There's always a light within the darkness

The sky always held within it crystalline memories, shimmering and bright in his mind’s eye. When he looked up, that boundless freedom seemed so close he could reach up and claim it. The memory of that sky reminded him of what freedom felt like, even when he was trapped within four small walls, and all he had to hold was her hand. 

Back then, birthdays were a concept he’d only read about in books. Memories from before their time at the shelter were hazy, foggy at best, containing cryptic pieces and flashes of what he knew should and should not be. 

The hand holding tightly onto his gave a gentle tug. Her once clear eyes were welled with tears; they fell as slow and measured as the rain pelting against her light blue umbrella. 

He’d promised her back then he’d be her family. 

Running away alone wasn’t a question, even if his whole being said this path would cause both of them nothing but heartbreak. 

Still, when she said she needed him…it was the first time he felt truly whole. The sky opened up, the world felt warm and worth living in. After that day he made it his life’s purpose to never leave her alone again. 

Wherever they went next, it would be together. So, when the headmistress asked him what day was his “birthday” he chose that day. Even if it wasn’t true, he wanted it to be.

And every year he’d remember, and cherish that promise with her and somehow, she’d always make that day special. 

Even when Gran came to take them to their first home, he kept up that promise to his little pipsqueak.

She was still quiet, and that small little body was ravaged by cold sweats and nightmares every rainy night. In those times, he held her close, whispered to her stories that made her giggle and gasp.

”You really are so bad with stories Caleb,” she’d say. 

She wasn’t wrong, he really did suck at them. It wasn’t like he’d had anyone to tell stories to before. So, it became his mission to practice. 

But as he gained control of his evol, shadow puppet shows in the attic under the glow of an old emergency lantern became easier and easier. He’d pick up books at the library and act them out for her until she’d wear out from laughing, and sleep peacefully in his arms. And slowly, but surely, that quiet and cautious little pipsqueak came out of her shell. 

And wow was she loud, and maybe a little bratty. He’d spoiled her rotten before. Gave into her every whim. He even made sure to buy two of everything with his allowance money, just so she’d never feel left out. That one time he hadn’t, she didn’t speak to him for weeks! Never again. A mad lil pipsqueak was just too scary.

So, to avoid any unnecessary “making pipsqueak mad” opportunities, he’d fulfill a long forgotten promise. Each and every year he would make sure there was still time for it to be just them on that special day. As Caleb’s friend group grew, they would slip away after a time and hide away, with just the two of them—one year they snuck out and viewed the stars after her fever broke, and another was spent stuffing themselves with leftover cake until they were sick, and then there was that time they spent recovering from a nasty sunburn on the beach the day before. Still, they always found something to do and take in all summer had to offer on his special day.

Really, to him it was their special day. It was when she tended to spoil him, make surprise grand gestures—even if he could see right through her plans. 

Some things hadn't changed; that wish, and that long forgotten promise. Still, things were different even if he’d never wished for it to be. 

He was gone and broke that promise for a year. Spent that day alone that year, longing for her on a rainy and muggy summer day that no longer held the same meaning. 

So, when they met again, he promised himself this time to always spend each birthday with her. He’d already regretted the two times he’d missed a chance to have her spoil him. 

And now he had even more to lose. They were closer now, far closer than he’d ever dreamed they’d be. After that he had no more wishes. Well maybe just one. 

*ੈ✩‧₊˚⁺˚⋆｡°✩₊

“How long do I need to keep my eyes closed, huh?”

“Shhh no peeking! You promised no peeking. And you promised to let me guide you the whole way there.” 

“So that’s the reason for the blindfold. Can’t trust me?”

“Nope, you never seem to actually get surprised. So this is the only surefire way.” 

“Ooh, don’t worry. I’m really enjoying you taking the lead. My anticipation is building for pipsqueak’s extra-special operation. So how many more steps colonel?”

He heard her huff as the creak of a door opening resounded through his ears. Obviously, they were back at the guesthouse; there really wasn’t anywhere else they could go after being nearly soaked by that downpour. He’d counted the steps they’d taken from the park, and even when she deflected and said they had “one last stop,” he’d pretended to buy it. 

Pipsqueak just really loved her surprises, even if she was absolutely terrible at hiding them. At least he thought that way until he saw that T-93 all spick and span on the tarmac earlier. He knew the surprise had something to do with flying, but never something like that.

