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It was 1 am on the night before Ray's birthday. Ray was cuddled between the two loves of his life. Norman on his left curled into his chest with his arms around his torso and Emma on his right plastered against his back with her arms around his waist.
Ray knew he should be asleep along with the other two softly snoring beside him. Except he also knew if he went to sleep he'd regret it. It had been 7 years sinse that dreadful night. But it still wont leave his mind. The thought that he was going to light himself on fire infront of his, at the time best friend still haunts him to this day. What was he thinking? It would have crushed her to watch that. He cant help himself from thinking what if she hadn't caught the match? What then? Was he seriously going to burn himself to death infront of her? Yes. Yes he was and that hurts him more than anything. He was so heartless.
He heard the soft snoring of his two partners filling their 2 bedroom apartment. Sure they didnt actually need the other room, but Emma insisted on having it so that if any of their other siblings came, they would have a place to stay.
Ray was really fighting to stay awake. But he needed to. He couldn't have that nightmare again. It just wasnt an option. His eye lids were getting heavy though. And within 15 minutes he was out
----
Two hours later Ray's eyes flew open and be sprung up panting. He looked around the dark room as his eyes grew blurry and felt tears roll down his cheeks.
From behind him he heard a soft voice
"Ray?"
Emma
Then he heard another voice
"Baby are you okay?"
Norman
He cant look back at them he just cant. Luckily he didnt have to.
Emma crawled infront of Ray and breathed out "Baby what happened?"
Norman rolled over and turned on their small table lamp by their bed and joined Emma infront of Ray and wiped his tears away and breathed out "That bad?"
Ray noded and breathe out "I-it...it was the birthday o-one..."
Emma locked eyes with Norman. Both knowing exactly what that meant.
Emma pulled him tight against her chest and breathed out "Shhhh. It's okay baby. We're here."
Norman nodded in agreement and cupped his face gently and tucked his hair behind his ear before kissing his forehead.
Ray gently breathed out "W-what if Emma hadn't caught the match?..."
Emma froze a bit. She actually has thought about that.
What if she hadnt caught it?
What if?...
No.
There is no what ifs
She did catch the match.
Ray is safe and alive in her arms.
Norman is the first to break the silence and say "She did."
Emma nodded and said "Don't think about what would've happened if I didn't. I did"
Ray nodded still remembering the feeling of the gasoline going down his back. And the heat radiating off the match.
Norman breathed out "Baby it's your birthday and it's 3am. How bout we go back to sleep so we have enough energy to do everything Em and I have planned for later on."
Ray is a bit shaken at the thought of going back to sleep but nods his head nonetheless.
Emma layed him back down gently as Norman turned the lamp off. Then the other two cuddled back around him in they're original positions and had a peaceful sleep the rest of the night.
----
The next morning Emma woke up to the smell of bacon filling the air. Norman must have woken up early to make Ray his birthday breakfast. Emma looked over to Ray peacefully sleeping next to her and grinned. It wasn't often you saw Ray so peaceful. Moments like this were to be cherished.
After a few minutes Emma rolled over and saw the clock read 10 o'clock. She groaned a bit as she climbed out of bed and made her way to the bathroom then to the kitchen.
She walked up and wrapped her arms around Norman's waist and peered over his shoulder to see he's making pancakes, bacon and eggs.
"Morning Angel."
Norman breathed out as he flipped a pancake then turned to face her and give her a good morning kiss.
"Ray still not up?"
Emma shook her hand and asked "Want me to wake him up?"
Typically they would let Ray sleep in. But today was his birthday and they had plans so Norman smiled and nodded.
Emma grinned as she walked back to their room
"Morning Birthday Boy."
Emma smiled softly as she kissed his forehead
"Time to get up sleepy boy."
After a few minutes of him making no attempt to get up she rolled her eyes and pulled the covers off of him and opened the blinds
Ray hissed like a vampire which was honestly really cute.
Emma walked back over to him and kissed him gently and breathed out "Norman made breakfast baby. You have to get up." Ray made small protests but slowly got up.
----
Emma skipped back into the kitchen with Ray following slowly behind and rubbing his eyes. His hair all messed up.
Out of the corner of his eye, Norman saw the two come in as he's dishing the food and setting the table.
