#trinkets like bombs with confetti in them or something

[druidonity2]

2022 Drawing - MLP main cast but as WoW races.

[ignisnocturnalia]

hi I liked the HCs that you wrote and was wondering if you could do Drifter X Reader relationship HCs?

No exposition for this one because I was lowkey LOST on where to start with this lmao. I also disappeared because the 7th was my birthday and I'm not doing anything but being a dumbass with my friends on my birthday. Lastly, I usually only write in my classes since I do my work at home but I've been buckling down on this one since I promised them a while back

Drifter x Reader HCs

Relationship

Obviously, you meet through Gambit

Sometimes you’ll be an announcer during his games by stealing his comm line and the Guardians in the arena will hear the immense struggle over who gets to be the commentator for the match

On the down time, he’ll teach you how to play card games other than the ones you already know; he refuses to play poker against you if you’re the house. He’s seen enough games to know you count cards

PDA is absolutely off the table because he has a persona to upkeep, but in reality he’s afraid some “old friends” are going to try and pay you a visit if they realize you mean something to him

If you’re a Stasis user, he’ll ask you to run all kinds of experiments for him and there are a few moments when he gets caught up in the ice and you tease him for getting too close

Since he isn’t too welcome in the City, both of you spend your alone time in the Derelict. He wants to expand the space to make room for you, but that’s a bit difficult considering the state of the ship

Both of you talk about messages you get from the Emissary, and even though both of you pour your heart and soul into deciphering it, you always fall short and unwind with a drink afterward

By sheer coincidence, you confirmed that he was actually an excellent cook. You offhandedly asked him about his Hive guts to burn a fire comment from an earlier Gambit game and you’d be damned to admit that the meal he made for both of you that night could make all the disasters outside disappear

Calls you sweetheart instead of sister/brother, and you get some VERY concerned and/or questioning looks from other Guardians

You guys can laugh about anything, LITERALLY anything, but if you have any concerns you share them with each other; if he’s letting you be in a relationship with him, trust is plentiful although he still obscures his end goal because he doesn’t want to scare you off

If you don’t already have a knack for it, Drifter and you like to build trinkets. Deadly ones, of course! Helping him update his mote bank (lots of Taken floods smh) and add new Gambit weapons to his repertoire all make for interesting and productive dates as well as stories to poke fun at each other later 

NSFW 👁👄👁

Faithful switch leaning towards dom; he likes to pleasure you before himself but isn’t afraid of switching up the roles, he even encourages it sometimes to “spice up” the bedroom

He controls himself very well and his recurring bouts of stress blot out his sexual urges, so 9 times out of 10 you’ll be the one initiating the activity and he’s more than happy to provide

When you do get into it, he makes good use of limited space; it’s common to find yourself bent over a rail guard somewhere in the Derelict during the act and even more common to have your body pressed into his work desk if you make a move while he’s doing something

He KNOWS how to use his hands, the dexterity is real when he’s petting and pinching your sensitive spots

When you do switch positions, he likes it a lot when you scratch or bite him and just grabbing in general

Edging, both ways, to you when he wants to watch you squirm and/or beg, and to him when you haven’t reached your climax

Unsurprisingly godly amount of stamina for a human, he’ll only ever go to extra rounds if you feel up for it; 2 is the minimum if you’re just a horndog, 3 if he’s feeling generous, and 4 if you’ve been down real bad lately

He’s into dirty talk and praise, and he’s definitely better at delivering it than receiving it

Kisses everywhere, and especially around your neck and shoulders; he might get carried away and leave a hickey but he thinks it’s much cuter if you get flustered by it the following day

If he legitimately has something to do that can’t wait but you also need him, he’ll do one of two things: pull off a quickie, or if he’s confident enough in his abilities, have you ride him while he works

Fluff

Since his bed is so dang small, you always spoon or hug each other like koalas when you sleep

Want him to sleep faster? EASY. Just pet his head and run your fingers over his scalp and boom, you got a sleeping Drifter 

You don’t know where he gets them from, and you don’t want to ruin it by asking, but he brings you assorted chocolates after coming back from “business” (probably Spider, but you won’t hold him to it)

Hugs when you two are alone are pretty frequent and most times you just hold each other for a long time

