Happy Birthday, Erwin Smith!
ERWIN BIRTHDAY FIC!
Summary:Ā
Erwin Smithās nineth birthday.
Characters:Ā Erwin Smith, Aidan Smith (father), Clara Smith (mother)
Happy Birthday, Erwin!
It was Erwinās birthday and everything needed to be perfect.
āIt was about time for us to figure it out, you knowā Clara said to her husband.
āTrue that.ā laughed Aidan. ā But Clara, itās you who always wants everything to be perfect.ā
āAidan!ā Clara slapped him slightly on the arm. āDonāt pretend you donāt want it to be perfect! Itās for Erwin.ā
Aidan just grinned.
āI was only joking, love.ā He squeezed her hand and went to see their gift for the hundredth time.
Clara got into the kitchen to check the cake, calling over her shoulder.
āYouāre going to tear the wrapping before Erwin can get a look.ā
She heard Aidanās laugh from the other room. āWell, I hope he wakes up soon. Ā Honestly, I think Iām more excited than him.ā
āThatās not surprising, given he doesnāt know about it.ā Clara smiled and deemed the cake to be ready in twenty minutes. āThis birthday must be the best.ā
āWell, we certainly thought about everything.ā Aidan came back, and helped Clara setting the table.
āThatās sure.ā Clara remembered all the failed attempts to make Erwin like his birthday (well, after he realized what exactly was a birthday) ā the sixth one with all the family, the seventh one with his schoolmates, the eighth one with the trip to the Grand Hills close to wall Sina⦠and although Erwin seemed to like the excursion, it was more because he enjoyed a little time alone with his parents than the fact that it was his āBig Dayā. They noticed that Erwin didnāt really like when the attention was solely on him. He also didnāt have close friends, and he seemed overwhelmed when the whole family cramped together in their house. He liked the gifts though, which were almost always books from the time they discovered he was fond of them.
The idea was that they took the good things from the birthday last year (the company) and discard the not too good ones (aching feet and mosquitos), combine it with the dessert she made sometimes ā Erwinās favorite - and a book as a present. But Aidan found something in the old bookstore what seemed like a better gift - although it was a bit risky idea.
When he showed it to Clara, she wasnāt so convinced, but after a little coaxing, she finally gave in.
Since then, she made her doubts show nearly every day.
āAre you sure? Shouldnāt we buy a book again? Ā What if heās not interested in it? What if he will be disappointed? What ifā¦ā
āClara.ā Aidan put aside his newspaper the second time that night, looking at her above his glasses a little impatient.
āHe will love it. Iām sure of that.ā
āI donāt know.ā Clara went and sit on his lap, with a musing expression on her face. She put her arms around his neck, effectively preventing him to bury himself in his newspaper again. āI honestly think you bought it to yourself.ā
Aidan pinched her side, and she shrieked a little before throwing him a disapproving look.
He only grinned. āErwin tends to like the things I like. I remember, I was quite the same as him.ā
The brunette shook her head.
āErwin isnāt like you in everything.ā
āYes, he has quite a lot of his mother.ā the blond man said, eyes glinting. āFor which Iāll be forever grateful.ā He kissed her shoulder.
āOh, you charmer.ā Clara nudged him, blushing, then she wrinkled her forehead in concern. āIām still not sure about it.ā
Aidan pressed his lips together.
āLetās try it. If he doesnāt like it, we could still tell him itās only one part of the gift and buy him a book later.ā
āOh, and what else? A golden watch?ā Clara chuckled.
Aidan grinned and kissed her in a way that took her breath away even after all these years.
October 14th was warmer than in the years before, the sun was shining and the rain clouds from yesterday were nowhere to be seen, only a few puddles remained on the streets. It seemed like they will also be dried up soon.
āWe couldnāt have asked for a weather better than this.ā said Clara with a bright smile, looking out the window. āMaybe we can go for a walk in the afternoon, before I have to go to the theatre.ā
The cake was almost ready and they were sitting at the table, waiting for Erwin to wake up.