After all the hell he’d given Gideon earlier, he’d have to thank him now, wouldn’t he? 

Flying in the sky like that together and witnessing a pilot’s glory with her by his side, nothing could be more perfect. Living a childhood dream with her was probably the best birthday he’d had in a while. How was it that she kept topping herself each year? Making each gift more sweet—though nothing was as sweet as last year. Just the sheer memory of it made a heat travel up his neck. 

“At least 10 more steps—Caleb, did you get a sunburn? I could have sworn I tossed you the sunscreen this morning….”

He cleared his throat. “Maybe it wasn’t a high enough SPF. So, count to ten then you’ll finally take this off?” 

”Yes yes, Colonel, ten, nine, eight—“

”I thought you were counting to ten, not down from ten,” he chuckled, earning a rough push forward from a terrifyingly strong pipsqueak. ”You knocked all the air out of me aha…”

”Seven, six, five, four…” she said with a giggle as she slowly untied the blindfold, her fingertips brushing against his ears as the fabric’s sensation faded into memory. “Three, two, one—ready for take off! Go on now, open them! I’m waiting.” 

Caleb took in the sight before him with misty-eyed awe. They weren’t inside the guesthouse at all, but on the rooftop overlooking the base. In the distance he could see planes taking off into the sky, free and sure of their destination. He’d thought about coming up here earlier that morning, only for pipsqueak to divert his attention. Now, seeing her elaborate setup, he knew the reason.

The sunsetting horizon was dotted with hanging Polaroid photographs, dangling from string lights she had set up around a tent filled with pillows. Nearby, on a small table sat an open book, surrounded by orange, white, and blue paper cranes. He could see she’d set up a little station of gifts for him, handmade and bearing his likeness, small clay figures of the two of them, and a crocheted pair of sunny apples. 

He caught himself weaving through to look at the photos; all of them were memories of the two of them at his birthdays, her birthdays, and all the major milestones they’d had in their lives together. As he got closer to the table, one photo caught his eye.

It was a picture of him sleeping next to her, wearing the same outfit she’d picked out for them to wear on his birthday last year. She was wearing that light blue dress, the ribbon sleeves askew and half untied, and her rosy cheeks were pressed up by a shy smile. 

He plucked the photo from the clip and held it up to her. “When…did you take this?” 

Just as he was turning to face her, she rushed to embrace him from behind. 

Playfully she rubbed her cheeks against his back, then stood up on her tiptoes to prop her chin on his shoulder. “Hmm, when do you think? You’re usually good at guessing games.” 

“Was it…that morning after my birthday last year?” The words felt sticky and hot on his tongue. He knew that must have been when she snuck a photo. But the fact she’d been awake and had the foresight to mark that memory astounded him. It made him want to double-check, and hear the admission from her own lips. It would make the memory more of a reality than a dream. 

A light hum escaped her lips as she snatched the photo from him. Playfully, she slowly stepped over to the table and slid the photo in the crease of the open book. “Come get your present and find out for sure. Remember earlier you said you wanted to start a new album of memories of us. Well—here’s your start, ta-dah!” 

“I’m seriously stunned, you read my mind, huh? Even before I said that earlier, you had this all planned out, huh?” Caleb’s eyes crinkled as he thumbed through the album, being sure to sneakily tuck that birthday photo into his back pocket when she wasn’t looking. 

“Naturally, like you said–we know each other better than anyone else. You wanted more memory anchors, so now you have a half-filled brand new album started. It contains every sneaky photo I’ve ever taken this past year. And yes, I’m sure you have seen half of them–but still there are probably a few you haven’t, hmm?” 

She left a light peck on his cheek, grinning as his eyes widened. But that same surprise was swiped away with a knowing smirk. 

“Oh, well, I doubt you know how many I snuck in this year. Should we compare? Or do you have even more in store for me?” 

“Uh, well, I had planned for us to watch the stars up here, but with the rain forecast–I think those clouds have gobbled up our chances for a good view,” her sheepish smile coaxed him into pulling her closer with his evol. Her hair was slightly damp from the misty air, and her skin glistening. Those bow lips, tinged pink from her constant biting of them all day were too tempting to resist any longer. Caleb placed the book in her hands, then floated her up into the air to land in his arms. The last time he’d held her like this was last spring, when he’d long given up on making promises he couldn’t keep. A time when she told Caleb that she’d rather he always come home without fail. 