He usually avoids unnecessary new activities unless you really want him to try it; this includes foods, places, and the like, but he’s willing to do a lot to see you happy

You both like to poke fun at the Vanguard and leave “presents” (confetti bombs and other benign pranks) and when Zavala questions you about it you shrug it off. Your Ghost records it and you laugh at the Titan’s face with Drifter later on

If you like music and sing or hum, he will appear out of nowhere and start singing (poorly) with you if he knows what the song is

You guys hold mock therapy sessions for each other by laying your head in the others lap and belting out what's bothering you; sometimes it leads to a solid resolution, but most of the time you both figure out what you need to do because your partner is spouting nonsense

Per your request, there is a day reserved for movie nights with each other. You have an excuse to try making new food and learning his secrets while enjoying Golden Age movies with him under a massive fleece blanket Eva gave you many Dawnings back

When you get a cool new shader you like to have fake fashion shows and strut around like a peacock; he thinks you look ridiculous doing it but it always gets a laugh out of him and when you ask him what he thinks he will always say he loves it (not helpful if you’re looking for an unbiased opinion)

[drarry-we-meet]

Valentine’s Day Sucks

Part 1

Draco grit his teeth as another wave of ooohs and ahhhs sounded across the small collection of cubicles. He tried to ignore the outbreak of distinctly feminine chatter and focus on the report he was currently writing. After reading the same paragraph three times, he was finally able to get back into the flow of things. He was halfway through drafting his next sentence when a loud bang followed by assorted squeals and giggles broke out, and he couldn’t help but sneak a peek.

Longbottom was currently surrounded by a cloud of glittering pink smoke that smelled strongly of roses, and there on his desk was a humongous box of chocolates. Draco sighed, he was more than ready for this Valentine’s Day nonsense to be over with. It was bad enough hearing all the witches in his department cooing like a pack of wild doves each time one of them received a flower delivery, which of course was every few minutes. But to make matters worse, this year the wizards seemed to be getting just as many gifts thanks the Wheezes new ad campaign which insisted that witches must also get soppy romantic trinkets for their gents.

Draco would have admired such a brilliant marketing strategy, that had surely doubled their profits this year, if it didn’t cause him to have double the annoyance at the same time. While the witches gifts were more traditional and quiet; flowers, chocolate, jewelry. The men’s gifts were far sillier; singing heat shaped telegrams that burst into miniature fireworks at the end of their song, stuffed bears that did cartwheels across desks before exploding into a shower of confetti, and large boxes like Longbottom’s that went off like a bomb, leaving behind chocolates once the smoke had cleared.

Of course it didn’t help matters that Draco knew he wouldn’t be receiving anything this year. It wasn’t that he was alone, at least not technically. He had been seeing, or at least sleeping with, Harry-savior-of-the-whole-fucking-wizarding-world Potter, for just over 4 months. Not that it counted though, probably. They had never discussed whether or not what they were doing was exclusive. For Draco it was, and he was fairly certain it was for Harry as well, seeing how he barely had any free-time as Deputy Head Auror and all. But a lack of time to see other people, and actually wanting to date someone were two very different things.

Case in point was the Mountain of gifts that Draco could see steadily growing in the office across the room filled with their cubicles. Witches and wizards from all over the world sent Harry gifts each holiday, but this one always seemed to be the worst. Two curse breakers were currently stationed in the room sorting, screening, and vanishing questionable gifts, while Harry himself was still out meeting with the muggle liaison of Interpol for some reason or another. He wasn’t due to return until Monday, and by then his office would be clear once again.

The safe candy was set aside to be distributed to various departments in the ministry, particularly those inconvenienced the most by this whole fiasco; the mailroom, the janitors union, the curse breakers, and of course the aurors. All of the mail was piled neatly for his secretary to review. The majority of it would be vanished of course, but a few of the most polite ones would be answered eventually.

In fact, now that Draco thought about it, his willingness to always be available to Harry no matter how last minute or weird the hour was, in order to be able to see Harry in between his many meetings and trips abroad might be the only reason Harry even bothered with him at all. It was that thought, paired with the reminder that so far whatever ‘this’ was between them had remained a carefully guarded secret from even their closest friends, that caused a sharp clenching pain inside his gut. Draco determinedly pushed all thoughts of the idiot-who-lived far from his mind and tried once again to focus on work.