āIs he still sleeping?ā asked Aidan. āHeās always awake this time in the morning, even in the weekend.ā
āExceptā¦ā Clara arched one of her eyebrows.
āOh.ā he quickly took of his glasses to clean them with his shirt to avoid her eyes.
Ā āAidan!ā
āOk, sorry, but I always forget it!ā
āAidan, thatās why Erwin wonāt sleep enough. He always stays up for long!ā
āWell, he doesnāt do it on purpose. He just gets into reading and canāt put the book down.ā
āYou are too soft on him!ā
āIām not!ā
āYes, you are! He reminds you of your younger self, so you let him do these unhealthy things. From now on, donāt forget to take the lamp from his room!ā
āOkay.ā sighed Aidan, putting his glasses back on. āBut it wonāt help a thing.ā
āWhy?ā
āHe will just go sit on the terrace, and read at the light of the street lamp.ā
Her eyes widened.
āHe surely wouldnāt do that!ā exclaimed the brunette. āItās cold outside at night and the lamps on the street donāt give enough light for reading!āĀ
āDonāt underestimate the thirst for knowledge.ā her husband grinned.
That was the moment Erwin chose to appear, rubbing his eyes with his knuckles. He was still wearing his pyjamas and his hair looked ruffled.
āGood morning, Mother. Good morning, Father.ā he murmured.
Clara noticed the fond look taking over Aidanās face. It was the same whenever he took sight of their son. She smiled, then crouched, opening her arms for Erwin.
āGood morning, sweetheart! Come here!ā Her son obeyed, and she hugged him softly.
āDo you know what day it is?ā
āMy birthday.ā Erwin answered, yawning in his mothers curly hair. To Claraās relief, the reluctant tone of his voice - which was always present when talking about his birthday - wasnāt there now. Her heart warmed at the possibility that their son would welcome the attention for once.
Clara let him go and Erwin got around the table to hug his father.
āGood morning, son.ā Ā Aidanās eyes crinkled. āWe thought we make an exception today, and you can eat some dessert for breakfast.ā
Sleepiness disappeared from Erwin posture in no time, and he made a happy sound.
āReally? What do we eat?ā
āHazelnut cake.ā said Clara, noting the big smile that made Erwin look like he just heard the most beautiful thing in his life. āBut it has to bake a little more. Why donāt you open your gift first?ā
Erwin didnāt need to be told twice. They went to the living room together, and Aidan took the brown package off the top of the bookcase.
āDo I get a book?ā Erwin asked, fidgeting with excitement.
The parents glanced at each other, Clara arching and eyebrow and waving her husband to answer this one.
āNo,ā Aidan answered cautiously, Ā ābut itās something youāve never seen before.ā
It was the right answer, as Erwin looked curious instead of disappointed. Aidan was no amateur when it came to their son.
āLetās sit down.ā suggested Clara, and they gathered close together on the soft carpet of the living room.
Aidan gave Erwin the brown package.
Erwin concentrated on opening the package, and the parents leaned forward to see Erwinās reaction.
The blond boy finally get rid of all of the wrapping paper, and took sight of large, thin, hard papers which had strange, sinuous lines on them. He stared at it for a while, then looked up at his parents, confused.
Aidan pulled one page gently from Erwinās fingers and spread it out on the carpet between the three of them.
āThese are called maps, Erwin.ā
The boyās eyes widened.
āOh! Iāve heard of those!ā he eyed the maps inquisitively, tilting his head to the side.
The blond man traced a line on the paper.
āEverything is drawn here, what you see when you walk around, only from a birdās point of view. I managed to get one of our town. It should be here somewhereā¦ā he searched through the pile which ended up on the carpet next to Erwinās leg. āAh, here. Here, this is the school, and this is our street. We live somewhere⦠here. Itās where our house is. The church is over there.ā
Clara observed Erwinās face closely as their son tried to wrap his head around what his father told him. The blond boyās eyes were wide with wonder, his lips parted with astonishment.
