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August 29th.
Despite being his birthday, or the day he arrived at the orphanage, it just felt like any other day to Otto.
Birthdays were never too special at St. Sebastian's, mainly because they never had the money to throw a party or get any gifts for the kids. The most a kid would get was a cake.
Even if the day wasn't too special to him, he decided it wouldn't hurt to tell Wing when his birthday was. It was only their second year at HIVE but he had grown close to Wing, especially after what happened in Tokyo. Unfortunately, Shelby had found out shortly after, and she seems like the type to throw a huge party for someone, or at least try.
He sat on his bed, notebooks sprawled out in front of him. Usually when he had nothing to do, he'd just look over any notes he had for his classes. All he could do for that day especially, as he didn't want to be dragged off somewhere by Shelby.
He let out a sigh and flopped down, staring at the ceiling. Just a year ago he had left to keep the orphanage from being shut down, only for Raven to show up and shoot him with a sleeper shortly after.
He wondered if anyone at the orphanage missed him, or if they just assumed he died in a ditch somewhere and moved on with their lives. They probably forgot what that day was.
He heard the door open, and looked over to see Wing walking in.
"Hello Otto." The taller boy said with a smile, "Shelby has been looking for you. She wanted to give you something."
"I'm not really interested in taking any gifts." He responded, "Tell her I appreciate the thought, though."
Wing frowned, "Well I have it with me right now. I don't think she'd be too happy if I gave it back."
Otto rolled over, facing away from Wing now, "She'll get over it."
Wing sat down on the bed next to Otto. Otto didn't look over at him. He just stared at the wall, silent.
The room stayed quiet for a few moments, neither of the boy's saying a word.
Eventually, the awkward silence was broken when Wing said, "I am assuming your birthday is not a good day for you either?"
Otto rolled onto his back, now looking at Wing, who just looked back at him with his usual blank expression. Yet, Otto could see a hint of worry in his eyes.
"It just feels like any other day to me." He responded with a shrug, "Never really did anything special except for cake. We didn't even get the song." He chuckled a bit. "Ya know, my thirteenth birthday is when Raven showed up to bring me here. Guess you could say it's my villainy anniversary."
Wing laughed, a warm booming laugh that brought a smile to Otto's. It was a rare sound, as Wing wasn't the most expressive person. Otto liked it when he managed to make Wing laugh.
"I suppose you could say that. Though wouldn't that be true for most of our year? We were brought here at the same time."
"Hey, let me make a joke without being too technical." Otto said with a grin. He soon sat up, "So, I'm guessing your birthday isn't a good day either? To be completely honest here, I can definitely see why."
"I just stopped caring for it after a while, but my father's negligence is part of the reason why." Wing sounded calm as he explained. It wasn't unusual for him to be so calm yet it still made Otto pretty uneasy at times.
"He did seem like a dick, you know, with the whole trying to destroy the school stuff." He joked, and Wing responded with a smile.
"You always manage to throw a joke out there."
"What can I say, I'm a hilarious guy." Otto laughed. He soon scooted over next to Wing, "now what did Shelby send you here to give me?"
Wing raised an eyebrow, "I thought you weren't interested in gifts?"
"Hey, I'm curious." Otto grinned, "Now, what is it?"
Otto watched as Wing picked up something that had been laying next to him. It looked like a birthday card made out of printer paper, "It was my idea, actually. We couldn't find any colorful paper though but Shelby somehow got a hold of normal paper."
Otto looked at the front of the card. It said "HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOSER" In large, bubble letters, and underneath it was a little doodle of him wearing a party hat that said "dunce" on it.
"I did not want her to write or draw that but unfortunately, Laura, Franz, and Nigel encouraged her. I'd say she had no ill intent but… it's Shelby." Wing said with a slight chuckle.
Otto just stared at it. He appreciated the thought behind it, even if the result was slightly rude.
"Well, go on. Read what's inside."
Otto opened the card. The first thing he noticed was the name and messages on the left side. Nigel, Wing, and Franz just signed their names. Laura signed hers but added a "happy birthday!" with a little heart next to it. Shelby just wrote "happy birthday bitch." with a heart next to it as well. Didn't even write her name.
"Well, Shelby decided to be rude." He chuckled.
"I was opposed to it. Now read the other side."
Otto looked at the message written on the other side. Otto recognized it as Wing's handwriting, but he could tell it was the thoughts of all of them.
Otto wasn't one to cry over little things, or things people would consider little. But at that moment, a realization hit him. A realization that there were people that did truly care for him. That didn't see him as their boss, or as a tool for more money, or just as the weird kid that showed up at the library almost every day.
That there were people that viewed him as a friend.
He felt Wing place a hand on his shoulder, "Are… are you crying?" he sounded worried.
Otto hugged Wing, not even caring about hiding the tears.
"Thank you." He mumbled, his voice muffled.
Wing returned the hug, "you are welcome. I had no idea it would make you cry, though. I am sorry for that."
"It's fine." He sniffled, "Not bad tears. Happy tears are a thing, big guy."
"I am assuming you do not want the others to know about this."
"You better tell them I just said thanks. Say any more and I'm smothering you in your sleep." Otto looked up at him, a smile ruining his threat.
"Noted. Though, I probably should have told you that they wanted you to go to Shelby and Lauras room after I gave you the card."
"That would've been nice to know." Otto fully sat up, using his sleeve to wipe away the tears.
"Sorry."
"Well, I can't hide my emotions forever anyways. Better not keep them waiting any longer." He stood up and walked over to the door, "though I will admit, I'm dreading what they have in store for me."
Wing walked over next to him, "all I will say is be glad we have someone who's good at baking and decorating."
"Well, that's good to know."