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A beam of sunlight shone on Eijirou’s pillow next to his face. He slowly cracked open his eyes, sleepily sitting up and stretching his arms and back. Eijirou looked at his phone screen.
6:19, Sunday October 16
“Happy birthday, Eijirou,” he mumbled, laughing quietly to himself. He slid out of bed and changed into some clean workout clothes, grabbing the bag he stored his toothbrush and hair gel and things in and walking to the bathroom.
No one else was in the bathroom when he got there. He started his routine, splashing some water on his face. He had decided not to spike up his hair that day; it was a good amount of work and he really would rather throw his hair up in a small ponytail today.
Eijirou left the dorms, finding a trail and beginning his daily jog. He always enjoyed that part of his day. Jogging relaxed him and let him have a chance to think before his day started. With his friend group, things tended to get pretty chaotic, and while he often enjoyed the high energy, sometimes it was better to just have a few moments of calm quiet.
Cool morning air filled his lungs. The trees that lined the trail rustled in the wind. The sky filled with soft colors.
Eijirou continued to jog for half an hour. He eventually decided to head back to the dorms, though he wasn’t in any sort of rush. For a jog, it felt a lot like a leisurely stroll.
When he opened the door to the dorms, he was greeted with Mina brewing coffee in the kitchen. She seemed to have heard the squeaking of the door because she immediately turned to face him.
“Only you would get up at dawn on your birthday to go on a jog, Eijirou,” she laughed, getting down from her perch on the kitchen counter and tackling Eijirou with a hug. “Happy birthday, by the way!”
“Awe, thank you! I gotta ask, though, why are you up this early? You’re never up before 8 on Sundays,” Eijirou asked.
“It’s your special day, silly! I wanted to be one of the first people to wish you a happy birthday!” Mina exclaimed.
“Not just one of, mina. You’re the first!” Mina looked surprised.
“Really? What about your family?” Mina questioned.
“My… family… shoot, i haven’t checked my phone since I woke up!” Eijirou cried. Mina giggled and returned to her coffee.
Eijirou grabbed his phone, unlocked it, and went to his messages. He had four notifications from the family group chat.
Mom
Happy birthday, Ei!
Mama
Yeah, Eijirou baby! Happy birthday, darling! Me, your mom, and your sister are so sorry we can’t spend the whole day together, but if you’re free, we could have dinner at that steak place you like!
Haruka
Ooh yes! That place is so good!!
Haruka
Happy birthday, Ei!!!
Eijirou chuckled, and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t tear up a little bit. He knew exactly which restaurant his mama was talking about. It was expensive, definitely an only-for-special-occasions kind of place.
Eijirou
I’d love to go to dinner with you all! Thank you so much, by the way!
He put his phone in his pocket and sat back in his seat.
“Eijirou! Denki just told me that he and the rest of the squad are headed downstairs, so be prepared!” Mina called from the kitchen. A few moments later, the elevator door slid open and half a dozen people emerged. Of the more energetic were Izuku, Denki and Hanta, and of the calmer were Katsuki, Kyouka and Ochako.
“EI!” Izuku called, sprinting forward and crashing into Eijirou. “Happy birthday!!” Eijirou chuckled and hugged Izuku back. Izuku stood on his tip-toes, giving Eijirou a small kiss.
After that, Denki and Hanta rushed over and sang a short birthday song to Eijirou. Ochako and Kyouka said somewhat energetic birthday wishes, Ochako promising that they would be able to spar the next day. Finally, Katsuki relented and quietly said ‘happy birthday’.
Everyone found a seat on the couches, Mina sharing her coffee with the group. There was light chatter filling the air. Eijirou had a nice conversation with those sitting closest to him, Izuku and Denki. At some point, Hanta stood up in front of everyone, clearing xyr throat.
“Bowling alley!” xe exclaimed. Mina whooped in response. Eijirou liked the idea of going to a bowling alley; he used to go all the time with his moms and Haruka, and he went with the bakusquad once or twice. Eijirou found bowling fun. He liked the friendly competitiveness of it.
Between Hanta and Eijirou’s convincing, the entire group eventually agreed to go.
***
“Strike!” Mina yelled, immediately getting shushed by Katsuki.
“How?? That’s like, your third strike this game!” Hanta shouted.
“I practice!” Mina stretched, attempting to look professional. “Camie! It’s your turn!” The brown-haired girl stood up, walking towards the alley. Eijirou didn’t know her very well, but he was never opposed to meeting new people and making new friends. Besides, she seemed nice!
While a few more people took their turns, Eijirou scooted closer to Izuku so he could more easily be heard.
“’Zuku?” Eijirou said softly. Izuku hummed in acknowledgement. “I’m going out to dinner later with my family, and I wanted to know if you wanted to come? My moms already told me I could bring someone.”
“Ei! I would love to go with you, as long as you’re sure it’s okay!” Eijirou nodded.
***
Eijirou heard a knock at his front door. He ran downstairs, nearly slipping on the tile floor, and opened the door. There stood Izuku, wearing a white button-up shirt, black jeans, a dark green sports coat, and his regular red sneakers. His hair was somewhat tame, but it still retained its usual voluminous curls. Eijirou stepped aside to let Izuku through the doorway.
“Hey, Izu!” Eijirou greeted. Izuku smiled brightly, saying hello in return. Eijirou led Izuku up to his living room, where his mothers and his sister sat. Izuku had already met Eijirou’s family, and they had taken a liking to him. His mama appreciated how polite he was, his mom liked his energy, and Haruka always had fun talking to him about heroes.
They all sat around, cracking jokes until they had to leave for the restaurant.
The drive was pretty short and pleasant. They were seated quickly once they got to the restaurant. Eijirou sat in between Izuku and Haruka.
Everyone got their food, and afterwards, a few servers came out with a cupcake singing, the flame on the candle burning bright. Eijirou laughed and blew out the flame.
***
The night sky was stunning. The galaxies of stars, the faint tree line in the distance, the whirls of colours and textures. Eijirou stood on his balcony, staring upwards. Ee heard the door slide open, then close.
“The sky’s pretty tonight, isn’t it?” Izuku sighed. Eijirou nodded slightly, bringing his gaze away from the sky to Izuku’s face, and… woah. “Eijirou? Why are you staring at me?”
“Your freckles are kinda like constellations,” Eijirou muttered. He barely registered his words until pink blotches grew on Izuku’s face.
“That’s a really cute way of thinking,” Izuku giggled.
“You’re pretty.”
Izuku looked up at Eijirou, his eyes meeting Eijirou’s. “You are, too.”
Eijirou laughed and gently wrapped his arm around Izuku’s shoulder.
“Are you comfortable? It’s pretty cold out,” Eijirou asked.
“I'm good! It’s really nice out here!” Izuku replied. “So… happy birthday.”
“This has been one of the best birthdays I've ever had,” Eijirou said. Izuku giggled again, turning slightly and pressing his lips against Eijirou’s. It was warm, comforting. Eijirou always cherished their kisses.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”