A/N: This is purely self indulgent since my birthday is tomorrow and I've always hated birthdays :')
“Kitten,” was the first thing Y/N heard rumbling against her temple in a deep whisper as she began to stir in a bed much comfier than her own. “Wake up, pretty girl.”
Eyebrows furrowed, Y/N slowly blinked open her groggy eyes, her briefly blurring gaze landing on a pair of crimson galaxies. She couldn't help but smile sleepily.
“Happy birthday, kitten,” Sylus whispered and pressed his lips against Y/N's forehead.
Her cheeks heating up with both shyness and embarrassment, Y/N scrunched up her nose. “I hate birthdays,” she whispered, though her heart fluttered at the sheer tenderness in his words.
Sylus chuckled, a low rumble that vibrated in a soothing wave against Y/N's cheek. “I know, kitten. But I'll be damned if I don't wish my favourite girl a happy birthday.”
Lips curving up into a smile, Y/N tightened her arms around Sylus's firm torso and buried her face into his chest, the dark t-shirt he was wearing soft and warm against her skin. She took her time and inhaled in his familiar scent - a hint of smokiness and a rich sweetness that always felt like home to her.
“Thank you,” she whispered, and she meant it. Truth be told, her perception of birthdays had been ruined from when she was a child; having friends who never quite felt close enough to share the joy with them was one thing, but having a family who didn't understand her and went out of their way to make her miserable was another. She had learned to dread the day every year, longing to skip over it so she could move on and continue with her regular life.
Yet deep down, a part of her always longed to find joy in the day like anyone else would. The idea of someone genuinely taking interest in her and celebrating the day with her because they wanted to, not as a chore, was a bittersweet longing that coiled around inside of her. But at the same time, the idea of an entire day dedicated to her and her wishes made her feel … selfish.
She had her parents to thank for that, she supposed.
Sylus's long fingers carding through her hair brought her out of her pained thoughts and back into the intimate cocoon they were in on his large bed. The tips of his fingers gently caressed Y/N's scalp, and she shivered, her eyes prickling at the affection.
“We don't have to do anything you don't want to,” Sylus said slowly. “I know you have a lot of bad memories relating to your birthday. But I … I'd like to help you make new ones, if you'd let me. And if you're up for it, I know Luke and Kieran probably have dozens of stupid things planned.”
His last words were faintly mocking, yet Y/N didn't need to look at him to know that he was smiling as he said them.
She giggled under her breath. “I couldn't be more terrified.”
Sylus's laughter was smooth and made Y/N's own smile widen against his collarbone. She felt his fingers settle below her chin as he tilted her face up towards him.
“What do you want?” He asked her softly, his fingers smoothing lovingly over her cheekbones. “Name it, and it's yours. Anything you want.”
“I … “ Y/N broke off, embarrassed. She wasn't used to asking others for things she wanted.
Sylus's thumb kept sweeping back and forth over her cheek as he patiently waited for her to speak again. He gently trailed his knuckles over her jaw and neck, sending delicious shivers through her, her eyes fluttering shut.
Her face steaming, Y/N spoke in a tiny voice. “Pancakes?”
Sylus's eyes flickered with something warm. “I can't hear you, kitten,” he teased her. “One more time, hmm?”
Spluttering with a soft giggle, Y/N smiled up at him. “I'd like some pancakes. Please. If it's not a bother.”
Reaching for her hand, Sylus took a hold of her palm and pressed kisses to each one of her fingers. “Kitten, you could ask me for an entire pancake company and it wouldn't be a bother. Of course you can have pancakes.”
Y/N's eyes lit up and she wriggled up the bed so she was face to face with him. She gently kissed his warm cheek, and was rewarded when the bridge of his nose and the tips of his ears glowed a charming scarlet.
Lips spreading into a devastating smile, Sylus scooped his arm around Y/N's waist and tugged her close to him. His hands cradled her face and he planted a slow, sweet kiss on her lips, his warmth flooding into her and making her breath hitch against his mouth.
“I love you,” Sylus said slowly, running his thumb reverently over her lower lip. “Very, very much.”
Y/N's cheeks prickled with more heat at his words. “I love you too, Sy.”
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