You've already been through so much, Marvin. You've rebuilt so much if your life. Maybe what comes next isn't about trying to fill any gaps, but just allowing yourself to enjoy whatever life has in store."

Marvin felt a weight lift from his shoulder's at Joe's words. There was no rush, no pressure to be anything other than who he was, here and now.

They finished their coffee, and as they walked out of the café into the crisp afternoon air, Marvin found himself sharing parts parts of his life he hadn't spoken about in a long time. He talked about Whizzer, his humour, the way he brought life into every moment, his sharp edges softened by love and time. And Joe listened, not shying away from the memories, not making Marvin feel guilty about loving someone first.

At the end of the walk, as they reached Marvin's building, Joe turned to him, his expression thoughtful. "Thanks for today. For sharing all that."

Marvin smiled, a warmth spreading through him. "Thank you for listening. Really. It... it felt good to talk about him."

 Joe took a step closer, his voice gentle. "And I hope you know I'm here, Marvin, for whatever you need. Whether it's friendship, or just someone to spend an afternoon with. No pressure."

Marvin nodded, grateful for the space Joes was giving him. "I know. And that means a lot."

Joe left with a wave, and as Marvin watched him go, he felt the beginnings of something he hadn't let himself feel in a long time -- hope.