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The plan was simple: wake up early, take the first train, and surprise him. So now, here you are exiting the train at the ass crack of dawn with no other passengers, because what normal person would be awake at this time? If there were any birds in Skyhaven, you’re sure even they would be asleep. So how…
“How. The. Fuck. ARE YOU HERE ALREADY?!” Because there he was, your Caleb, standing in all his six-foot-two-inch glory, with a smug look plastered on his face. Really, you ought to scrape it off for him.
You raise your arms, but an invisible force holds them in place before they can latch onto Caleb’s cheeks.
“Tsk. Tsk. Pips, are you really gonna assault me on my special day?” You twist your wrists against the pressure, to no avail. Damn him. “And here I thought you’d grown into a mature hunter, ready to fly in the skies alone?”
“Oh? I’ve matured just fine. Why don’t you…” You increase your strength, and your arm moves just an inch closer.
“Let…” another inch.
“Me…” closer.
“Show…” Your hand is so close you can almost feel the warmth radiating from his skin. Come on. Just a little more…
“You!” But, of course, before you can reach your target, your hands feel a million times heavier as they drop to your sides.
“Okay. I think that’s enough messing around,” he chides as he slightly lowers himself so the two of you are face to face. “I’m not doubting your strength. But, won’t you be good and behave yourself today? After all, this is the first time we’re celebrating with just the two of us.” He tilts his head slightly to the right, and you see him bring out his big, pleading puppy-dog eyes.
Shit, you think as you feel yourself start to relent. But he did have a point. Gran isn’t here to celebrate this year because…
Because?
Because she’s dealing with some stuff back at Linkon. Plus, there’s no way she could have gotten up this early for the train. Right. Either way, with both your jobs keeping you busy, today was the only day you could have him all to yourself. You should be enjoying this time together instead of wasting the day bickering.
You sigh, “...fiiineee.”
“That’s my pipsqueak,” he chuckles, and you feel the weight lift from your hands.
“But, really, how did you know I was coming this early?”
“Well…it’s my job as your Ge to know what schemes you have planned in that noggin of yours.” You frown. “Okay. Okay. It wasn’t hard to guess with ‘WAKE UP AT 3:00 IT’S SURPRISE O’CLOCK! HOPE YOUR ASS IS READY CALEB!!!’ saved for today on your calendar.” Oh. Yeah, you had shared that with him a while ago. Oopsie.
“Haha, anyways… I think it’s cake time! Wow! Look, a bakery!” Which was open since it was almost noon. Of course.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
Cake in front of Caleb, there was only one thing left to do.
“Make a wish!”
“Hmm.. I don’t know…” He lifted his hand to his chin in fake contemplation. “I think... I want to hear you sing for me just one more time.”
“Ughhh… Caleb.”
“Come on. I sang to you all those times when you were sick, and you can’t spare me just one more song?” But before you can protest again, you see a glint of mischief flash across his eyes. “Ohhhh. I see how it is.”
“Wha-”
He stands up from his seat and kneels down in front of you, clasping both his hands in front of him. “Please, won’t you bless this poor sinner with your gracious voice one more time?”
“He-hey!” You feel your cheeks warming up. “Ahem. Well, if the poor soul in front of them would stop messing around and just make a wish already, maybe this deity would consider granting their request.”
“You know why I can’t make a wish.”
Huh?
“Because I already have all I could ever want right here,” getting off his knees so that your faces are just a few inches apart. “So why don’t you make a wish for me? Nothing would make me happier than having my pip’s wishes come true.”
Under any other circumstances, you might have continued to deny him, but any thoughts of refusal right now were being blurred out by the loud thumping of your heart.
“O-okay.” And so you close your eyes and make a wish.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
All sorts of bright lights illuminated the bustling crowds that walked through the amusement park tonight: Street lamps, string lights, and even the stars and moon above. But, despite all that, you could barely see Caleb as you trail behind him. Not wanting to lose him, you grab his hand.
Or, at least, you try to.
“Why?”
“What is it, pipsqueak?”
“...Isn’t this place supposed to be our paradise?” You come to a stop. “A place where we have fun together , away from all the troubles in the world. So why…” Your nails dig into your palms, yet you feel nothing. “Why have you been avoiding me!?”
He told you he'd always be by your side. Always be there for you.
“Well, isn’t it because…” He turns around to face you. “You don’t need me anymore?”
You try to object but something interrupts you. It’s the fireworks. They shoot up into the air until BOOM! They explode into blinding flashes of light. BOOM! But they’re too loud. BOOM! Too bright. BOOM! You seek out Caleb again, but he’s already walking further away.
“Please! Don’t! I-”
BOOM!
You’re jolted awake by a loud crash of thunder. You look around for something. Anything. But there's nothing, only the cold hard metal of the necklace that lies around your neck.
Your tear-stained eyes finally focus on the only light source in your room. It's your digital calendar.
6/13. It’s Caleb’s birthday.