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English
Series:
Part 5 of palasaki week 2024 but i'm 7 months late
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Palasaki Week 2024
Stats:
Published:
2025-04-14
Words:
350
Chapters:
1/1
Comments:
5
Kudos:
6
Bookmarks:
1
Hits:
28

you were so hard to find

Summary:

Day Five of Palasaki Week 2024 : Free Day

Niko plans a surprise birthday party for Crystal.

Notes:

Title is from The Beautiful Ones by Prince, because I've spent about two hours trying to find a title that fits the story better and got nothing.

Work Text:

It's the 16th March, 2025.

Crystal's first clue is the birthday-cake earrings. She spots them whilst they're walking back to the Tongue and Tail - It could just be Niko's dedication to the colour scheme, but she grins when Crystal notices them, and is creepily tight-lipped about it.

The next clue is her shirt, which is a cartoon cat poking it's head out of a pink gift box. Not to mention Niko's horribly unsubtle hints about the 'big day'.

Eventually, Crystal caves, smiling knowingly.

"Is it your birthday? Are you saying I forgot your birthday?" She turns on Niko, grinning teasingly. "Do you want a present, or were you just waiting for me to notice?"

But Niko shakes her head. Grins, like it's her who's one step ahead of Crystal.

When they get up the stairs, Niko puts her hands on Crystal's shoulders and swivels her around so she's facing Niko's door intead of her own.

"What?"

Crystal laughs a little, but her when the door opens, her breath catches in her throat. There are pink and purple balloons, and a sparkling banner on the wall. The cake on the table says 'Happy 17th, Crystal!'

She turns to Niko, and she tries to talk, but instead it's this embarrassing half-sob and Niko gets dragged into a hug. Eventually, she calms down enough to sniffle, "What's all of this for?"

Niko glances away. She's fidgeting, avoiding eye contact to make sure she gets the words out.

"You said you didn't know anything about yourself. I figured you wouldn't know your birthday. I... also figured you'd be a Pisces. Strong intuition, kinda psychic. Selfless. So, I thought we could celebrate today. Say it's your birthday."

That makes Crystal start sobbing again.

"Oh my God."

The cake is beautiful - ordered from a bakery, not shop-bought. They sit on Niko's couch to eat it, and Crystal manages to wipe away her tears long enough to thank Niko again.

(Privately, one of the only memories she managed to get back was her birthday. That doesn't stop it from becoming March the 16th every year after that.)