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It was a misty winter's morning in Paris, and the air smelled of damp flowers. The cobbled streets were quiet, with just the occasional road sweeper or mad delivery driver rattling along. Even the bakeries hadn't opened their doors to customers yet. Montmartre was tranquil, with the numerous little cafes not yet opened, chairs turned upside down on tables and striped awnings not yet pulled back. As the soft rain drizzled down like a spritz of perfume from an expensive bottle, you stirred. Char d'Argent, the bookshop you and Polnareff owned, was closed today. After all, it was an important day- your birthday!
You opened your eyes slowly, as you always got up early on birthdays. Jean was still softly snoozing beside you, and you checked the clock on your bedside table. 6am- not too early. You slid out of bed, toes curling on the cold wooden floor, and fetched some lettuce from the fridge to feed Donny. He was your pet tortoise, as you and Jean had found him abandoned in a fishbowl in an alleyway once. You'd adopted him and nursed him back to heath, and now the little blighter was borderline indestructible. There were three things it was universally agreed on that would survive a nuke- cockroaches, twinkies, and Donny.
"Breakfast." You said, refilling his water bowl and dropping in the lettuce leaves. Donny plodded over and started to chew, and you slid back into bed. Polnareff scrunched his face, and opened his good eye as he looked up at you.
"Happy birthday, y/n." He grinned, propping himself up with a pillow and his good arm. "How are you doing?"
"I slept good, and Donny's been fed." You said, kissing him on the forehead. He laughed, and pulled himself into a sitting position, reaching out to connect his prosthetic arm and legs. He clipped on his little pink eye patch, and slung himself into his chair.
"I've gotta great surprise planned for you, Mon chere." He said, a touch of his old playfulness coming through. "But first... breakfast?"
Eggs and bacon sizzled in a pan as you sliced and buttered bread. Polnareff kept his eye on the hot food as he wheeled to the cupboard by the dining room, and pulled out a box.
"Our friends sent us some stuff for your birthday." He said. "There's a fair few things here."
"Even Joseph?"
"Yeah! It took him ages to get this through customs though." You opened up your gifts as Polnareff plated up breakfast, and you couldn't help but grin. Joseph had gotten you some Midori, your favourite alcohol, and Jotaro had gotten you a sea glass necklace. Avdol had sent a few old books, with incense sprinkled in his card so it smelled good, and Kakyoin had gotten you a bottle of your favourite perfume. You pulled out your phone and texted thank-yous to them, as Polnareff put a plate of bacon and eggs before you.
"Shall we be extra and have Midori with breakfast?" You suggested.
"I'm not complaining." Your boyfriend replied, kissing you on the cheek.
The rain pattered down outside, but you didn't complain, as it was warm and cozy in the apartment. You'd been setting up the projector, rolling down the big screen you had in the living room, and arranging pillows and blankets on the sofa to make a little nest. Polnareff had bought snacks and popcorn, and he was yet to give you your present.
"This is for you, y/n." He said, passing you a large rectangular gift. You peeled it open, your eyes lighting up as you saw what it was. It was an art book for your favourite film, Howls Moving Castle!
"Jean, that's my favourite film! Thank you!" You grinned, kissing him.
"Y/n, I knew you'd like it when I saw it. How about a Ghibli marathon for your birthday?" He asked, holding up the box of Ghibli DVDs you owned.
"Polnareff, you read my mind. God, I love you."
"Heart and soul?"
"Heart and soul."