By lunchtime, the continuous loud bangs and rose scented smoke that accompanied them, had the beginnings of a migraine forming behind Draco’s eyes. He decided to escape the ministry for a bit and get some fresh air at the cafe across the street. He had just finished, and stood up to don his coat when a shadow appeared across his desk. He looked up into the sneering faces of Zacharias Smith, his well-endowed girlfriend, and a couple of brand new trainees whose names he didn’t care to remember.

"I was just about to head to lunch Smith so whatever it is you need will have to wait till after I return,” Draco kept his most impassive face in place, but his voice was firm. He knew the only thing Smith wanted was to start trouble and he wasn’t in the mood for any of it.

Smith smirked, “I just wanted to ask you where your Valentine’s Day gift was," he asked with a faux sweet voice.

That threw Draco for a loop for a minute, “What are you talking about?"

Smith and his group immediately started laughing, Draco wasn’t sure what the hell they found so funny or why on earth they were asking him about Valentine’s gifts of all things.

Smith’s smile had only gotten wider, “Well Malfoy, he emphasized, maybe it has escaped your notice, but you’re the only person in the entire department, possibly even the entire ministry who hasn’t received even one measly card.”

Draco could feel his heart rate picking up, but he hadn’t lived with old-moldyfarts for nothing, and was able to keep his face blank and posture relaxed. Smith was just getting warmed up though, pointing out how ‘of course’ they shouldn’t be so surprised that he hadn’t received anything, since he was death eater scum and all. By this point they were attracting the attention of the rest of the office.

Draco could see out of the corner of his eye that Granger was heading their direction, but Draco would rather die than have someone he once allowed to be tortured in his house defend him from a spineless git like Smith.

Draco carefully rolled his eyes and shook his head at Smith, “is that really the best you could come up with today Zachary?” Because he knew how much Smith hated people using the shorter form of his name, "you must be having just such a fulfilling Valentine’s Day yourself if you would rather spend all your time talking to me than your girlfriend, what are you 12?” He then swept out of the office before Smith could reply or Granger could reach them.

He was waiting down the hall for the lift when a fierce grip grabbed his arm and spun him around. It was Smith’s girlfriend, and Draco was fairly shocked to be manhandled by her. She, unlike her slimy boyfriend, had always seemed like a genuinely nice person. However her face right now was twisted in fury.

"No one will ever love you," she spat. "You can look down on us all you want, but in the end you will be a bitter old man and die alone. You don’t even have any friends!” She spun on her heel and left then.

Draco was left reeling in the hallway, his vision swimming a bit and his breathing a bit too fast and shallow. As the room came back into focus he locked eyes with Granger. Of course she had followed him out into the hall, of course she’d probably seen the whole thing. Fuck. The lift chimed and Draco stumbled back into in, jamming the door close button to stop her from pursuing him any further. He knew that look, that look of pity, and it made him sick to his stomach.

Draco ended up skipping lunch, he walked aimlessly around the nearest park until his face and fingers were numb with cold despite his gloves and warming charms. The words, “no one will ever love you,” played on endless repeat in his head as he fought to direct his thoughts toward anything else. He didn’t know why he let their words get to him like that, he didn’t give a shit what Smith or his girlfriend thought.

But the words had cut him to the bone, mainly because it was a very real fear he had held onto since the end of the war. His friends had all fled the country after the trials, some even before, and his dating life had been pretty nonexistent for the last 6 years. Nothing they had said was technically wrong. The men Draco had been with were ok with fucking him as long as no one ever found out. He just wasn’t the type of person anyone could ever take home to meet their parents.

And Draco had been ok with that, or so he thought. Relationships were just messy, unnecessary. Until Harry. Harry was the first man Draco had ever been with who took him to dinner, (at muggle restaurants), who always spent the night, who held him after sex, who made breakfast for him the morning after. Harry made him watch muggle films on his couch while giving him neck rubs or foot rubs and always made sure he had Draco’s favorite tea on hand. By the second month Draco had begun to think that maybe, just maybe they were something more than just sex.

But then one day they had been interrupted mid-foreplay by one of Harry’s friends visiting unannounced, and Harry had quickly shoved Draco into the closet and told him to be quiet. Draco had died a little inside that day. It was an unspoken agreement after that. Draco was a secret, a dirty little secret, just like always.

