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Wind Archer didn't particularly like sweets. He did not dislike sweets; if Fire Spirit baked, he would always try some. But he never really went out of his way to eat sweets. He also did not like receiving gifts, parties, or celebrating personal events. He did not dislike those things, but he certainly did not like them either. Something about "distractions", he had said many years ago.
Fire Spirit really didn't know what to do for him. Wind Archer had told him that he didn't need anything for his birthday, and Fire Spirit certainly wouldn't do much if he didn't want him to. But he also wanted to do something. He just didn't know what, exactly.
Fire Spirit decided, first, to buy some flowers. A pot of flowers, not cut. When Wind Archer noticed, he smiled. "These are very pretty... thank you, Fire Spirit," he said, "But... I've told you that I didn't need anything for my birthday. Really."
"Who said I got those for your birthday? Maybe I just wanted to buy you some flowers..." Fire Spirit said, rolling his eyes.
Wind Archer just snorted. As he went outside to plant the new flowers, he gently touched the petals of one. "Asters," he said, "Did you know that they supposedly symbolize love?"
"Really?" Fire Spirit asked. He then planted a kiss on top of Wind Archer's head. "Thats good, cause I love you."
Wind Archer smiled and rolled his eyes, tilting his head back to return the kiss before going back to gardening. "I love you too."
---
Fire Spirit insisted on paying for dinner that night, seemingly forgetting that it was his night to pay anyway. They swapped off on who paid every date, and Wind Archer had paid last time. He decided to not mention that and just let Fire Spirit feel like he was being a thoughtful boyfriend.
When they walked home, hand in hand, Wind Archer couldn't help but smile to himself. After a bit of silence, which was occasionally filled by Fire Spirit pointing something out, Wind Archer spoke. "I have never considered birthdays important. I've been around for many years... why celebrate another year when I'm immortal, and could instead spend that time fulfilling my mission? It felt... selfish."
Fire Spirit looked a bit sad. "Its not selfish to celebrate."
"I see that now. I've seen a lot of things since we started dating, actually," Wind Archer said, giving Fire Spirit's hand a little squeeze.
"Like what?"
"Like..." Wind Archer thought about it. There was far too much to list... he began to count on his hands. "Its okay to be selfish sometimes. Resting isn't weakness. Love... is more than a distraction." With that, he looked at Fire Spirit with care in his eyes. So much love... "Love is... beautiful."
Fire Spirit's eyes shone with the same emotion. He turned to face Wind Archer fully, pulling him close. Vulnerability was not his strong suit. But for Wind Archer... "Love really is beautiful. Never thought I would find it."
"Neither did I," Wind Archer said. The flame looked so beautiful under the moonlight. For a moment, Wind Archer wondered how many times they had walked down this path with their hands intertwined. How many times they had emotional conversations under these stars. How many times the walls each man spent ages building up crumbled down in seconds holding each other like this.
Fire Spirit noticed the contemplative gaze of Wind Archer and leaned in close. "Happy birthday. I love you."
"I love you too..." Wind Archer said back before their lips met.
---
Fire Spirit surprised Wind Archer with a fruit tray when they returned home. The fruit had been organized to resemble a cake. "I know you don't really like sweets, so..." Fire Spirit shrugged as if it was nothing and not something he had planned for months, "And, uh, I kind of forgot candles."
"Its fine. You're basically a walking candle anyway..." Wind Archer said. After very awkwardly being sung happy birthday by Fire Spirit, he took a slice of fruit instead of blowing out a candle.
Fire Spirit only ate a few fruits, very quickly stopping after he got a bad grape, but he did still watch Wind Archer enjoy the platter. "So? What did you wish for?"
Wind Archer gave a sly smile. "If i tell you, it won't come true."
"Since when are you superstitious like that?"
Wind Archer flicked a blueberry at his head. "Just now," he said. While Fire Spirit gasped in mock outrage and flicked the blueberry back, Wind Archer smiled to himself.
He didn't make a wish in reality. Not because he didn't believe in wishes, no, but because he already had everything he could wish for. What more could he need, when he already had his boyfriend lovingly throwing fruit at his gem?
All Wind Archer wanted was for Fire Spirit to be happy. And that wish had already came true.