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Max never really celebrated his birthday growing up, not because he didn’t necessarily want to but because there was no point. Why would he waste an entire day doing something else when he could be on the track practicing, and why would he eat unhealthy food and cake when he needed to be small enough fit in the kart. He was already chubby enough- at least that’s what Jos kept reminding him.
Safe to say it caught him off guard when Daniel woke him up on his birthday after they’d been dating for 6 months with a soft hum that Max’ tired brain took a while to connect as the happy birthday song.
Blinking his eyes open he expected Daniel to be up close so he could kiss him, like he usually is. What met him instead was a tray with homemade breakfast, eggs and bacon with toast on the side, a cup of hot chocolate and in the corner of the tray was a slice of his favorite cake from the bakery on the other side of the city. Daniel must have gotten up at sunrise to have time for all of this.
“What is this?”
“Well I do believe it’s called a breakfast, if you want I can google to make sure I’m using the right term.” Daniel cheeks and Max sticks out his tongue at him.
“It’s your birthday.” Daniel whispers softly and leans over the tray to press the gentlest of kisses on his forehead.
“Why are you doing this?” his voice wobbles pathetically and Max tries his best to ignore Jos’ voice reprimanding him in his head. It isn’t pathetic to show emotions, it isn’t pathetic to cry. Daniel has taught him that. He has taught him a lot of things.
Daniel looks at him for a while, not judging just lovingly. Admiring he’d told Max when he’d asked him once. It made Max flush all the way down to his toes back then, still does now.
“I’m doing this because it’s your birthday, because I love you and because you deserve to have good things.” He strokes Max cheek, mindful of the glass of milk next to the cocoa.
Max feels a tear slip down his cheek and Daniel wipes it away softly with his thumb.
“Is it okay?” Max nods quickly and feels his stomach flutter at the way Daniel’s face cracks open in his most genuine smile.
“Great! It’s tradition after all.” He winks and Max furrows his brow.
“I told you I don-”
“It’s a new tradition, our tradition.” Daniel moves around to sit next to Max and finally he gets his kiss.
“Our tradition.” Max echoes against soft lips and Daniel grins and leans in for another. Maybe birthdays can be a bit special after all.