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It hadn’t been such a surprise. Then again, I’m not really one for surprises. Jun had planned a “surprise” party for him every year.
I don’t even know my real birthday. Who’s to say this is the correct date?
Over time though, the date had grown in significance. Not so much a celebration of self, but one of friends, family, stability.
And she had been there this year.
*
He came up behind her, wrapping his arms easily around her. Warm water plished over her fingers and the very last serving dish of the night.
“Oi. Why are you smiling like that?”
“I’m just happy it’s your birthday, Akira.”
She’s just as terrible at keeping secrets as Jun is.
She rested the last dish in the rack, drying her hands on the towel. She turned into his arms, reaching up to kiss him on the jaw before wrapping her arms around him and pressing her head into his chest. A beat. Then two. Then three.
She sighed contentedly. “Did you have a good time?” He laughed. “I did. But—“ She looked up at him, curious. “I’m ready to be alone with you for a little while.” He watched her cheeks turn peach-pink, and then the pale pink blossoms of spring and the soft coral orange of dusk in summer as he closed his eyes and their lips met. He squeezed her hand. “Let’s head upstairs.” A soft nod. Yes, let’s.
*
That smell...fire? Sort of. Candles?
He unlocked the door to the suite, gasping. The salt lamps were on as they had been, but an array of white candles— so many candles! were lit throughout the entire suite.
I didn’t smell any of this on Megumi at all; I know I would have picked it up, even if these clearly aren’t regular candles. And she was there at the party all night. So how—?
Megumi smiled at his surprise. “Happy birthday, Akira.” He turned to her. “How did you—?” She laughed. “Oh I hope you don’t mind! I got a little help from some friends…”
Alice. Ryo. Hisako. Erina. Those four…this is just like them, so over the top. How many places in this suite exactly do they think we’re going to have sex in one night?!
He smiled at her. “I’ll go easy on them for breaking in...this time.” His hands caressed her waist. Might as well get to enjoying the ambiance…
She looked up at him again. “Mm! There’s one more gift…” “Oh?” She was blushing again. Taking his hand she drew it to her heart, then unfurled his fingertips, guiding them gently along her collarbones before they dipped below the scooped neckline of her dress. A tiny vial? How did I not detect this at all?? He pulled it from her bra, warm with the heat of her skin. “Open it, and see if you like it.”
Nano-sealed. Alice helped with this. It opened with a tiny pop. Just strong enough. Simple, but deep. Cinnamon, lavender, cloves. Delightful, but not quite— “It smells nice. Thank you.” She gave a small smirk. “Ano...it’s not for you.” He raised an eyebrow. Then why did you say this was a gift—oh. She nodded, taking the vial from his fingers. “I’m only going to put a little on. I can take it off if it’s not quite right.”
It was a bit risky, this gift, wasn’t it? None of us have his nose. But Alice used the best tech, and Erina and Hisako and I looked at the different ratios of the base compounds, too.
A single drop from the vial on her wrist. She pressed them together lightly. There. He took her wrists, bringing them to her decollage and the back of her neck. I guess he likes it, then. “Megumi, thank you.” His emerald eyes flashed in gratitude and desire as he bent his head toward her. “It’s not too much?” “Hmmm?” His head was already buried in the crook behind her ear, his soft lips pressed against her skin. It smells so different on her. Of course. It’s perfect.
His muffled voice came from below her ear, from across her collarbones, from between her breasts. “How could you ever be too much, Megumi?”
Her trembling fingers reached for his hair; his lips had reached the crevasse of her neck. “You know...we’re only going to use this for special occasions. I can’t have you getting too used to this level of luxury. Or tiring out your nose.” She laughed. “Or me.” An affirmative type of noise. She laughed again, already a little out of breath. “Or yourself.”
His fingers had already found the bottom hem of her dress; and his neatly pressed shirt was already on the floor.
How many places are there in this suite, again?