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It was an unusually warm Saturday afternoon. It was one of the first days in June after all, yet the sweltering heat would’ve made you believe it was August. “Climate change” would be responsible for that, at least that’s what the news articles were claiming. Apparently you jump 20 years into the future and the entirety of the world’s gone to shit, but Otto could’ve told you that back in 2004.
Yes, it was a curious set of circumstances, but it was his life. He and Norman both narrowly escaped death by a very fine thread, but at the cost of losing just about two decades to their names. Returning to a timeline that has continued on without them, but of course their legacies had not been so easily forgotten.
Everything went on without them. Rosie was still dead, and Norman had come to learn his son had died as well. It was heartbreaking, but the world keeps turning, and so they did too.
It had been about 8 months or so since their return, and the two were quick to grow close. They were forced to live together due to the nature of their fate. Not to mention they had limited contact with the outside world. So it was almost uncanny that the romantic bond would come soon after, although it was not something Otto had anticipated.
Speaking of, Norman, his wonderful partner was slinking about the apartment. One hand buried in his hair while the other was resting just under his mouth. He did this often. Brows furrowed deep in thought, face twisted into something of contemplation. It’d be cute if it usually didn’t mean something so concerning.
Otto sat up from his seat on the couch. His metal actuators started to whir behind him, clicking softly at the hint of doing something other than nursing his third cup of coffee. They really were like children, curious, but very impatient.
“What is it, my dear.” Otto called to the other, who had yet to stall his nervous pacing.
“Nothing.” Norman muttered. Otto raised a brow, now fully up and facing the smaller man. Back and forth he’d go across the small apartment floor. Otto noted that Norman had come to learn to avoid the planks of wood that creaked under each step. He was always so overly cautious. Otto didn’t say anything.
“It’s just-“ Norman stopped in his tracks. “It just feels like-like a bad day is all.” He mumbled, but Otto understood. He wasn’t going to pry, he didn’t have to. He had them too. Slowly, Otto approached the other, and silently opened his arms to which Norman quickly fell into.
They stayed there for a while in a soft, sturdy embrace. Moments like these were vital for both of them. Norman needed the support, and Otto desperately did too, they understood one another on a level that no one else could. There is no other person on this earth who Otto would rather be with, and he knew Norman felt the same.
They were pretty lucky for being the most unlucky guys he knew.
“Why don’t we get some air, darling.” Otto suggested softly, placing a gentle kiss on the top of Norman’s head. The scientist grunted something in reply, muffled by Otto’s sweater. “I don’t think I caught that.” Otto managed with a chuckle.
“I said it’s hot out, and I’m comfy here.” Norman looked up at the other, his chin pressing firm against Otto’s sternum.
“Aren’t you always cold? Come on. Let’s go, it's good for us.” Otto laughed as he somehow pried himself away from the clingy scientist. He was sure he heard the other grumble something in protest, but Otto wouldn’t hear it. He took his hand, and pulled him towards the balcony.
But as they got closer, he could swear he heard-
“Music?” Otto whispered. “Do you hear music?” Otto asked, and Norman hesitated. They were quiet for a moment, trying to listen.
“Yes, I think so.” Norman uttered. The two shared a glance. Cautiously, they made their way towards the balcony. Otto slid the glass door open, and it was no longer a question where the music had been coming from, as a large crowd had gathered beneath them, and were dancing about the street below.
There was cheering, and music, and a sea of rainbow flags of every color, shape and size. It was a wonderful sight.
“Wow.” Otto whispered, he made his way to the edge of the balcony, and took it all in. “I-I didn't know they still did this.” He looked down at the large gathering. “I remember when they first did this, you know. After Stonewall.” Otto muttered to himself. Norman hummed in agreement.
“Me too.” He whispered. “I guess it’s no shocker though. Gay people didn’t go away.” He huffed out with a laugh, and Otto frowned.
“No, but they tried to make it seem like we did. You remember the 90s. It wasn’t exactly a cheerful era.”
Otto had been happily married to Rosie during the terrible AIDS epidemic that tore through the country in a heartless rampage. He was so grateful to have a wife who not only knew he was queer, but was there to comfort him when he would get so angry or worked up while watching the news. Never questioning why he would just quietly break down without a moment's notice.
