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“Hey, hey, bird boy!”
“I’m sorry, what’d you call me?”
Eight opens his eyes, staring unamusedly up at a familiar samurai.
Jack gives him a winning grin nonetheless. “Bird boy! I think it’s way better than Shorty, don’t’cha think?”
“Yeah, I guess it’s better, but not much better.”
“Aaagh.” The samurai scratches at the back of his neck. “Stop making fun of my nicknames for you! Come on, let’s get going!”
Eight looks at the hand outstretched for him, smirks and decides to stop giving Jack grief, taking it and letting the other pull him up. “And what thing did you decide you wanted to include me in this time?”
“It’s not anything too scary.” The blond cheekily looks back at him as they make their way out of the dormitory. “Actually, it’s all about you!”
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The first thing Eight says is “Whoa.”
Because everyone’s there in the classroom, even on their day off. Even Machina and Rem, who had joined only recently.
All of them are joined up on the center table, which was covered in some sparse but colorful decorations, as well as several pouches decorated with Eight, as well as sewn on hearts.
“Happy birthday!” Nine yells, and the rest echo it, waving to Eight as Jack leads him down the steps.
“We have food, board games, obstacle courses and presents for you,” Queen announces, and she has a rare smile on her lips. “I hope this is alright; we did the best we could considering that there’s not much opportunity for leisure during wartime.”
Eight can’t speak for a moment, having seen the attractions set up around the room: hoops for him to jump through, a strategy board game he used to play with Mother, and an arts and craft station in the corner.
“This is more than enough,” he remarks, brows raising. “Why’d you do so much for me?”
“Well, you’re always super strong for us,” Cinque pops up. “So we wanted to make you super super happy today!”
Eight feels himself starting to smile too. “I… thank you, everyone.”
“We also have a-” Sice points rather aggressively at the table. “Cake! That I baked! So you’d better like it, and if you don’t like it just eat it anyway!”
Her face is flushed, and Eight has to laugh at that. “Don’t worry, I know I will.”
Jack leads him to the table, sitting him down with everyone around him, and for once, Eight feels like a little kid.