Mr Puzzles sighed longingly as he looked up at the ceiling he had now become all-too familiar with. Ever since he had been locked away in the nut house, his loneliness had gotten even worse. Occasionally he'd be able to coax a conversation out of Swag, one of his guards, or he would have a visit from Mario on the days he was able to sneak away from the crew but even then, these bursts of human interaction had been short lived.

Sure, he had Leggy 2.0 but deep down even he knew that it was just an inanimate object. Nothing human about it.

His heart sank as his mind was once again overtaken by his thoughts.

Most days it would be fine. As much as he would prefer human interaction, he'd be able to cope without. That wasn't an issue. But today was different.

If there was ever a day he wanted to spend with someone, it would be today. And that of course, was because today was his birthday.

His whole life, his birthday had more or less been overlooked. When he was young, he would get one or two gifts and then a ton of new responsibilities he had to take on. Doing the laundry, cooking meals, grocery shopping. His father had always said he was simply "picking up the slack" or whatever. The TV headed man scoffed at the sentiment.

He was a child. It was never his responsibility to take on those tasks at such a young age. His family were well off. They didn't need him to do all of that. But alas, he did.

This had led to Puzzles resenting his birthdays quite a bit. And the older he got, the less gifts he would get, and the more tasks he would have to take on. By the time he was 13, the presents had stopped all together and once he reached 15, his father didn't even pretend to want to spend time with him on his birthday. He had to celebrate the gaining of new chores all alone.

And that's how it had been for the past decade. Each year, October 28th would roll around and he'd be one year older and not the slightest bit less alone.

At least, until this year.

This year, he had met Mario. Like, really met Mario. Sure, he had seen the man about and had viewed him through SMG4's videos and local news but now, he actually was able to talk to him and understand him better as a person. And through this, Puzzles had found himself falling deeply in love with the idiot.

This stupid fat Italian had been the first person he had ever spoke to who took an interest in what he made! Who actually enjoyed his productions! Puzzles was astounded and quickly fell hard for the man, mistakenly interpreting his feelings of love for that of hatred. But once he had figured out his true feelings for the man, Mario and Mr Puzzles had began dating in secret.

Their relationship wasn't perfect by any means, with Mario being a hero and Puzzles being an antagonist, but they were happy. And that's what mattered. But ever since the events of Puzzle park, the two had been struggling to find time to spend together.

Mr Puzzles had been placed under maximum security at the local insane asylum which meant his visiting hours were limited as it was. Added with the fact that Mario had to sneak away from the crew just to visit Puzzles and the two were lucky if they could see each other for more than 15 minutes a week. It was definitely hard on both of them but with no other options, they were forced to suck it up and make the best of their circumstances.

However, here Puzzles sat, the final hours of the 28th ticking away right in front of him and there was nothing he could do to stop it. To change the events of the day.

The entire day, Mr Puzzles had been waiting for Mario to visit him. To drop by and wish him a happy birthday. To spend time with him on this day that he knew was difficult for him.

But he never showed up.

The hours went by, visiting hours had officially ended for the day and Puzzles was left with an empty feeling in his gut. It was too late now. Mario wasn't coming.

The realisation hit him like a ton of bricks that his first ever boyfriend would not be spending his birthday with him. Mr Puzzles was devastated. Barely able to do anything for the rest of the day, other than lie there, strapped to his bed in his padded cell as he wallowed in self pity, his thoughts running wild, concurring cruel realities where Mario had purposely not turned up as punishment for attacking his friends or where Mario had entirely forgotten about him and his birthday, too caught up in spending time with his friends.

Puzzles' screen displayed a crying face as he was left with nothing but the constant solidarity. He looked at the clock and saw he had just over 1 hour left of his birthday to enjoy.

Another year all alone...

He thought to himself as his screen glitched sadly.

Just then, Puzzles heard a commotion coming from the corridor outside of his cell. There was some yelling from the guards followed by a barrage of heavy footsteps. The TV craned his neck out of curiosity as he payed close attention to the noises outside.

