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The 26th of March. The most sacred day for Ruskin. It was the birthday of his beloved Charles, the one he was captivated by ever since he studied in the college. He used to stalk Charles, but not to hurt him, rather to get to know him more and shower him with gifts. But he never expected that his secret wish would come true. That after Charles found out that he was after him, he let him stay on his side and even gave Ruskin the chance to serve him.
Since that day, Ruskin was content. He was able to assist Charles in managing the college's newspaper and the other man also let him take part in his hobbies. Charles liked collecting dirty secrets of the college students and he used them for blackmail, to get something in return - but Ruskin knew that aside from that, Charles specifically enjoyed his blackmails as well. This didn't disturb him nor scared him away from him. He accepted Charles as he was - evil and with a rotten soul. And because of him, everything, every evil he did became beautiful in Ruskin's eyes.
He obsessively loved Charles and he wanted to stay with him even after they finished their studies - and when Charles will probably manage an even more important newspaper. As his secretary... and his lover.
He was taking Secretarial Studies, so he got really good chances for this.
Charles' birthday was coming up and Ruskin definitely wanted to make the day memorable for his beloved. He already bought the presents he wished to give him - tons of it - and ordered a huge strawberry cake to be made. But he wanted to celebrate Charles even more - by throwing him a party, a surprise one that Charles would never expect.
The question was, how to pull that off?
Ruskin was well-aware that Charles was hated by the entire college which left him no one who would come to the surprise party by their free will. He had no choice but to force people to come - probably through blackmail - but Ruskin was not so keen to do that. First, blackmail was Charles' sacred method and he didn't yet give him the permission to use it. Ruskin felt unworthy of committing the same ritual as his beloved. The second reason was the fear that he would somehow cross Charles' future plans. He can't know in which context Charles wanted to pull his dirty cards and he most likely was aware of all the information Ruskin was able to gather on his own. This put a heavy weight onto Ruskin's soul. He really, really wanted to throw a birthday party for his beloved Charles - but he had no idea how he could do that.
He also had no time to vacillate more; while he was thinking on different methods, he ran out of it. On the sacred day, he needed to wake up with the thought that he was unable to prepare anything for Charles.
Ruskin was really angry at himself for it and he was sure that he would also disappoint Charles. But he didn't show any of this when the other man woke up next to him - if only that, but he wanted that at least, the celebration by the two of them should be some kind of surprise. He missed out his classes that day and spent the time while Charles was away with decorating the room. Then, as the clock's hand came closer and closer to four when Charles was supposed to come back, Ruskin's excitement won over the guilt. When he heard that the door opened and Charles stepped into the room, he was able to flash his most heartfelt smile at him and say.
"Welcome back, Charles. And happy birthday!"
Charles stared at him with genuine surprise in his eyes and Ruskin could be sure that he indeed didn't expect anything. He waited to see the other man's reaction impatiently. After he got over the shock, a wide smile appeared on Charles' face.
"Thank you, Ruskin. I admit that I never expected that you would remember my birthday - and especially not that you would throw some celebration for it." He noted and his expression became even brighter when he noticed what was on the table. "Is that strawberry cake?" He asked enthusiastically.
Ruskin nodded and his heart was beating fast from the joy that he could see Charles happy.
"Yes." He answered and since he hated keeping secrets from the beloved man, he added with some shame. "I wanted to invite more people for your birthday party... but I had no idea how to do it."
Charles shook his head and gently patted Ruskin's blushing cheek.
"There was no need for that. Everyone I want to celebrate my birthday with is here." He stated and he stepped to the cake.
To that, Ruskin's smile widened and his heartbeat became even more rapid. He knew well who Charles referred to.
Him.
"Then I am very happy to celebrate your birthday with you." He said joyfully. And he was ready to slice up the cake.