Work Text:
Osvald remembered the straps of his muzzle. Hard and tough, cutting into his cheeks with metal clips and scratchy stitching. Built not for comfort, but to stay pressed on his mouth at any cost. Compared to that, this bit of twine round his face was a blessing. He adjusted his pointy paper hat. Flexed his jaw to remind himself: The muzzle was gone.
"Ya don't have to wear it if it's that bad," whispered Partitio. "I reckon, party clothes should feel good. Let folks concentrate on dancin' and-"
"I want to." Osvald cut him off. "...At least until we yell 'surprise.'" For Elena, he could take the discomfort.
The scholar and merchant were crouched behind the sofa, each holding a wrapped gift box. The chairs concealed classmates and same-aged neighbor kids- Elena's friends. Squirming with anticipatory giggles.
Osvald watched his husband, those shining eyes and that trademark yellow coat. A matching pointy hat had replaced his fedora. He sat with his long legs folded beneath him and a dreamy grin on his face. Probably excited for Elena to get here. The "surprise" thing was his idea, after all.
He gave Partitio a quick, loving hand squeeze, and stroked his beard. Slipped his fingers under the soft strand of twine tucked behind his ears. Tied loosely at his chin.
This was a party hat. Goofy, patterned paper.
His muzzle was rotting in the snow on Frigit Isle.
The mental image vanished with the scrape of the front door. Running footsteps and Elena's light, airy chatter, followed by a "Slow down, dear!" from Lady Clarissa.
"It's time!" whispered Partitio. "Get ready, everyone..."
The footsteps got louder as the girl drew near, fresh from a morning of study. "...And next I'm thinking fire magic! It's tough, but the calculations are fun. I could practice with Papa and-"
"SURPRISE!" Everyone sprang from their hiding spots, throwing confetti. "Happy birthday, Elena!"
Her eyes filled with tears. "You... You actually..."
Osvald's heart sank. "We're sorry-"
"No!" Elena threw her arms round his waist, leaning on him. "I'm happy. I really am! It's just, Pa- I mean Harv- I mean, that bad man told me playing is a pointless distraction. He said I'm stupid for wanting... I-I thought I'd never get a birthday party!"
Osvald felt a spark of anger. He wanted to go back in time and break Harvey's nose... He shushed these thoughts, and rubbed comforting circles on his daughter's back.
"Hey now, chickadee..." Partitio joined the hug, lightly patting her head. "There's no shame in cryin'. And as for the 'stupid' bit, you're one of the smartest folks I know."
"Thanks. I-I'm alright now." Elena stepped back, wiped her face, and announced, "Let's party!"
It was unlike anything Osvald was used to. He doffed the uncomfortable pointy hat, and watched the fun.
The children whacked a pinata, gleefully snatching up candy.
Chased each other up and down the yard, shrieking, "Tag!" and "Tag back!"
Played hide-and-seek with Partitio as "it." Partitio was good at keeping games fun. Good at strolling past bad hiders with a cheerful, "Gee, where'd that kid vanish to?"
Osvald knew crowds and clamor. Knew the crack of a whip, the vicious shouts of a prison riot. But this time, the noise was a good sign. These were shrieks of happiness.
Though years in a muzzle had weakened his vocal chords, he sang as he unveiled the cake. Croaked out a soft, "Happy birthday, dear Elena..."
She gave him a watery smile, and blew out the candles.
She opened her presents with gusto. Various dolls and toys from her friends, a book of adventure stories from Partitio, and finally Osvald's gift: A fluffy plush cait.
He'd gone out of his comfort zone, getting something not magic-related. When Osvald thought back to his own high-pressure schooling, he'd decided: I'll help her in her studies, but our relationship is not based solely on academic merit.
Elena hugged her new plush and laughed, "I love her! Thanks, Papa!"
When the sun went down and the sky grew dark, the kids ran outside to chase fireflies. Shining green-gold, bobbing a few feet over the grass. The thought of trapping bugs in a jar made Elena slump sadly behind her hair. So the kids decided: This was a catch-and-release firefly hunt.
Near the house, Lady Clarissa passed out marshmallows. "One for the birthday girl, and one for you... Osvald, will you help us, please?"
He approached. A pillar of flame formed in his hand. The same spell that had burned his captors to the bone, the raging fire in his breast... He held it still. Let his daughter and her friends roast treats on sticks.
"Thanks, Mr. Vanstein."
"...You're welcome."
He ended up sitting with Partitio, on the repaired wooden swing. Their hips touching. "Well, Mr. Osvald!" quipped the merchant. "You're the life of the party."
"I just helped where I was needed."
"Still, look how happy she is." Nearby, Elena sat on the grass with her friends. She had a big smile, and a firefly crawling on her hand. "I'd call today a huge success!"
The scholar replied with a grunt, leaning on his husband. He loved that Partitio was taller. His head slotted into the crook of his neck like it belonged there.
The merchant's arm slid up to rest across his shoulders. "'Course, I'm great at plannin' a shindig. It's in my name!"
"...Party is spelled with a Y."
And his husband kissed the crown of his head with a dreamy, "Don't change, partner."
Osvald gazed out over the yard, his head pressed on Partitio's shoulder, watching the fun. The thuds of running children's footsteps, and the easy chatter of Elena and her guests.
He squeezed Partitio's hand. This time was a blessing.