"HEY! Stop! You're not supposed to be here! Visiting hours are over!"

"MAMAF*CKER GET OUT OF MARIO'S WAY!!"

Mr Puzzles felt a jolt of electricity rush through his body at the sound of that voice. A spark jumped from one antenna to the other as his breath hitched.

Could it be...?

Right on cue, the door to his cell heaved open and in slipped Mario, promptly shutting and locking the heavy steel door behind him.

The Italian slumped against the wall, catching his breath whilst Mr Puzzles looked at him in disbelief.

"...Mario?" He asked, unsure of whether or not he was just hallucinating again.

The red cladded man perked up and a big grin overtook his face.

"MI AMORE!!" He shouted, excitedly running over to the bed and ripping the leather restraints off of his boyfriend before engulfing him in a tight hug.

A little shell shocked, Puzzles promptly returned the hug, holding Mario close to him as he wrapped his body around the shorter man.

"Mario is sorry he didn't come earlier. He wasn't able to get away from SMG4's videos to sneak off and come see you but Mario is here now!" The Italian hurriedly explained.

Puzzles could feel himself begin to tear up slightly, "I-I can't believe you actually came... I thought that you had forgotten..."

His screen glitched to his crying expression and Mario pulled away from the hug slightly so that he was able to caress the side of his screen, looking at him with a sincere expression.

"Mi amore... Mario would never forget something like this."

The Italian leaned forward and placed a soft, gentle kiss to Puzzles' vent which the adware returned. An affectionate buzz of electricity pushing against Mario's lips as they kissed.

Mario then pulled away slightly and smiled softly.

"Happy birthday mi amore..." he said.

The Italian reached into his overalls and pulled out a small cupcake covered in red heart-shaped icing with a single candle placed on top. Puzzles felt a blush run across his screen as the sight of the sweet treat whilst Mario shyly offered it to him.

"Aha... Mario is sorry it's not very much. It was the least burnt one out of the batch and the icing is a little messy but it should still taste good!" He reassured him.

Puzzles accepted the cupcake and smiled lovingly at his boyfriend.

"It's perfect my dear..."

Mario flashed him a grin as he leaned in a gave the TV a quick peck on his screen.

"Just like you~" Mario winked at the TV, causing him to flush slightly.

"Tsk- So cliche..." Puzzles mumbled with a smile.

Mario then reached into the other pocket of his overalls and pulled out a lighter which he used to spark the candle.

"Make a wish!" He said.

Puzzles thought for a moment before closing his eyes and releasing a huff of air through his vents, extinguishing the flame. He then opened his eyes and unwrapped the cupcake; picking off smaller nibbles and placing them in his vent so he could 'eat' them.

Mario smiled at him lovingly as he did this.

"Soo... what did you wish for?" He asked curiously.

Puzzles simply chuckled and ruffled Mario's hair affectionately.

"You know I can't tell you that darling~" he said in a sing-song voice.

Mario frowned, clinging onto Mr Puzzles as he leaned against him.

"Oh pleeeaaassseeee tell Mario! If you do, Mario promises to make it come true!" He whined.

Mario looked up at Puzzles with wide, teary eyes which caused the TV to let out a low chuckle, planting a soft kiss on his forehead.

"Well... truthfully, the thing that I wish I could have most in this world is... an actual, real date with you. A single day where we can go out in public and not have to worry about your friends finding out about us or me being arrested. Where we can just love each other openly and freely. That's what I would like. Even if it's too much to ask..."

Puzzles averted his gaze as he looked to the ground, slightly ashamed. He knew that he had no one else to blame other than himself for his situation. But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel guilty for bringing Mario down with him. Because of him, Mario had to lie to his friends, had broken the law to see him and is in a relationship with a crazy guy who he is barely able to visit. It wasn't fair to the Italian but the little guy never let it show that it bothered him. If anything, to a certain degree he seemed to enjoy how unconventional their relationship was. Mario sure was strange but it was his strangeness that made him so endearing to Puzzles. And that only made him want to love him more.