Norman walked up to Ray and said "Morning my Ray of sunshine. Happy birthday!" And gives him his good morning kiss, then hands him his breakfast.
Ray smiled softly and said "Thanks babe." And went to go sit down and eat. The others soon joining him at the table as well.
----
About a half hour later, once they all finished up their food, Emma cheered "Okay! Present time! This year Norman and I decided to come together to get your present!"
Ray looked at both of them and said "Guys I told you I didnt want anything. I dont want you wasting your money on me."
Emma said "It's not wasting money. Besides, your worth every penny we own." Norman smiled and nodded in agreement.
Ray rolled his eyes ans was like "Fine. As long as you two didnt spend to much."
Norman grinned and said "Well it definitely wasnt cheap."
Ray was like "Guys c'mon. Seriously?"
Emma was like "You dont even know what it is yet thoughhhh."
Ray was like "Fine. But if it's to expensive we're going to return it."
Emma smiled big and run off to get it. About a minute later she returned obviously hiding something behind her back and asked "Ready?"
Ray nods as she pulls out a long green bow that could've easily have costed a few hundred on it's own and in the other hand long black arrows. With handmade arrowheads that are crazy sharp with green arrows at the ends. All together easily costing around a thousand dollars.
Ray's jaw drops in shock when he sees it. Sure he doesn't need it to kill demons anymore in the human world. However, he absolutly loves archery and the occasional hunting trips.
Both Norman and Emma giggle at his reaction. Loving the utter shock on his face.
Emma is the one who breaks the silence by asking "You like it?" Ray nods fast and stands up to take it from her. Emediatly loving the feeling of the bow in his hands.
He's in shock for another minute before saying "Thank you guys. So much."
Norman grins and asks "You want to return it?"
Ray was like "Hell no. Mine now"
The other two giggled and Norman smiled and said "Well then. How bout we all get dressed and head out to celebrate a birthday."
Emma and Ray nodded fast and they all went to go get dressed.
----
Their first stop was the liberty. They stayed there for a few hours just reading and enjoying the silence and each others company.
After that Ray wanted to go to the mall. They spent hours in the mall going from store to store. In specific Barnes and Noble, Hot Topic and Box Lunch. They also stopped by the food court to grab Chick fil A before heading out for a walk around a nearby park walking hand in hand and talking about life and what they want in the future.
After a few hours of walking they finally got hungry again and went to Ray's favorite restaurant. Sinse it was his birthday he got to choose a free dessert. That being a two scoop sundae to share among the three of them.
Next, Ray wanted to go out and try his new bow. So they went back home to grab their bow and arrows. Sinse it they were new arrows Ray didn't want to go hunting, not wanting to cover the beautiful black, homemade arrows in blood on his first day he got them. So instead of hunting animals, they brought targets to put up on the trees in the woods. Each of them hitting the bowls eye nearly every time.
About an hour and a half the sun started to go down, so they made their way back to their home.
Once they got there, Norman pulled out a small cake from the fridge claiming to have made it with Emma yesterday morning before he got up. His heart swelled at the small act of kindness that was the small chocolate cake infront of him. It was covered in white frosting, rainbow sprinkles and black lettering on the top that red 'Happy 19th Birthday Ray' surrounded by 19 candles.
After they lit the candles, sung him Happy birthday and he blewout the candles, Norman cut the cake in three even sections. And said "Hey Ray, why dont you pick out a movie?"
Ray smiled softly and nodded.
----
Within the next 5 minutes they all had their cake, snuggled up together under blankets and watching The Avengers.
Each of them finished their amazingly good cake, that Ray recognized as his own recipe, within 5 minutes and they cuddled closer. Emma resting her head on Ray's right shoulder and Norman resting his head on his left. And finally Ray resting his head on top of Norman's.
After a few minutes Ray breathed out "I love you guys. Today was amazing."
They would both hum in agreement and Emma said "We love you too Ray."
Norman nodded and added "And we always will."
Then both of them in unison said "Happy 19th Birthday babe."
About half way through the movie both Norman and Emma fell asleep against him.
Sure he hated the nightmares. But it was definitely worth all the love he received in return.
Emma and Norman had promised him they would never leave him and they haven't.
Ray promised them he would never leave them either and he hasnt.
And he wont.
He'll stay by Norman and Emma's side
Forever.