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For the first time since they moved in, the bedroom in Milo and Sweetheart’s house is not a flurry of activity. Milo has long since ushered Aggro out of the room for his breakfast, and begun the final preparations for the day. Sweetheart usually woke at the drop of a pin; but ever since they quit the department, a certain peace had filtered in and Milo couldn’t be happier to see it. The sun lazily rolls its way past the curtains outside while Sweetheart rests, cozy amongst the pillows and blankets.
Milo slowly makes his way back in, balancing the breakfast tray on the bedside table.
“Mornin’ Sweetheart.” He whispers, gently touching their shoulder. Their eyes groggily open, and Milo can’t stop his heart warming at their sleepy expression. “Time to get up sleepyhead.”
They groan softly. “What time is it?”
“Like,” he checks his watch, “10:30?”
Life shoots into Sweetheart as they sit up, alert. “I’m so late, shit-”
“Woah woah woah, slow your roll there baby.” Milo catches his mate before they can fall out of the bed. “You got nowhere to be, just relax.”
Their shoulders slump with relief at his words, and they let themselves fall into Milo’s side.
He lets out a soft chuckle and kisses the top of their head. “Happy birthday, you.”
They snort and cuddle closer to him. “Thank you Love.”
His grins grows wolfish as he looks down at them, “wanna open some presents?”
“Absolutely. My earnings for a tough year.” They tease, stretching the stiffness from their limbs.
Milo reaches over to the tray, pulling something off it he wouldn’t let them see.
“This ain’t the only thing I got you, so it’s okay if you don’t like it. I uh went out on a bit of a limb with this one.” He bashfully holds out a neatly wrapped box to them (he always had the best wrapping skills) watching from beside them as they efficiently slice through the flimsy paper.
“I wasn’t able to find this one. You’re getting better.” They side eye him with a smile.
He shrugs, a glint in his eye, “hey, gotta keep you on your toes Sweetheart.”
“Something about an old dog with new tricks?” They nudge him with their foot.
“Hey! I’m letting that slide now cause of your birthday - but don’t think there won’t be consequences.”
“Mrrp!” Aggro chimes in, paws pattering against the floor as he jumps up to join the two on the bed.
“See Aggro agrees with me. Don’t you mister?” The stealth says affectionately. Aggro happily raises his head to bump against the present in their hands, before curling up on their legs.
Milo gasps in faux horror. “The little traitor! I won’t forget this.” He says sternly to a smugly purring Aggro who just slowly blinks up at him. “Just open your damn present Sweetheart, your food’s getting cold.”
Sweetheart laughs, pecking his cheek. “Sure thing my grumpy wolf.”
Inside is a plain but elegant box, they open it and gasp. Sat on tissue paper (their favourite colour, of course, Milo is a man of detail) was a simple pendant. It sang of Milo’s core’s melody and was a slightly misshapen wolf; it was made of what looked like sea glass, until you tilted it at a certain angle in which it almost completely disappeared.
“Milo, I… Where did you get this?” They murmur, turning it over in their hands.
“It uh, I conjured it myself. I convinced Lasky to sign me up for some part time classes.” He rubs the back of his neck, focusing his gaze on Aggro. “I figured you could put it on whatever felt most comfortable so I got a variety of chains you can use to mix and match with outfits.”
They throw their arms around him - much to the very comfortable cat’s chagrin. “I love it, thank you Milo.”
“You like it?” He asks hopefully, cupping their face.
“I love it.” They say firmly, pressing their lips to his. “And I love you.”
“I love you too Sweetheart.” he nuzzles against the side of their face. “Happy birthday.”
There’s a beat as the pair enjoy the soft light of the morning, and the warmth of the other’s presence.
“Oh shit I almost forgot. Gimme one second.” He dashes out of the room and returns with a huge collection of bags, wrapped packages and cards, “when the pack heard you were leavin the Department they all insisted on getting you congratulations gifts on top of all the birthday presents.”
Sweetheart’s jaw drops at the sight of all the various gifts. “Are- They didn’t have to-”
“Well too bad, they already did.” He says beaming. “Happy birthday Sweetheart, you deserve the world. Let the world give you some thanks.”