Draco returned to the office a few minutes late, half frozen and despondent, but as always he didn’t let any of it show on his face. He had considered skiving off the rest of the day, but wouldn’t give Smith the satisfaction of knowing he’d gotten under his skin.

He buried himself in his work and carefully ignored any whispers or glances he felt come his way, but he was still attuned enough to the atmosphere of the room to notice as everyone was wrapping up their tasks at the end of the day and loudly discussing their romantic plans for the evening, when a ripple of silence suddenly overtook the room. It was so quiet and still that Draco looked up, wondering if everyone had somehow been stupefied simultaneously.

His jaw dropped as his eyes met green. Harry was standing just in front of his desk looking so very fit in his deputy head uniform. His brass buttons shining, his hair tousled just right, his brilliant eyes unobstructed since he’d finally ditched his horrid specs long ago. He was holding a garment bag in one hand and the biggest bouquet of long stemmed roses in the other. They were wrapped in white silk with a dark red bow, each petal had gold filigree on the edges.

"Are you ready to go darling?” He asked with a warm and inviting face, a fair bit of mischief in his eyes.

Draco, who had no idea what was going on, but was pretty sure he must have passed out from all the fumes and was dreaming just nodded.

Harry smiled brightly and laid the garment bag over Draco’s desk. "Well that’s good," Harry said, handing the roses to Draco, who took them dazedly, "Hermione told me you were too busy to pick up your suit today, so I went ahead and got it for you. We don’t have much time until the Portkey to Paris leaves so we’ll need to hurry home and change. I don’t think Le Cinq will let us in without the formal wear.

Draco who had decided he was definitely dreaming, simply nodded again and stood. Harry wasted no time walking around the desk to meet him. He placed a chaste, but lingering kiss on his lips, grabbed the bag and steered Draco toward the door with a warm hand on the small of his back.

The entire trek to the doors no one moved, Draco wasn’t sure any of them were even breathing. He wasn’t sure he was even breathing. Harry had just publicly outed them. Every face in the room was stricken with shock, except for Hermione who smiled at them both and Ron who gave him a curt nod. Draco realized neither of them were surprised. They know, he thought, oh gods they already know. He looked at Harry again and Harry gave him another dazzling smile and kiss on the cheek.

As soon as they were outside the doors a cacophony of noise sounded behind them and Harry turned to wink at Draco, but instead of heading toward the lifts, he simply wrapped his arm more firmly around Draco’s waist and apparated them on the spot.

-gift for @mothermalfoy

Link to Part 2:  https://drarry-we-meet.tumblr.com/post/190868463275/valentines-day-sucks-warning-this-2nd-half

[i-fucking-hate-ppl]

Hi my birthday is coming up soon and I was wondering if and how the misfits would celebrate. 🥳🎁🎊

Ik I missed it! I'm so sorry but my aunt came to visit me and I've just been distracted with her! I'm sorry! Anyway happy belated birthday!

Charlie:

• It's your birthday?! Why didn't you tell her sooner?!?!

• Will absolutely celebrate your birthday!

• Will get you everything and more.

• Streamers are a necessity. Along with balloons, a variety of drinks and snacks, and confetti. If there is no confetti there is no point.

• Your favorite food only! Even if its expensive or hard to do, it doesnt matter she's doing it and there is nothing you, or any one else, can do to stop her.

• Will get you a present or two as well. Whatever you had been talking about wanting recently.

• She'll make sure everything is perfect.

Vaggie:

• Eh

• If someone throws you a party (*cough* Charlie *cough, cough*) she'll celebrate it. She'll bring you a card with twenty bucks in it and call it good.

• She'll also participate in anything you're doing that night, mostly to be polite, partly because it may actually be fun for her.

• I mean, I dont really have anything else to say, it all explains itself

Alastor:

• Doesnt really care for your birthday.

• It has nothing to do with not liking you or anything, its just... pointless to him??

• He sees no point since he family probably didn't celebrate anyone's birthday.

• Also because "If someone really appreciates you and was glad you existed, they'll show it all year round and not only on one day Darling."

• Although he'll come if it's a big deal to you; if it's not Charlie forces him.

• He'll probably wont know what to get you, so he'll go to Angel Dust for advice, hoping he had some kind of experience.

