Work Text:
It was a beautiful day at Ravka. Birds sang, the sun was rising, it was warm. Spring had arrived. You sat at the cliffside, just watching some deers grazing below, when you heard a familiar voice behind you: "Good morning." You turned to see Mal standing there with a small tray of a couple of sandwiches, sitting down beside you and handing one over. He smiled softly as you took a bite on the sandwich he'd made for you; his hand brushed against yours in passing before you both ate their breakfast quietly together.
"I'm glad you're here," you said after finishing your first mouthful, and then blushed slightly. "I... I mean I'm glad you both are here. You and Alina. It's always nicer to spend a birthday with friends than alone..." Your words trailed off awkwardly.
Mal laughed gently, taking a bite from his own sandwich too. "Well, we wouldn't miss this for anything. We both missed you." His eyes were fixed firmly upon the view beyond you—a vast expanse of forest stretching away into the distance like an endless green ocean. A gentle wind blew through your hair, rustling leaves around you. The air smelled sweetly fresh. "The sandwich is good?" asked Mal, nodding towards the plate that rested between you. You nodded again, smiling shyly up at him.
"Glad to have breakfast made for my birthday. Thank you. And yes, it really does taste delicious." You smiled, and Mal felt his lips curling up in a smile. you felt another blush coming up as you looked into each other's eyes, so you quickly turned your gaze back to the small field at the side of the forest. Deers that had been grazing there a moment ago were now walking across the grasses, heading deeper into the trees.
Mal thought for a moment, but then gently wrapped his arm around your shoulders. You flinched slightly at the contact, but before Mal could retreat, you smiled a little wider and leaned your head on his shoulder instead. You continued watching the sunrise, two not-quite friends anymore, sharing an intimate moment.
Alina dropped by the scene for a moment, but upon seeing you and Mal cuddling, she quietly made her leave with a big smile on her face. She had waited for so long for her two best friends to get together already, she had watched you pining over each other for years, both oblivious of the other's feelings. But now it looked like you had finally taken your first step towards something deeper than just friendship.
It was a birthday gift for you - a kind of gift you hadn't even dreamed of getting.