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Tick, tick, tick.
The clock hanging in your room quietly ticks away the seconds. It’s fifteen minutes before the clock strikes twelve—before your birthday, to be more specific.
You didn't care about your birthday anymore. After all, what was the point of celebrating it when you're trapped in this library for God knows how long? Sure, you have co-workers from the other floors and you have your friends, but celebrating your birthday with them would feel like a boring corporate event rather than something special and memorable.
You couldn't even go out to your favorite restaurant in the District you lived in—and even if you had the ability to summon things using the light, it didn't hit the same unless you went there yourself. Plus, you had no contact with your other friends outside the Library. How could you even call that special and memorable?
So to avoid that from happening, you avoided mentioning anything about your birthday unless a friend asked. It stung a little, but it was necessary to stop the oncoming awkward social atmosphere it'll come with.
…Although, you wouldn't mind spending your day with Chesed.
Infact—you’d be more than happy to let him spoil you with his affection for the entire day. You always loved it when he showered you with his love; his kisses felt warm and soft, even if they were tinged with the hint of bitter, earthy flavor of black coffee in his tongue. You loved being in his arms—his hugs always felt so welcoming and shielded you from the harsh and unforgiving City. And even if it tucked your nerves; you loved that devastatingly handsome, teasing and warm smile that showed up when he pulled away from kisses too early.
Oh, how you love this man so much.
Speaking of Chesed—he told you to come to his floor five minutes before the clock strikes twelve. Obviously, you both knew it was about your birthday. Though, you don't know what he’ll prepare for you.
Laying down on your bedsheets, a small groan leaves your lips as your eyes travel to the clock on the wall. Ten minutes before midnight. You had to leave as early as possible since it wasn't easy going up to the eighth floor of The Library.
But how would he even celebrate your birthday, though? Maybe he'd prepare a birthday cake with your favorite type of coffee? Maybe you would have a mini-date where he'd teach you how to blend coffee? Maybe even let him bend you over and take you for the night after a celebration? Or maybe the other way around?
Ah, what were you thinking? This is Chesed you're talking about—he always has something up his sleeve.
The next thing you know, you're now on his floor. Your eyes were greeted with the sight of the large, open window with the submerged ship outside, and the smell of coffee wafts through your nostrils. It’s faint—faint enough to pick up on when you're on the other side of the door. Its signature blue light seeped through the windows, painting the entire floor in cerulean.
Then, there was the man whom you loved to death. Chesed stood beneath the island bar, a candle on his hand. You noticed that he didn't don his coat, and his sleeves were rolled up—knowing him, he probably didn't have time to take care of himself. On top of the counter stood a chocolate cake, and two cups of coffee. They're probably both decaf, you assume. It is late in the night.
“Ah, so you did come,” he spoke, eyes travelling up to meet yours. There's warmth in them, aside from the signature weariness they held. “You’re right on time, dear.”
The floorboards quietly creaked under your steps as you padded over to the island bar. “Yeah.. I did. I didn't wanna be late.” you replied. As you look at the cake, your eyes trail to Chesed's hands—his fingers had the faintest hint of smudged chocolate and flour sat on his fingertips. With little to no brain-to-mouth filter, you uttered. “Did you.. bake this cake yourself?”
A chuckle breathed out of his lips. "Even this late at night, you’re still pretty perceptive, hm?" he said, sticking a candle at the center of the chocolate cake and wiped his hands with a box of wipes nearby. “That’s one of the things I love about you.” he muttered under his breath.
"I could’ve just made one using the Light, sure… but that wouldn’t feel very sincere. So I went ahead and baked it myself." A faint, knowing smile tugged at his lips. “Plus, it's for a very special someone. Isn't that right?”
"I know celebrating your birthday isn’t really your thing anymore, but I still wanted to make today a little special for you," Chesed said, turning to the drawer and idly rummaging through it before pausing. "There it is."
When he faced you again, a lighter rested in his hand. With a quiet flick, he lit the candle, the small flame steadying in the dim light. "Happy birthday, my love.”
He slid his hands to either side of the plate and lifted it carefully, a soft smile settling on his face. The candlelight flickered gently as he began to hum, then sing, the familiar tune, his voice low and unhurried.
“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you,”
His smile looked so perfect, even if he carried weariness in it. His hair that was tied into his usual, low ponytail was loose, all tussled and ruffled—and that made it feel more special to you even more, as if he reserved it for you. His eyes crinkled at the corners, sparkled with so much reverence like you carved out the universe and gave it to his hands. You didn't know it was possible to love someone so much you wanted to kiss the living daylights out of them.
“Happy birthday my dearest, happy birthday to you.”
Chesed was sure he didn't look presentable and like his usual self at the moment—but he didn't know that you loved him like this. To him, he thought he looked bad. But to you, the ‘flaws’ you saw in him today looked perfect.
By the time he finished, he tilted the plate slightly toward you, the glow of the candles dancing in his eyes. “Go on,” he murmured. “Make a wish and blow them out~”
A smile spread across your face and leaned in, opening your lips to blow out the candles. Chesed let out a small note of approval as the smoke curled upward, dissolving into the air.
“There we go~” he hummed, setting the cake down on the island bar carefully. “Now, I'll get the plates ready."
As he turns around to fetch a knife and slice the cake, he says something that catches your attention. "By the way, there's still more that I... want to do later. Take it as an admission of my love, if you will~"
His head turns to you, a knowing smile on his lips with eyes that spoke volumes. "So, let's head over to my bedroom after, okay?"
You liked the sound of that. After all, you were his, and he was yours truly.