• Bad idea since Angel Dust suggested a dildo/vibrator.

• #NevergoingtoADforadviceeveragain

• Will probably just end up getting you a really nice piece of jewelry, even if you're a guy. Or perhaps some lovely scented perfume/cologne.

Angel Dust:

• Will show up to the party with a "What the fuck is this vanilla shit? I thought this was going to be a rave? Wheres the drugs and people having sex in the corner??"

• "THiS Is SUPpOseD tO BE a PLaCe tHaT DiSCoURaGes sIN!!"

• For real though, his birthday present is a blowjob/eating you out.

• Which gets him a punch to the face, whether from you or Vaggie.

• Through his pain, he says he was kidding a hands you a card.

• Will most likely have a shit ton of money in it, and he'll wink at you.

• Dont ask how he got ahold of so much money, you probably dont want to know the answer to that.

Niffty:

• Comes if Alastor is going.

• Since he does, she'll probably come in all happy though.

• I think she's never really had friends in her previous life, so shes never been to a birthday party. So shes pretty excited.

• Ask her to have a sleepover in you're room, she'll kill for that. Since, y'know, shes probably never had a sleepover either.

• She'll probably get you a scarf in your favorite color.

Husk:

• "Fuck off, I'm not going to your shitty party."

• And he doesnt.

• Definitely gets an earful from Charlie, but doesnt give to shits.

• Although, if you find yourself in his company at the end of the night, he'll give you a few drinks for free.

• Will also gamble with you, and let you win.

• Those are basically he presents to you, and it's the most you'll get out of him.

• Perhaps a happy birthday, if he's in a good mood!

BONUS:

Sir Pentious:

• He'll celebrate you're birthday with the egg bois!

• You'll have soooooo many presents!

• The egg bois really love you, so each of them got you a little something! Whether its money, charms, or little trinkets!

• Not to forget Sir Pentious got you something too!

• It'd probably be a home made machine of some sorts. Would also say cute things to you in his voice when you press a button, because he's cheesy like that.

• Although no one else would really be there except for people you specific want to come.

Cherri Bomb:

• It's your birthday?

• Well fuck. Time to crash a party.

• Had no idea when your birthday was, so she bought a present waaaaay to soon and gave it to when you mentioned it was you're birthday.

• That party you crashed? Yeah, it was one of her friends so she pretended she had it planned and everyone went with it so you never knew.

• You had a good time, so that's all that mattered to her in the end.

[unfoldingbliss]

Happy Birthday! [Ojiro Week 2/8]

I don't care how long ago @ojiroweek was. I'm doing all the prompts and you can't stop me (and yeah, I missed his birthday by almost a week. I still feel terrible about it orz).

Pairing: Ojiro/Shinsou

Summary:  There's not much need or desire for an elaborate birthday ruse orchestrated by his friend, but Ojiro can roll with it. If it makes Hagakure happy, then it makes Ojiro happy, too.

AO3 Link: HERE

"Okay, okay! Just take my hand and follow my lead. And don't you dare peek!"

Ojiro chuckles as soft fingers interlace with his, "Hagakure, you put two blindfolds on me. There's no way I can see out of these."

"Yeah, that's a precaution," Hagakure replies and tugs at Ojiro's arm, her steps impatient. "This is supposed to be a surprise. I don't want it spoiled!"

Ojiro laughs again but complies with Hagakure's demands, "You got it, ma'am. I'll even keep my eyes closed."

"Good!" Hagakure exclaims and continues to lead him down the hall. She stops when they presumably reach the elevator, and Ojiro can hear her bouncing up and down against the carpeted floor, her clothes shuffling. A soft, excited hum soon escapes her as the elevator climbs up the dorm complex, and Ojiro smiles at her unbounded enthusiasm. He suspects she might even trump his joy with this whole surprise birthday party. And he's the actual birthday boy.

His birthday landed on a Monday this year, so he spent most of the day in class and training. Not like it was a bad thing: Kaminari offered to buy him lunch and Hagakure made cookies for their whole table to share. They were his favorite, too: cinnamon chip snickerdoodles. And he'd spent the weekend with his parents back home. They had gifted him with a few new outfits and a bright red running watch that could monitor his heart rate and the intensity of his workout regimes. For Ojiro, his birthday was already great. There's not much need or desire for an elaborate birthday ruse orchestrated by his friend, but Ojiro can roll with it. If it makes Hagakure happy, then it makes Ojiro happy, too.