How could he not want to return to her? Caleb cut off a light squeak threatening to spill from her lips with a kiss. Her soft and pillowy flesh clashed against him with a matched hunger, hot and sweet. Her hand reached to cup his cheek, as she pulled away, her half-parted lips invited him in for more. 

Caleb touched his forehead to hers, and took in a deep breath. With a sigh, he reluctantly put this moment on hold. “Why don’t you follow my lead again and we go back to our room? The night isn’t over just yet, and I’m really greedy, you know.” 

She reflexively held the album close to her chest, her gaze darting from the display back to him. “I can text the hotel staff to take the photos down for me?”

“Mhmmm, and?” 

“Aaand we can change out of these clothes and-–”

“And?” He chuckled, already beginning the walk back to the stairwell. “After such a sweet and lovely day, you really think that is how it should end?” Caleb gave her a lingering kiss on her forehead, then another on her nose before peppering her cheeks. He could feel her tense in his arms, as her cheeks reddened. 

“I’ve already told them we’re doing a late check-out. "

“Oooh?” 

With a huff, she put both of her hands on his cheeks and squished them before kissing him. “Stupid, Caleb, dummy Caleb. Stop teasing me. Let’s go already.” 

“Your wish is my command,” He chuckled. “But why did you want to see the stars tonight? Knowing you, there was more to that plan.” 

“I found a photo of us while looking through one of Gran’s cloud saves. It was back when we first moved in with her. I didn’t remember that time until I looked at the photo. She’d caught us sneaking out back then, when you used your evil to float me down from the window to sneak away to our first secret base to watch the stars. Do you remember that?” 

“Of course. I’ve always been the one who has to hold onto those little memories that a certain lil’ pipsqueak finds ever so hazy.” 

She puffed out her cheeks and gave his shoulder a light punch. With a sigh, she pulled out a photo from her pocket. He stopped in his tracks, pausing at the end of the stairwell as she held it up for him to see. It was a picture of him using his evol for the first time on her. After being stuck inside all day with a fever, he spent his birthday inside playing nurse, despite many whiny protests.

“When your fever finally broke, my birthday was almost over. So you insisted we sneak out. I can’t believe Gran knew the whole time and even took a photo. Wow, she’s still full of surprises.” 

“Yeah. I don’t think she even scolded us about it at all. Maybe that was an extra gift from her since it was our first year there. I don’t remember it that well. But when you say it, I feel like I do. So I wanted to view the stars with you again–make a new memory.” 

Caleb didn’t know what to say to that. It was the third year without Gran. Home wasn’t what it used to be. Still, the fact he was here right now with the one person he’d never want to let go of was nothing short of a miracle. Being sad and frustrated never did any good. Still, he missed those times when all they had to worry about was getting home on time. 

“We’ve viewed the stars countless times together since then,” Caleb began, pausing to open the door to their room with his evol. “But I’d rather it just be you and me for the next few hours. I want you all to myself.”  

That precious person, the one he’d always rush to protect, rested his new memory album on her chest so she could wrap her arms around his neck. “Wish granted, I’m yours for the next 100 years.” 

Caleb set her down on the bed, taking care to set the album on the nightstand. He pressed his knee onto the bed, barricading her in as she attempted to get up.

Caleb leaned in close and left a lingering kiss on her neck, the sensation sending a pleasurable moan from her lips. He captured her gaze by slowly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, his thumb grazing her cheekbones and down her chin to press up her bottom lip. “Have you forgotten how greedy I am? You’re mine forever,” Caleb whispered before pulling her into his orbit. 

Not even something as miraculous as stars could tear him away from her on his special day. 

A/N:

Thank you for reading! This short and sweet fic is basically me spoiling Caleb as much as I can. I hope you enjoyed reading some tooth-rotting fluff for his birthday. I wanted to go a little spicy at the end as no-return night was so iconic, I can't imagine they didn't do even more to cap off their trip. Happy Birthday Caleb, sending all the wishes for clear skies, happiness, and to always be with his forever person.

Rays spilled across the russet horizon like molten gold. Not too long ago, Caleb thought he’d never see a sky like this, never again hear her voice, or have her barrel towards him for a warm embrace. He’d come out of that near-disastrous flight relatively intact. Recovery came fast, but returning to his life as it was before was nearly impossible.