When Aidan went on with theĀ explanation, Clara get up from the floor with brightly. The gift was a success. It had a contrast to when Erwin got books āunlike the overwhelming delight, his reaction was much more quiet, but the feeling was just as good.
The cake was ready, but it was really hard to convince the boys to get to the kitchen, even though it was certain they were both hungry. She cut the cake and when she gave a slice to Erwin, she kissed his disheveled blond locks. āHappy birthday, sweetheart!ā
Aidan smiled at him too.
āHappy birthday, son.ā
Erwin hastily swallowed the piece of cake he had in his mouth.
āThank you Mother! Thank you Father! Thank you very much!ā
He ate twice as fast than usual, glancing between the living room and his father, who was also trying to keep up with him. Clara was unable to hide the adoring smile that appeared on her face at the sight.
When she was only halfway through her slice, her two favorite people were already sitting on the floor, and she heard Erwinās surprised voice when his father showed him the map of the three Walls.
Even the great weather couldnāt lure out the boys, they were so enveloped in the maps. Clara decided to use the time to sit out a little on the terrace, relaxing and reciting the lines for todayās performance. When she finished going through her lines for a third time, Aidan appeared next to her, and caressed her cheek with his hand.
āHey, love.āĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
She looked up.
āAre you finished explaining our son how does the mystery called āmapā work?ā
Aidan chuckled. āWell, I finished, but it seems the afternoon walk will have to wait until tomorrow, heās so engulfed in them.ā
Clara stretched his arms above her head.
āWell, at least we know we bought the right thing.ā
āThatās sure.ā her husband smiled at her. āThe cake was delicious, thank you.ā
āYouāre welcome.ā
āFather!ā theyāve heard Erwinās muffled voice from the house. āYou havenāt told me whatās this sign!ā
āOh, how could you forget that!ā Claraās brown eyes shined mischievously.
Ā āIām coming!ā her husband called, and with a last glance over his shoulder, disappeared inside the house.
Clara went back to repeat her lines.
It took every effort of them to part Erwin from the maps when it was time to go to the theatre.
āNow, gentlemen, get dressed, and I want every attention on my play now.ā Clara said strictly. āNo maps for the rest of the night.ā
āWe promise, right, Erwin?ā
āYes, we, promise, Mother!ā Erwin said, his face genuine.
āWell, then, we will meet after the play. Donāt be late!ā She kissed both of them, and got to the front door, but she turned around in the last minute. Erwin was already looking at the top shelf of the bookcase, tugging his fathers sleeve silently. When they saw that she turned around, they looked away quickly.
She couldnāt let herself laugh, so she furrowed her brows, hands on her hips.
āDo you want me to take the maps with me, so you can get to the theatre on time?ā
The look of indignation on their faces almost cracked her up. They looked so like each other, even in their expressions.
āNo, of course not!ā Aidan said, and Erwin was nodding hastily.
āIāll keep my eyes on you, boys, even if Iām not here!ā Clara shook her index finger with mock-threat.
āDonāt be late!ā She finally turned around and walked out of the house. āSee you soon!ā
As she crossed the street, she finally let the smile appear on her face.
They werenāt late. The play went down without fault, and the three of them managed to get away from the little celebration held after.
Back in the house, Clara thought Erwin will go straight to the maps after dinner, but he just wished good night and draggled towards his bedroom, yawning widely.
The couple grinned at each other.
They finished washing the dishes and putting away the food, and by the time they went to Erwinās room, he was already in bed, sleeping. The blond man covered him with the blanket, and Clara kissed him on the forehead, stroking his fair hair.
āNine years.ā whispered Aidan, hugging her from the back. āOur smart boy.ā He took hold of his wifeās hand, and kissed it.
āOur sweet, sweet boy.ā Clara breathed happily.
The End
14th of October 2014