Besides, there's something about this whole escapade - walking into the elevator blindfolded, Hagakure's hand wound tight around his - that warms his shoulders and elicits a soft flurry of butterflies to swish through his stomach. He's reminded of a similar scenario last year with Iida. Their whole class had prepared a birthday celebration in honor of their class president. It had been at Uraraka's request, but almost everyone was on board, given how much work Iida put in as their dutiful representative. That had been special because Iida's special. It had brought their whole class together. Even Bakugou, with all his foul-mouthed charm, took part in the festivity.

Ojiro knows his class cares about him. They're his friends, his partners.

But this is beyond morning greetings and cordial conversation. This is special.

Ojiro feels special.

When the elevator opens, Ojiro can hear hushed whispers to his left and several pairs of feet move closer together. Hagakure pulls away from Ojiro and settles behind him, her fingers fiddling with the double knot on the back of his head. She giggles, her breath tickling the base of his neck, "Okay... you ready, Ojiro?"

He smiles and curls his fingers into eager fists, relishing the anticipation. This is special, this is exciting. This is something Ojiro thought unlikely for a boy like himself. He really must thank Hagakure the next time they're out shopping. Maybe buy her a gourmet lunch at one of those bunny cafes she adores.

"Definitely," Ojiro nods, waiting for Hagakure to untie the blindfolds. He keeps his eyes closed, keeping a hold of the jittery expectation floating across his skin. This kind of unified joy, focused solely on him - he has to savor it, bottle it up for future bouts of doubt or insecurity.

"All right..." Hagakure trails as she finishes unfastening the knot, her hands on either side of Ojiro's head. "Blindfold comes off in three... two... one!"

The blindfold's soft fabric lazily hits his shoulder, and Ojiro opens his eyes to the sight of his classmates popping confetti bombs beneath an assortment of white and yellow streamers. Their faces are bright, smiles wide and laughter hearty.

"Happy birthday!" they (mostly) shout in unison, crowding around the birthday boy as he approaches. It's a little warm and Ojiro's cheeks flush, but he doesn't mind. Midoriya and Iida pat him on the back and offer their congratulations while Kaminari and Ashido present him with trinkets to decorate his "absurdly plain" dorm room. Ojiro begrudgingly returns their well-meaning grins and thanks them for their gifts. Admittedly, the Hawks' figurine will be a nice addition to his tidy desk, and the squirrel plush can sit atop his bed near his pillows.

"We got you something, too," Jirou says to his right, gesturing towards Yaoyorozu. Their fellow classmate holds out a hardcover book, titled: The Indomitable Spirit of the Martial Arts Hero. "We thought you could read it for inspiration."

Yaoyorozu bows her head. "You're a wonderful classmate and friend, Ojiro. Please accept this gift as a token of our appreciation."

"No need to be so formal, Yaoyorozu," Ojiro chuckles and takes the gift from her hands, his fingers skimming over the glossy silver letters. "This is a really nice birthday gift and I'll be sure to read it. Thank you!"

"It was our pleasure," Yaoyorozu attempts to bow again, but Jirou swipes at her shoulder and frowns.

"He just told you not to be so formal!" Jirou chides, though her words lack any real bite. Must be a girlfriend thing.

"Oh, I apologi-"

"Momo!"

Ojiro laughs at the pair's antics, reminding him of the harmless scuffles in his own relationship. Though, that thought stirs another: did Shinsou help plan this party? He hasn't heard from him since last night, after Ojiro made it back to the dorms.

"Yo, birthday boy! Turn around and take a look at this cake," Kaminari's voice rings from across the kitchen. Ojiro tries to turn around, but two pink hands clasp onto his shoulders and prevent him from doing so.

"Wait, Ojiro! Close your eyes. It'll be better that way," Ashido chirps at his back, her fingernails strumming against his collarbone.

Her grip doesn't loosen until Ojiro complies and scratches at his temples, a little embarrassed. All this attention - it's overwhelming. He's not used to his classmates doting on him, catering to his happiness alone.