Strange dreams haunted him ever since he returned from the deep-space tunnel. It brought with it moments of dissonance, making him feel like this life was but one of many. Dreams vivid and clear as if he’d been the one who lived them. All of them had the same thing in common: she was by his side, and none of those lives included spending at least 100 years with her.

A life where they were nothing but weapons in a world laid to ruin. Where she had a fate destined to burn bright and herald oblivion.

Another where he’d left her behind, only for his precious person to crumble in his absence. There, too, they were split apart again, and again.

Each dream made an inescapable longing tear into his flesh and draw out a deprivation that would never be sated. So, when his scheduled return to Linkon for his Birthday arrived, he was the first to call her when he reached the platform.

Time. He just wanted all of her time. No calls from her friends from college asking her to meet, and no sneaking away to surprise him for his birthday. He didn’t want to even make room for Gran to take them out to a traditional ‘birthday family dinner.’ Caleb would much rather stay in their house, away from prying eyes, and be fully and completely home with her.

But when he heard her voice filled with such excitement, laying out “Caleb’s Adrenaline-Filled Adventure Party” itinerary, he couldn’t help but feel happy, even if he wasn’t too thrilled at sharing their time with their old schoolmates.

Caleb didn’t have the heart to tell her he was still sore and recovering. And he would never tell her about the accident, let alone his homesickness, or that the thought of spending his precious free time with anyone else but her made his skin crawl.

In some strange way, he was actually thankful for almost dying. It made him realize what was important. Who was most important.

So, to have that very precious person, almost break her neck at that very party she all-so-meticulously planned, was enough to make him almost bring the entire Linkon Adventure Park down.

“I’m sorry. I feel like I ruined your birthday,” She said, her voice muffled and soft as she nuzzled his neck, no doubt trying to dry her tears.

Caleb sighed, readjusting her limp form against his back. He’d coaxed her to let him carry her piggyback home. All it took was promising to make her favorite chicken wings later, and she folded without fuss.

“There’s nothing for you to apologise for, if anything, I should for letting you try rockclimbing with such weak soles on your shoes.”

He should have been faster to catch her when she slipped.

How could I look away from her for just one second?

Never again.

“That’s not your fault either,” she groaned, her slack arms wrapped tighter around his shoulders. “You caught me! I was just clumsy enough to lose my footing in the first place. I just hate that your party ended early.”

“I think it ended right on time, if you ask me,” Caleb mumbled.

Unbothered, she leaned forward to peer at his profile.“Really? How so?”

At her round eyes, he swallowed hard. Even just her breath against his cheek was enough to send his heart racing. Her pursed lips, supple and a deep pink, twisted into a wry smile. “Were you homesick, Caleb? Did you actually want to be a complete homebody this weekend?”

All the tension left his body as he stifled a laugh. “Can’t hide anything from you, huh? You’re right, I wanted to do absolutely nothing at home with you all day.”

“If you wanted that, then why didn’t you just tell me?” She whined, lightly kicking her feet.

“My cute lil’ cupcake planned an extra special day for me. Why wouldn’t I attend such a grand event hosted only once a year by the pipsqueak?”

“Alright, alright! I admit I went overboard inviting your high school classmates and your college friends– but Gideon mentioned you’ve been a little down lately, so I just…well…”

“You wanted me to let loose, huh” Caleb chuckled, his gaze transfixed on the ground. “Do you remember back when we were kids–– the time we snuck away from my birthday to go to one of our secret bases?”

“Yeah. We took the cake with us and finished it all by ourselves under the stars. Got absolutely sick the next day from it and covered in mosquito bites,” She groaned, leaning forward to press her chin against the crown of his head. He felt her take a deep breath, and a strange heaviness rose and fell in his chest at the sound. “Itchiest birthday ever, I felt so bad about it. I was the one who cried and made you sneak out with me.”

“It was the itchiest and best birthday ever for me. Sure, we were miserable after, but at the time, I just thought, ‘Wow, we really got away with leaving everything behind.’ Not just the cake, but even telling stories about the constellations until you fell asleep was sweet.”

She pressed her index fingers to the corners of his lips and lifted them upwards into a smile. “Caleb is such a softie, being extra nice when a certain brat ruined his birthday not once, but twice.”

“Just twice? Really, you can’t think of any other birthday where things didn’t go as planned? That’s what makes it fun, not ruined. Plus, any birthday with you is the best birthday ever. So this is a happy accident, besides you getting hurt. That I’m not too thrilled about.”