It was a terrifying time, even though he was married, just knowing all those kids who were just like him were dying, and no one was talking about it.
Norman pursed his lips. He was there too.
“I know.” Norman whispered quietly. “I’d like to hope things have changed.” He began to smile, his head falling to rest against Otto’s shoulder. “They certainly look happy. Unashamed. It’s wonderful.” He hummed in quiet content. “I’m gonna do some research, maybe I can find out where they’re going on Faceapp.” Norman chirped, suddenly looking like a man on a mission.
Otto rolled his eyes. “It’s Face book, and what are you gonna do? You needed Peter to help you set up your phone last week! How are you gonna look up anything?”
Norman had already abandoned the other, bustling inside. “I’m a doctor, honey! I can figure it out.” Norman cried from the common area.
To Otto’s relief, Norman was on the laptop. They both had a bit more experience with that, rather then the stupid glass phones that were destroying the minds of society. Not that Otto was bitter or anything.
Otto leaned up against the doorframe, and watched Norman type away.
Brows furrowed in concentration, the smaller man scrolled through what Otto could only assume was an article as his eyes flitted across the screen from line to line. Then suddenly his demeanor shifted.
“Oh my god.”
“What?” The word comes out a bit quicker then Otto would have liked to admit. He couldn’t help it, his mind always jumped to the worst.
“Otto.” Norman looked up at him, and Otto really began to worry when he saw raw emotion start to swell behind the scientist’s eyes. “On June 26th, 2015 the US legalized gay marriage.”
For a moment the wind is knocked out of Otto. A hand moves to cover his mouth, completely unable to speak. Norman is grinning now, his laptop abandoned as he quickly rushed Otto. His metal arms buzz behind him, clearly showing their excitement, yet he himself can’t move.
“Love?” Norman begins, his smile fading as he fully takes in the sight of his partner. “Are you alright?”
Otto opens his mouth to speak, but he doesn’t trust his voice. He gives Norman a tight nod hoping that would suffice. His glasses shield his misty eyes, but he knew if he spoke it’d be a dead give away.
Unfortunately his partner was a genius, so it didn’t really matter how slick he was trying to be, you can never get anything past Norman Osborn.
Cautiously, the scientist removed Otto’s glasses, and brushed the pad of his thumb beneath his eye, wiping away a small tear that managed to fall against Otto’s will. “Oh honey.” He whispered, his hand cupping Otto’s cheek. “I’m happy too.”
Otto leaned into the touch, and squeezed his eyes shut. A few more tears fell, as he let out a quiet watery laugh.
“We got to live to see it.” Otto choked out. He took a shaky breath, trying to steady his racing heart. “We weren’t supposed to, but we did.”
Norman doesn’t say anything. He simply smiled and pulled Otto down into his lips, kissing him slowly, and passionately. Completely and utterly unafraid.
“We did.” Norman whispered against the other, kissing him again, and again. Otto doesn't stop the new tears from staining his cheeks, as he feels Norman responding similarly. They were just two helpless men holding and kissing each other because they can, and crying over it because up until now they couldn’t .
“I love you.” Otto whispered hoarsely, and Norman managed a grin. He wiped the tears from both his and Otto’s face. His eyes never leave Otto’s.
“And I love you.” Norman repeats. They stay like that for a while. Norman’s head resting against Otto’s chest, slowly swaying to the music and cheers of the pride parade.
“Hey Otto?” Norman breaks the comfortable silence.
“Hm?”
“Have you ever thought about getting remarried?”
Otto thinks for a second. “I’m not sure.” He admitted softly. “Maybe.” Norman doesn't say anything. There’s another beat of silence, and then Otto pulls back slightly, just enough to look down at Norman. “Are-are you asking-?”
“What? Oh! Oh no. I mean- I mean not like this. I was- honestly I was just wondering.” Norman’s nervous rambles pull a smile out of Otto.
“Not like this, huh?” Otto asked quietly, and Norman playfully hit his arm.
“Hush.” Norman grumbled. His face was red. Otto couldn’t help but laugh.
“Tell you what, why don’t we go outside and enjoy the parade?” The Doctor offered, and Norman was quick to nod.
“I’d like that.”