However, despite his abashment, his heart sings and laughter seems to spill endlessly passed his throat. He closes his eyes and hopes the cake was prepared by Satou, like Iida's. Then he'll feel on par with the rest of his classmates, like he's worth all this celebration. "All right, they're closed, Ashido. You can turn me around now."

Ashido wastes no time and twirls Ojiro around, unable to contain her frivolity, "Great! Now I'll count down like Hagakure. Get ready to open those big ol' eyes of yours in three... two... one... go!"

And when Ojiro snaps his eyes open, his mouth drops and his breath hitches, the image before him both unexpected and captivating.

Shinsou stands four feet in front of him, a large three-tier cake iced with a thick layer of maple frosting sitting above his hands. His smile is small and lopsided, and his eyes shimmer, the seventeen candles lit beneath him highlighting their soft violet hues. He's even dressed well - a pair of black slacks, accompanied by a navy blue button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled to his elbows.

Ojiro decides then: this evening has surpassed special. It's one of those nights your mind carves into your subconscious, to push you through when tears sting your eyes and your body aches with grief.  

Before Ojiro can voice his delight, Shinsou cocks his head and his smile widens, devolving into an impish simper, "I know I look good, but please try to concentrate on the burning cake in my hands. Or else I might have to steal your little birthday wish."

"Ack, Shinsou, play nice!" Hagakure jumps to Ojiro's side, an invisible hand clutching his bicep. "Let Ojiro make a wish when he's ready."

"Yes, Ojiro should be provided ample time to come up with a wish worthy of his character and ambition," Iida says to his left, hovering close to Shinsou and pointing a finger to the ceiling. "Stealing a birthday wish from not only a friend but a romantic partner seems both thoughtless and obviously rude."

"Iida, I think it was just a joke," Uraraka tugs at her friend's sleeve, her smile nervous. "Right, Shinsou?"

"Yeah, calm down, you dolts," Shinsou shrugs, keeping his gaze locked onto Ojiro. "See what I have to put with? You're lucky Satou's a decent guy, or this cake would have been a pile of mush."

It's then that Ojiro notices Satou a few feet behind Shinsou, his large hands fixed onto his hips. He shakes his head and beams at the cake, wax dripping past the candles' stems and coating the frosting's top. "Don't sell yourself short, Shinsou! I hardly touched the thing. You should have seen him, Ojiro - looked like a total pro in the kitchen."

Warm adoration blossoms over Ojiro's chest, and his fingers tingle, aching to cup Shinsou's chin and kiss his exhausted eyes. He opts to take a cautious step forward instead, inspecting the cake Shinsou made from scratch. "You... made this? For my birthday?"

Shinsou looks away, his grip on the porcelain plate tightening. "Satou's being modest. I just followed his instructions."

"But you made it, right?" Ojiro presses onward, feeling the weight of his classmates' stares. They've seen little of their fledgling relationship, most likely curious about their daily interactions and affectionate gestures. "This... it was all your idea, wasn't it? With Hagakure?"

"Can you please ask questions later and blow out these damn candles?" Shinsou retorts, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. "This cake's gonna turn into nothing but hot wax soon."

Ojiro chuckles, closing in until his hand brushes against the other boy's forearm. He forgets Shinsou can be... cute. It's still odd to think about, given where their relationship started. "Okay, okay. I'll make a wish, but... thank you. This means a lot."

Shinsou neglects to smile as Ojiro's classmates gather around, encouraging him to make a fun, exciting wish. Ojiro shuts his eyes and reflects for a moment, trying to come up with something. But with his friends around him, with Shinsou glancing down at the cake, processing Ojiro's gratitude and gentle touch...

There's not much else to wish for.

Still, Ojiro blows out the candles and his friends clap and cheer, setting off another round of confetti bombs. He makes a wish and approximately ninety-seconds later, it comes true.

He bites into the snickerdoodle cake, rolling the cinnamon chips and maple frosting across his tongue. While everyone else squabbles over the largest piece, Ojiro briefly kisses Shinsou's jawline, his words faint and giddy against his neck, "This tastes amazing."

Shinsou turns his head and stares at Ojiro before whispering back, his voice soft and earnest, "You deserve it, Mashirao. Happy birthday."

And once Ojiro's heart flutters, once Shinsou kisses his temple and Ashido spots them, shrieking in response - he knows. This evening has indeed moved beyond special.

It's perfect.