Work Text:
Eli is used to people forgetting his birthday for Halloween and growing up like that makes him feel his birthday is not an important occasion.
***
Naib has been acting suspicious lately and Eli didn’t know why.
It starts a few days ago where Naib will start asking him random questions at random times.
“Your favorite color is still blue, right?” Naib asks out of nowhere while they were watching television before going to sleep.
“Yeah, it’s still blue,” Eli answer mindlessly, his whole attention is still on the television.
At first, he doesn’t have any special thought about it but then, it keeps happening.
“Your favorite flower is also still the same, right?” Naib asks again the next day.
“Do you have any food you want to eat recently?” Naib asks again a few days later when they were getting ready for bed. This question is not that weird because Eli thought Naib was just asking what does he want for dinner tomorrow but the next day, their dinner is a totally different menu. Eli just brushes it off because Naib did come home late that day so they eat takeout instead.
“Remember that one time you woke up crying because of a confetti popper,” Naib said.
Yes, Eli remembers but no, he doesn’t want to talk about it. It’s not his fault he didn’t get enough sleep for three days because of final and he didn’t ask William to come and pop some confetti right in front of his ear while he was finally having some rest.
Of course, Eli starts crying, he didn’t know if it was because of surprise, anger or tired, but it’s probably all of them.
***
On the morning of 31st October, Eli woke up early as always with Naib next to him. Naib kisses Eli’s forehead while whispering a soft happy birthday to Eli. They got ready like always, Eli for school and Naib for work. Naib didn’t send Eli to his campus today because he needs to do something before he starts today work.
Day went like always for Eli, except most of the students on his campus is wearing something a little bit different for the Halloween spirit. Eli went home a little bit later than usual, his friends invite him to eat to celebrate his birthday and they all sent him home with Norton’s car.
“Do you want to go inside first?” Eli asks. Eli doesn’t know why but today, all of his friends seem to stick closer to him than usual. Maybe because it’s his birthday? So he invites them in and Eli can feel that the whole car becomes brighter because his friends are smiling so wide at him.
They went inside, Eli leading them to the living room. When he opens the door to the living room, the first thing he hears is a loud pop and then, there’s confetti all over the place. The room was decorated with blue balloons and Eli can smell the scent of his favorite flower.
“Happy Birthday, Eli,” Naib greet, he was already in his casual clothes so he must be home for a while. Then, Eli can hear his friends start singing happy birthday for him and Aesop come back with a birthday cake, complete with candles. Once they finish singing, Aesop presents the birthday cake in front of him.
“Make a wish, Eli,” Aesop said with a rare smile in his face.
Eli can feel his eyes start to water.
Please let this happiness last forever, Eli wishes before blowing the candle and then the whole room cheered.
“Why are you crying, Eli? Are you surprised because of the confetti popper again?” Mike asked, his smile is so wide, Eli knows that Mike is teasing him.
“Please never talk about that incident ever again,” Eli said with a laugh while wiping his tears.
***
Late at night, after all of his friends go home. Eli lay next to Naib on the bed like always.
“Today is your idea, isn’t it?” Eli asked.
“Yeah, I didn’t know how you didn’t figure it out,” Naib answered.
“I also don’t believe how I didn’t notice,” Eli said while pulling Naib to cuddle. “I know you act suspicious this last few days, but I didn’t know you are planning a surprise.”
They fell into a comfortable silence after that.
“Are you happy?” Naib asked, breaking the silence.
“Yes,” Eli replied, his voice getting softer as sleep coming closer to him. He felt so happy today, he didn’t feel tired at all until now.
“Then, the plan is a success,” Naib said, but Eli didn’t reply because he already fell asleep. “Goodnight, Eli,” Naib whispers, planting one last forehead kiss before he also falls into slumber.