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“Rae, what would you like for your birthday this year?”
Miss Claire had blindsided me just as we were sitting down for breakfast. I’d never been good at deciding upon gifts for myself. Saying something too lavish made me feel selfish, but people don’t want to hear boring answers like “socks” or “new kitchen tools”. After all, birthday gifts were supposed to be “special” or “cool”. To that I say: How are new kitchen appliances NOT cool?
“I haven’t given it much thought,” I said, taking a hardy bite of the breakfast that I had prepared for us. Today’s offerings included fresh white rice, a fried egg, and salmon left over from last night’s dinner. All of the flavors were perfectly blended together, such that each forkful harmonized in my mouth.
“Honestly Rae,” Miss Claire said, sighing into her morning mocha. “How am I meant to make you feel special on your birthday if you don’t at least give me something to work with?”
Lewd images clouded my thoughts at the word “something”. I smiled wryly at my partner. “Well, I suppose I might have a few ideas…”
Miss Claire’s face was blank for a moment, until the truth of my words finally hit her. She then turned a deep crimson as she gave me forceful slap on the arm. I continued to smile.
“I see you’re starting early,” I winked. As Miss Claire became more and more flustered, I calmly ate what was left of my food.
She’s just too cute.
---
“I’ve been asked by a certain patron, who wishes to remain anonymous, to inquire as to what you want for your birthday.”
There was a playful tone in Misha’s voice as she worked on cleaning the mugs and glassware that our customers at the café had been using throughout the day. I rolled my eyes.
“E tu, Misha?” I said, glaring in her direction.
Misha laughed and gave me a sly wink.
“This patron made me a very compelling offer,” she responded. “What can I say?”
“And what might that be, that you would betray your best, and only, friend?” I placed the back of my hand on my forehead, pretending to faint. Misha rolled her eyes.
“Okay firstly, I do have other friends, ya know!”
“Yuu doesn’t count!”
Misha groaned. “Wasn’t talking about Yuu, dumbass.”
“Oh really now?” I said. “Fine, name one other friend you have that isn’t me or the Bauer siblings and I’ll tell you my secret birthday wish.”
“Lene.”
“Oh. Right.”
“Deal’s a deal, Rae,” Misha said in her usual deadpan tone. “Now tell me what you want so I can get my $50.”
“You sold me out for $50?”
“Uh, yeah. That’s five whole volumes of manga!”
“You’re so selfish…”
“And YOU’RE being a stubborn ass.” Misha sighed as she moved closer to me and pretended to examine the dessert case.
“Ugggggggh,” I whined. “Fiiiiiine. The truth is: I don’t know what I want, okay? Miss Claire has been asking me for days now and I just… don’t have a straight answer.”
“I mean, Rae, you never have a straight answer for anything.”
At that, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“And I mean, at least she’s asking this year instead of burning her house down again.”
Another chuckle escaped my lips. “Yeah, you’ve got me there.”
---
As I locked up the café for the evening, I looked up at the cloudless summer sky.
What do I want? I asked myself. I basically have everything I could ever ask for… I have a nice place to live, food in the fridge, no major life crises… and to top it all off, I get to spend every day with the love of my life.
Kinda hard to want something when you’re so content.
A trip maybe? That seems too expensive. Plus, I have work. Maybe a new video game? No… I’m already way deep into MegaBlade Stories 3. Definitely want to focus all my effort on that.
I sighed and decided to sit for a moment in the shade of one of our campus’ large cherry trees. I closed my eyes and felt a cool breeze saunter across my face, tickling ever so slightly. The sounds of rustling leaves and other students going about their business rang through my ears. It was a potent cocktail of sensation that allowed me to lose myself in a brief moment of peace.
“Rae?” A sweet voice had down next to me under the tree. I didn’t need to open my eyes to know who it belonged to.
“Yes, Miss Claire?”
“Are you okay? I hate the thought of you getting heat stroke out here.”
“I’m fine, but I appreciate you checking.”
“Did you eat lunch today?”
“For once, yes. And I drank lots of water.”
I let myself fall into my beloved, resting my head on her shoulder. Miss Claire put her arm around me and rested her head on mine, kissing me softly on the forehead.
“I’m sorry I don’t know what I want for my birthday,” I said.
“That’s alright my love,” Miss Claire responded. “I just want to make sure you feel special.”
At that, I jolted upright, looking Miss Claire directly in the eyes. “Oh Miss Claire, I feel special every day when we’re together!”
Miss Claire laughed. “Is that so?” she said, planting another light kiss on my cheek. “Even when I accidentally stand in front of the TV when you’re playing games?”
“Of course!”
“Even when I’m sick and I look like a total mess?”
“Always!”
“Even when-“
I took Miss Claire’s hands firmly in my own. “Miss Claire, there is absolutely nothing you could do that would make me stop loving you.”
Miss Claire blushed, staring down at our hands. She rubbed mine gently with her thumbs.
“Well, I know what I want for your birthday, at least…”
“And what would that be, my dear?”
Miss Claire looked up, still blushing. Her eyes darted side to side. “Don’t make me say it…”
I grabbed Miss Claire’s chin and pulled her lips toward mine, causing her to glow even more red than before.
“Rae!” she said, attempting to cover her face with her hands. “We’re in public!”
“Well, you best tell me what you were going to say then,” I smiled. “Otherwise I’ll just keep having to pepper you with kisses.”
Miss Claire rolled her eyes. “Alright, alright…” She took my hands back in hers and swallowed hard. “I’d… I’d like it if we could spend many more of your birthdays together.”
In that moment, my heart exploded. My love for Miss Claire swelled in my chest, crescendoing into a huge, unabashed kiss. I held her tightly and kissed her deeply, like nothing else mattered in the world.
And frankly, in that moment, nothing did.
“Miss Claire,” I whispered, breaking our kiss for only a moment. “That’s what I want, too.”
