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February 14th never rang any bells for you, this year it was Carnaval but every year something different was in your plans, sometimes it meant travelling with your friends or your family, others it meant going out with your friends, but others it was just an excuse to stay home and just do whatever it was that you wanted or needed to do.

So when the date came, it was hard not to notice the smell of pancakes waking you up. The opposite side of the bed was empty, Joe was already awake, and making breakfast. Weird. When the both of you were home together he used to just stay in bed with you until the two woke up, it was a habit he created without noticing, but you loved it.

You put on your flip flops and got out of bed, making a quick stop at the bathroom to wash your face and brush your teeth, before going to the kitchen, to find a shirtless Joe finishing to lay the table.

“Hey, you’re awake. Hope you’re hungry.” he came over with a smile so big, it made you wonder if something good happened, worth a breakfast celebration or something like this. 

He pulled you tight against him and wrapped his arms around your body. Joe was really affectionate and had literally no shame in showing how much he loved you, be it through words, actions, or whatever was available. So again, nothing was ringing for you.

“Even if I wasn’t, there is no way I would decline your cooking.” you answered with a smile before showering his face with kisses.

“My cooking? Just wait for later tonight, I booked your favorite restaurant for dinner.” the smile on his face didn’t falter, in fact, it seemed to have grown after the kisses.

“I mean, I am more than happy to have my handsome boyfriend showering me with treats and all-” a peck on his lips “but, may I ask you what have I done to deserve all of this? Or have you just woken up in a specially good mood?”

“What do you mean babe? It’s February 14.” his voice dropped a tone, he sounded confused and your face probably looked just as confused “Have you forgotten? Valentine 's day.”

And there it was. It finally came to mind all those big pink and red balloons, cards and flowers that had been bombarding your face all week on the streets. The thing is, it had never occurred to you to celebrate the date someday. This was the first time you and Joe spent the date as a couple.

“Shit. I’m sorry Joe, like really sorry, I just- I didn’t mean to forget it.” You started to ramble desperately. You hadn’t bought him anything, every restaurant would be booked for lunch and however, the damage was done.

This was something new to you, during past relationships the men were the ones who used to forget something important and had to deal with a sad or angry version of you. So being on the other side was weird.

“It’s okay, it’s not that big of a deal.” he said in a low voice.

It was a big deal for him.

The breakfast was a new kind of torture, you tried doing some small talk, complimenting his cooking, asking about his work schedule for the next week, commented a call you made with one of his sisters a few days ago, but was met with a few vague answers.

Joe was not one to be actually mad, but it was clear that he was sad, disappointed in how much effort he had put into a date that you didn’t even acknowledge. 

The silence filled the room while getting ready for dinner. And it was something you couldn’t take anymore.

“Amor, please, I am really sorry for forgetting. I know it doesn’t change the way you feel but it hurts to be… ignored.” 

He turned to you with a frown, and snapped. “It also hurts to be the only one caring enough to plan something for the both of us. Come on, the valentines is all over the place, how can someone forget it?”

“I- is not that I don’t care, it was a genuine mistake. And for the… fuck I don’t even know how to say it, but I am sorry, okay? I know it is all over the place, but it always was, even before coming to the U.S., and this is actually the first time I had to be a part of it.”

“Oh right. Because that actually makes a difference.” His tone was now full of irony, and your patience was getting thinner.

“Yes. It does. In Brazil right now is just another day in life, and it has been like this for me ever since-”

“Oh so now it is also just another day in life?”

“This is not what I meant."

“It is what you said.” 

“That is also not-”

“Why don’t we do it like this: we also act like just another day in life at birthdays as well? ” Joe was now getting sassier.

“Joe-”

“Maybe Christmas is next, and-”

“When you want to have a proper conversation we can talk again.”

You cut him off grabbing your purse and the keys to your car before heading out of the shared room, and soon enough, the house as well. As soon as you get in the car, your head falls to the steering wheel, breathing in and out in an attempt to calm yourself down. Your hands were shaking out of nervousness and the tears were starting to form in your eyes.

Fuck. You never meant to forget any important dates with Joe, you were there and celebrated with him on the day he went touring as Djo last year, you celebrated the end of Stranger Things with him, his birthday was like a holiday for you. But this one time you fucked up, and Joe knew how to be mean whenever he felt mad at someone, you just never thought his next victim would be you.

After about ten minutes of calming down, the passenger door opening abruptly made you jump in your seat, before the very known bleached hair head got into the seat beside you.

“Fuck, you scared me.” you said feeling your heartbeat getting faster again.

“I’m sorry. For scaring… and being mean to you too.” he sighed “It was stupid of me to act like that towards you, really really stupid.”

His big doe eyes were looking directly to yours, with a little frown, accompanied by a soft look on his face this time. Joe’s eyes traveled through your whole face, noticing how you have been crying and the hurt expression you held.

“I felt hurt and hadn’t thought about it not being an important date all around the world. God it was so self-centered of me to not take that in consideration, guess I never felt so American as I do now.”

A strangled laugh left your mouth, but you were quick to recompose yourself with a mad expression.

“North-American.”

“Right, North-American.” he laughed “I am sorry, I get it that you didn’t mean to forget it, and if I am being honest, it doesn’t even bother me not having a gift from you or something like that. It just felt weird, because you are always there in every special moment… it should be enough, and it is. I’m sorry for being a dick.”

Your eyes softened now. The sincerity in his words did a really good job at easing the hurt.

“You are right, you were self-centered, and a dick as well.” you sighed “But I love you, a lot, and you better not be bringing all that sass around me again. So I forgive you.”

“Thank you, I promise to get better around you, miss.” he took your hand in his “And again I am sorry. I love you, and everything that represents you and your culture... gosh june really is for the lovers in Brazil, isn't it?"

"Wow, you made your homework."

"Yeah, and I saw you let it pass last year." you just shrugged "Won't let it happen again this year. I'm sorry for that one too. From now on, june 12, won't go blank at our household."

"Thank you for that. I will make sure to not forget again."