@chronal-anomaly asked: While previous years were quiet celebrations, snuck in as if creeping past years of troubles, this year was a vibrant affair. The invites had gone out two week previously, to the members of the track team, to the cute boy that Byan blushed about whenever they spoke of him, to the few members of the class that they didn't hate. Detailed in the heading was the key, stamped S U R P R I S E party. When they eventually made their way back to her small flat, they would be met with streamers and decorations and a small room with so many people they could call friends, a life built all their own. In a cheesy cheer, the small crowd emerged from their various hiding spots with a "surprise!!"
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คno longer so oblivious to lena's true care, a few too many years of small birthday celebrations in to claim ignorance any longer, byan anticipates it this time as they move along the sidewalk up to her door. what's more, they're looking forward to itโ some cake, a bit of weed, just hanging out for the night watching tv together or playing a game... it sounds like a nice time. a hell of a lot nicer than disappearing to drown themself in drugs as they had in years past.
what they aren't expecting, however, is an actual party. confusion marks their face when they push the door to lena's flat open and their eyes find the decorations strung up across the living room. lips part to call out, to tell her she didn't need to go to all this trouble, only for them to be met with the next surpriseโ
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คใ
ค" โjesus fuckโ "ใ
คthe curse escapes more sharply than necessary when, out of nowhere, an entire group of people spring up to shout 'surprise' at them. caught utterly off guard, though thankfully not so abruptly as to trigger their fight or flight, a hand moves to clutch at their chest while they heave a deep exhale. there's still a faint touch of alarm in their expression, in their eyes, but it softens slightly as they scan over the small crowd of familiar faces.
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คใ
ค" the fuck? "ใ
คthe question leaves on a laugh, byan stepping inside and closing the door behind them. they have to laugh right now, else they'll cry. they can already feel the lump forming in their throat, the threat of tears stinging in the corners of their eyesโ but if they start crying here, in front of so many people, their fight or flight instincts really will kick in. so they laugh, and ride the emotion off that way.
a surprise party. all for them, for their birthday. someone taking the time to plan all of this, to gather all of these people together, just for them. it's the sort of thing their younger self had only been able to dream of, something that felt like nothing but fantasy... yet here lena was, making it into reality.
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คใ
ค" damn, y'all're sneakier than i thought... i had no fuckin' clue! "ใ
คgrin spread wide, deeper emotions shoved to one side to be felt in detail later (probably while they suffocate lena with a gigantic hug once they're alone), byan moves further into the room to join the throng, quick to start chattering away with classmates and teammates alike. a glimpse of movement in their periphery draws their gaze over as the conversation continues around them, and they find themself meeting lena's eyes. warmth overtakes them in that moment and, breaking their grin to stick their tongue out at her, they flash a playful middle finger her way. i'm gonna get you later. gonna kick you in the shin for almost making me cry and ruin my street cred in front of everyone and tell you i love you. asshole.