Mario looked up at Puzzles with a soft smile, "Mario will see what he can do." He promised.

Puzzles chuckled, "Oh my dear, it's just a fantasy. Even if we were able to be open with our relationship around your friends, there's still the issue of me being a criminal locked up under maximum security! And I'm afraid that's just going to be the reality of our situation for at least a couple of years." The TV gently caressed Mario's cheek as he held him.

Mario didn't seem to like his certainty in these words as he puffed out his cheeks in protest, frowning at the TV.

"That's-a stupid! There must be a way to get you out of jail so we can be together!"

"I'm afraid not darling. That's just how things are right now..."

"BULLSHIT! How much is your bail? Mario could save up to pay it! He could work extra shifts at the pizza stand? Cut back on spaghetti consumption? Mortgage Mario and Luigi's house??! I-I'd be able to pay it off eventually!"

Puzzles watched sadly as his lover desperately tried to come up with ideas to get him out. It broke his heart to see Mario so distressed like this.

"W-we could find a way! If we were really desperate then Mario could always start an onlyfan- mffmm.."

Puzzles silenced both his mouth and his thoughts as he pressed his vent to the Italian's lips; kissing him softly. Mario shut his teary eyes, leaning into the kiss and pulling Puzzles closer to him; not wanting to ever let him go.

Even once their kiss had ended, they held each other close. Puzzles wiping away Mario's tears in an attempt to offer some form of comfort. Aside from Mario's soft sniffles, the only noise that could be heard was the bustling of guards outside of the prison cell; trying everything they could to break down the cell door.

Mario's head turned at the noise, "How much time do you think we have before they get in?"

"I'd probably say no more than an hour I'm afraid..." Puzzles admitted. "I'm sorry it's so little time."

Mario smiled sadly and buried his head into his chest, wrapping his chubby arms around the TV's waist.

"It's-a okay Amore... We'll just have to make the most of it."

Puzzles smiled down at him and returned the gesture, squeezing Mario tightly as they held one another; exchanging sweet words of affection and affirmation in an attempt to drown out the commotion outside.

After about 10 minutes, Mario suddenly perked up, snapping his fingers.

"Mario almost forgot!" He dug around in his other overall pocket, earning a curious look from his boyfriend. It only took a short while for Mario to pull out what he was looking for and present it to Puzzles.

The TV man looked at the item curiously. Its was a little, fairly thin cuboid wrapped in bright red wrapping paper.

"It's-a not much but... well, Mario wanted to get you something!" He smiled with a blush.

Mr Puzzles took the gift, touched by the gesture.

"I... I don't know what to say..."

"You don't-a have to say anything. Just open it."

Mario's eyes softened as he gave Puzzles a look of sincerity. The TV decided to trust his partner and began to carefully tear the paper off.

Once the wrapping had been discarded, what was left in Mr Puzzles' hands was nothing more than a simple frame holding a picture that Mario and Mr Puzzles had taken on one of the few dates they were able to have.

Mr Puzzles was hugging the shorter man from behind, kissing him on the cheek with a spark of electricity whilst Mario was giggling. They just looked so happy. No concern or worry about being found out or Puzzles being arrested. It was such a sweet moment that they were able to share and one that Puzzles would surely cherish for the rest of his life.

"Mario knows that he can't always visit you..." the Italian began to explain, "So when Mario isn't able to be here, you'll-a have this picture to keep you company and remind you that Mario loves you so so much."

Puzzles could swear he was on the verge of crying yet again. He put the picture down and firmly wrapped his arms around his lover, holding him close as his screen glitched to a teary-eyed expression.

"What on earth did I ever do to deserve you?" Puzzles asked as he hid his screen in the crook of Mario's neck.

Mario was touched; hugging his partner back and softly kissing the side of his head.