Caleb focused his gaze on the horizon. He saw the outline of Grans’ rooftop, illuminated in a soft orange glow. It was still so far. He could use his evol to get there faster, but then he’d be cutting short his alone time with pipsqueak.

“Really? Then I guess all ends well.” Her bubbling laughter filled the air, bringing with it the light, gentle breeze of summer. Her grip tightened, embracing him as if the mere act was just to assure him of something. “Happy Birthday Caleb. If every birthday requires me to be there to be the best, then just don’t be so far away that I can’t come. Ok?”

A familiar ache tightened in his chest. He wanted to say he’d never go anywhere she couldn’t go

He glanced down at his necklace. The words ‘When U Come Back’ both comforted and cursed him. After the crash, he’d planned never to wear it on a flight again.

“Ok. I’ll try not to.”

❀*ੈ✩‧₊˚

Caleb woke up to a muted ceiling.

No longer in Linkon.

This is Skyhaven.

He put his hands over his eyes, took in a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

A dream of the past again, back when all he had to worry about was coming home to her. At the time, he didn’t know how precious that freedom was.

He sat up and greeted the dawn, his right hand running across the sheets in search of her traces. The temperature readings reflected subtle warmth. A wry smile crossed his lips. To think, she woke up before him for once.

Caleb knew something was up the moment he stepped into a fully lit hallway. Dawn had only just broken, coloring his dark and cold apartment with an orange tint. Drawn back curtains guided him to her hunched-over form, buried in a familiar album in front of his bookcase on the floor. She was dressed in one of his old t-shirts, with her hair tied up with the apple hairclip he’d bought her the day before.Her focus was so intense that Caleb was able to sit down next to her without her even noticing.

He stared at her for a while, expecting some reaction. When there was none, he laid his head on her shoulder and nuzzled the crook of her neck.

That made her finally look up.

Round eyes met his as the slightest hint of surprise melted into a bright smile. “Oh, you’re awake. Welcome back to the land of early risers, Caleb.”

“I was beginning to become a bit jealous of this album,” he teased, pulling her into his arms. One arm slipped behind her waist while the other pulled her to him, eliciting a squeak as he moved her to sit between his legs.

She happily leaned up against his chest. “Now you have my full attention, happy?”

“Hmm, not yet.” Caleb shot her a challenging smirk and made a move to pluck the book from her grasp. “One of our many albums, I see,” Caleb held the album just out of reach to take a closer look, ignoring her whines to return it.

The page was open to a photo of them from his academy days. She was on his back, her shoes off and in his hands, giving two peace signs at presumably Gran holding the camera. Caleb was smiling widely in the photo, his gaze fixed on her. When was this? It took him a moment to notice a faint red mark on her ankle. His eyes widened.

Just then, pipsqueak used her full weight to push him down on the floor. Playfully, she laid on his chest and triumphantly plucked the book from his hands. “When did you grab this from the attic, huh?” She gave him a light kiss, melting his surprise into a sheepish grin.

Caleb laughed. It was ironic to think he’d dreamed about that very summer. “Right after Gran let us out of the attic. Didn’t feel right keeping it in storage.”

She giggled, then poked his cheek. “Good job, past Caleb. You saved even more memories than I thought. I almost forgot we took a photo that day. Then again, I only recall one time we didn’t get a photo on your birthday,” her voice softened, as if the mere memory of the year before still haunted her.

It did him too.

Caleb caressed her cheek then traced his thumb across the outline of her lips. “How are you going to make it up to me?”

“Hmm, I was going to wait and surprise you, but–don’t you think it’s time we retire this album and start a new one? And maybe stay in all day for your birthday? Watch old movies, stuff our faces, and then put all our recent photos in the shiny new album I got you.”

Caleb wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed her down closer to his chest. Her subtle squeak only enticed him to kiss her. He captured her achingly soft lips with his own, the taste of fresh citrus lingering from the tea she’d had just a few minutes before. To think that was what touched her lips first this morning. A hint of jealousy made him dare to deepen the kiss, eliciting a soft, pleasurable moan. He wanted to tease her, dare her into wanting more.

“Sounds perfect to me,” he said, deep and drawn out, in that way he knew would trap her. “But I don’t want to share you with even an old movie just yet. I can be extra selfish on a day like today, right?”

“Naturally.”

Just like every year, he’d always want one thing for his birthday.