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“Happy birthday!” came several voices at the same time. Kaveh was very caught off guard and jumped a bit. His key dropped from his hand. All he did was enter his and Alhaitham's home, as he did any other day. The only difference may have been that he actually possessed his house key for once. Maybe then he should have realized something was different about today.
“Oh…?” A blank stare across the blond's face. It took a moment until he scanned the room and noticed humble, yet sweet decorations and a cake on the table. In no way was he expecting anything. In fact, he figured it would be just like any other regular day. Alhaitham may have taken him out to dinner, but he wasn't even expecting that either. He knew everyone was substantially busy as of late.
Cyno, placed in the back middle of the room, spoke up. “You're reacting less than when I make hilarious jokes…” He looks to Alhaitham to his right, his usual spot. “Is he sick?”
Before Alhaitham could answer, Kaveh did instead. “No, no! I'm sorry. I'm just… surprised! Which I suppose…was the intention.” He made himself smile. “I had thought I heard you all had your own various missions and tasks you were occupied with, so I really am surprised. I'm immensely grateful, but you didn't have to do all this!”
He subconsciously felt an eye roll, but could not locate who it belonged to.
It was Tighnari's turn to speak.
“It really was no trouble. We figured you'd be most surprised in your own home, where you'd least expect anything to happen.”
Cyno nodded. “You seem to be doing well lately. We wanted to celebrate that too, in a way.”
“You guys…” Kaveh's heart lit up and emotion welled up in him so much that he wasn't entirely sure how to express it.
Alhaitham silently beckoned him over to sit next to him and he made his way over immediately. They all sat down on the couches together and chatted more for some time before Kaveh realized there was delicious cake to be had. He was moved upon closer inspection of it. It nearly looked like a mini cake version of the Palace of Alaczarzaray. Tighnari noticed his eyes glossed over as if tears threatened to well up.
“Oh yeah, we commissioned this cake to be done for you.”
“I love it.” he responded before Tighnari finished his sentence.
“Ah, but wasn't it Alha-” Cyno started but felt a sudden ominous presence develop in the room, so he stopped. He eyed Alhaitham who was squinting at him. “Hmm…nevermind…”
“Huh?” Kaveh hadn't heard the first part as he was too engrossed in the cakes adorable features.
“You should open your presents.” Alhaitham finally contributed, nonchalant as always.
“Oh my God, you guys really didn't have to do all this…”
“Just say thank you.” Alhaitham said. He was not annoyed, yet folded his arms.
Kaveh paused and stared down at his lap for a moment, but nodded slowly in agreement. “You're right. Thank you, everyone.”
Cyno and Tighnari smiled at each other. Tighnari gestured for Cyno to go first.
“Me first, eh? Okay then.” Cyno brought out a tall, thin green bag he had hidden under the table and set it over in front of Kaveh.
Kaveh gripped his chest. His heart was so full. They all watched him intently as he pulled out the tissue paper. A bit…too intently.
He pulled out an expensive looking bottle of wine.
“Cyno, you did not have to-!”
“The card too.”
Kaveh halted his tears that threatened to fall once more and located the card. He opened it and Cyno gestured for him to read it out loud.
“Here's to you,” Kaveh paused before reading the next part, “whose /aged/ like a fine wine.”
Cyno smirked.
Why is the word “aged” emphasized? Kaveh briefly thought to himself.
“Thank you, Cyno. How…thoughtful.” A sweatdrop fell, though he knew he would enjoy partaking in the wine later, so he kept a smile.
Tighnari was next and brought out a small bag to set in front of Kaveh.
Kaveh happily moved on to this gift and pulled out the tissue paper once more. There were two gifts. Some kind of small square card and what appeared to be a catalogue.
He wasn't paying attention to those in the room as he scrutinized his gifts, but Cyno gently nudged Tighnari who had to bring his hand up to slightly cover his smiling mouth for some reason.
“What is ‘Diner's Club'? And this is…” Kaveh had a blank expression, trying to understand his gift, “A catalogue for…are these walkers?”
“Yeah! You can customize them quite a bit too.” Tighnari spoke as if this were a normal gift for someone who just turned 30.
“I…Thank you?” Another sweatdrop. “I can't help but wonder if there is a theme here.”
All three of them looked completely oblivious and innocent as to what Kaveh was implying.
“Huh? What do you mean?” Somehow, even though Tighnari spoke normally, Kaveh couldn't help but feel as though he may be holding back some kind of laugh.
Kaveh looked at Alhaitham now, searching his expression for any answers. He should have known better. His “husband” masked his emotion perfectly.
“I'm scared of yours.”
Alhaitham kept that blank stare. “I haven't even done anything yet.”
“You're scaring me.”
His former junior shrugged and placed a large, white card on Kaveh's lap. He stared at it for far too long before even touching it.
“I swear to god…” Kaveh mumbled under his breath.
“Hmm?” Alhaitham went.
“Nothing, darling.” Maybe he could send a little guilt towards him with the pet name. As with anything else he ever tried, it did not faze his younger lover.
All that was in the card was a single piece of paper that was folded like a pamphlet. When Kaveh hesitantly opened it further, he quickly realized it was a pamphlet for a local retirement home.
“YOU ALL ARE FUCKING RIDICULOUS.”
Smiles erupted around the room.
“What's the matter, Kaveh? Need to retire for the night?” Cyno said, still keeping that smirk from earlier.
“Or if you want to stop by the tavern, I can help you cross the street.” Tighnari added.
Once again, Kaveh looked at Alhaitham. He looked back at Kaveh, but didn't say anything.
“...oh come on. Get it out of your system.”
Alhaitham thought for a moment before he decided to speak.
“I don't know what you mean. All I really have to say is happy birthday,” a pause, “Grandpa.”
“YEAH, OKAY, THERE IT IS.” Kaveh jokingly threw his pamphlet at Alhaitham.
Cyno and Tighnari couldn't help but let out laughs they had been holding back the entire time. Despite their relentless teasing, seeing and hearing his “husband” and friends enjoying themselves sent him over the moon. The mood of the room was infectious and he soon joined in the laughter. A small smile even perched on Alhaitham's lips.
“Even though you guys are total jerks,” Kaveh said, holding his chest again, heart so full it felt like it could burst,
“Thank you, truly.”