"You didn't do anything Mi Amore..." he said, "You were just your amazing self. And Mario loves that."

They shared one more kiss as Mario said this, truly wanting to make the most of their fleeting time together.

They spent the rest of the hour firmly in each other's arms. They would occasionally exchange small kisses or words of affection but for the most part, they were silent. Gently caressing one another in the padded cell as the sounds of the outside world faded into nothingness.

As the end of the hour drew near, the two lovers were snapped out of their bubble by the sound of a loud CLANK!

They turned their attention to the door and saw that the guards had now created a small opening into the cell.

"SWAG! CHRIS! We're almost in!!"

"That's what she said lawl- OUCH!"

"Shut the fuck up Swag."

As the two lovers listened to the commotion outside, Mario shuffled around in Puzzles' embrace, holding him tighter.

"Mario doesn't want to go..." he mumbled into his neck.

The adware could feel his heart squeeze in his chest as Mario said this. "I know my dear. I don't want you to go either..." he admitted before holding Mario's head in his hands and moving him to look up at the adware.

"But you have to."

Neither man liked this. But they knew there was nothing they could do about it. They continued to hold each other right up until the cell door was burst open and the two of them were physically dragged apart by the guards; Mario kicking and screaming the whole time.

"GET-A YOUR HANDS OFF OF MARIO!!" He shouted as he struggled against Swag.

"Quit squirming you idiot! Or we'll have to use police brutality." Swag threatened.

"SWAG! We can't use police brutality! Just restrain the idiot and get him out of here!" Chris instructed as he cuffed Mr Puzzles, who was a lot more compliant.

Swagmaster mocked his friend under his breath and kept trying to get Mario under control; but the Italian wasn't having it. He refused to sit still long enough for Swag to handcuff him and was constantly trying to make a break for either the door or the TV.

Eventually, Swag had had enough.

"Alright, fuck this." He said as he reached for his taser, switched it on and electrocuted Mario until he finally stopped moving, groaning as his body fell limp; aside from the occasional twitch.

"MARIO!" Mr Puzzles screamed desperately. He began to attempt to break free from the other guard's grip's before being hit over the head by Chris.

"Silence criminal!" He instructed. Chris then turned to Swag who had just finished handcuffing a very disoriented Mario. "Let's get him out of here before he causes any more trouble."

So, with that, they dragged him outside. Far, far away from Puzzles' cell. By the time Mario had fully regained consciousness, he was already outside of the prison.

"That was a stupid thing to do Mario." Chris began to lecture him. "Breaking into the cell of an insane person and freeing him after he tried to kill you and your friends is a new level of idiocy. Even for you."

"TV man would-a never hurt Mario! He just wanted to wish him a happy birthday!" Mario complained.

"Lmao you got Stockholm syndrome or some crazy shit?" Swag asked.

"NO!"

"Well whatever the case, it's our jobs to advise you to not visit him again. As far as the law is concerned, it's a miracle he didn't kill you today."

"Pfft. TV man couldn't kill Mario if he tried." The Italian grinned.

Chris rolled his eyes, "Uhuh, sure. Whatever."

The soldiers uncuffed Mario and gave him a push forward, encouraging him to go home. He quickly whipped around to confront them.

"HEY! Wait a minute! When will Mario next be allowed to see TV man???" He asked.

Chris thought for a moment, "Well... assuming you're granted permission to visit him again, I'd probably say at least a week to get the door to his cell replaced."

"A WEEK?!!"

"Be grateful we're even considering letting you back in at all."

Mario groaned, rolling his eyes. "Ugh. Fine. But just you wait! Mario will be back in a week to see his preziosa televisione!"

And with that, the Italian stormed off, leaving an unamused Chris and Swag alone in the dark.

"There is no way that fatty is going to walk all the way home." Swag laughed.

"Who cares? Let's go and file the details about this break-in. The sooner we get started, the sooner we can go home." Chris sighed and the two trudged back inside, mentally preparing for a long night of work ahead of them.