#reninabox

Original reference from Pinterest

◈◈◈

🐀: "You've grown close to this one."

🐈‍⬛: "I have."

🐀: "Uncle? Why?"

🐈‍⬛: "You seek what you lack."

🐀: "You worry for him."

🐈‍⬛: "For all of them. I just want them to be well."

🐀: "Is it permanent? What you seek?"

🐈‍⬛: "... I don't think anything is. Not when you're a stray."

🐀: "You enjoy it nonetheless."

It’s been two years since we’ve started celebrating your birthday. Four years since we first met. 

Oh my gosh, I can still remember the complete shock I felt when I turned on the light- just this random raccoon boy standing in the middle of the room utterly drenched from the rain. I almost swore off midnight snacks after that, I thought I was hallucinating you. 

I never imagined that you’d be the best sibling I’d ever have. 

I don’t think I ever told you this, but I found you at a tricky point in my life. You became the brightest part of my days. I would have the roughest day at work and still be happy because I knew you’d be at home. I’d look forward to gaming with you in the evenings or just hanging out. And I was so so SO happy for you when you told me you found a job of your own- and when you met Nem and Jackson, they’re so awesome! 

… I still think about that one night- when I invited my friend over? I know we already talked about it then, and I think you’ve been doing better- or at least remembering more but- I hated that you, the person who brought so much light into my life, felt that way.

Mitch. You’re enough. Just you being here- being you- that’ll always be enough. Love should never be conditional. I didn’t want you around so you could do things for me or because you owed me- I wanted you around because I liked being around you. I thought you were one of the coolest people I ever met. And then you became my friend. My family. 

I never want you to feel you’re undeserving of people’s affection or their praises. You belong here, Mitch. You always will. Don’t ever forget that, okay?

Anyway, um, you should be reading this after your birthday party tonight… I REALLY hope everything goes okay and you enjoy it!

Happy birthday, Mitch. And thank you for being my family.

Alllllllll the hugs,

Your silly little human♥️

Mitch sprinted into the café, leaning against the door as it shut behind him, catching his breath. His roommate had insisted on making him a birthday breakfast, and while it had been tasty, it’d also made him a bit late for work.

He finally looked up and noticed everyone- staff and customers- staring at him and smiling.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MITCH!” He clapped his hands over his ears at the sudden shouts, grinning widely in return. He walked quickly to the kitchen, waving at the newer employees as he passed by. Café Regale had expanded quite a bit in the past year, and the owner had been able to hire more people- namely demihumans of all kinds.

He slipped on his apron and ducked behind the counter. Jackson walked up behind him and clapped both hands onto his shoulders.

“Happy birthday, raccoon boy- you ready for the party later?” the incubus asked, releasing Mitch from his grip and pulling a tray of pastries from the oven.

“I hope so!” Nem called from the other side of the kitchen. “Jackson and I worked ages on that cake, I was tempted to eat it before we even finished decorating it.”

“An angel like yourself being tempted?” Jackson flashed a grin over at Nem and shook his head in mock disappointment. “Shame on you, Nem, I thought you were above all that.”

Nem rolled their eyes and faked throwing a rag at Jackson.

“I am excited,” Mitch said in answer to Nem’s question. Then he added sheepishly, “I’m a little nervous too, to be honest- I’ve never had this many people celebrating my birthday before.”

“Don’t be nervous.” Nem’s voice was calm and soothing as always. “I don’t think it’ll get too wild… oh but we did manage to bring in a console for a video game tournament later!”

Mitch perked up at that. “Thank you guys so much for this- seriously it- it means a lot.”

“Of course, Mitch- it’s your birthday.” Jackson nudged his friend’s shoulder lightly. “Now come on, let’s move before we get scolded by the boss-”

Nem glanced over at the two, smiling slightly, then sent a text on their phone and got back to work.

Your phone dinged as a notification popped up on your screen. You opened your texts.

Nem🪽

Have they arrived yet? Not yet, but they’re almost here. Read

You turned off your phone as two people walking down the sidewalk caught your attention. One of them was a human, while the other figure was much smaller, about Mitch’s height. They wore a hoodie that hid the majority of their face, but you could make out two faint bumps on top of their head. 

The human waved at you. “Hey! Sorry we’re a little late, got lost for a bit.”

“No problem! You two are still early,” you laughed in response. After shaking their hand you turned to the hooded figure. “And how are you doing, my friend?” 

They paused, then tugged off their hood, revealing a pair of dark brown ears on top of their silver hair. The demihuman blinked up at you. 

“I’m alright,” they said. “A little confused, but it’s nice to meet you in person.”

“The same to you.” You smiled gently at the two of them and gestured vaguely in the direction of the café. “Come on, I can’t wait for you to meet the others later…”

The last of the customers were leaving the café, and everyone was clearing up, getting ready for the second phase of the evening- Mitch’s party. On pain of never having free sweets again, Mitch had been ordered upstairs by the owner so he wouldn’t see the decorations going up. 

You pushed open the door and held it for your guests, the ringing bell giving you a spark of nervous excitement. Stepping inside, you scanned the room for Nem and Jackson and waved them over. 

The angel and incubus immediately weaved their way through the other demihumans. “Hi, welcome you two!” Nem said warmly to the newcomers. He led them to a table in the corner, asking how their trip was. Jackson turned to you. 

“You excited?” he asked.

You exhaled sharply, dropping your shoulders and hunching over slightly. “I’m so nervous- happy nervous? I think?” You glanced over at Jackson. “I’m just really hoping Mitch likes tonight.”

“Trust me, he will.”

“You still could’ve let me help with the cake by the way-”

“Listen, we’ve been over this.” Jackson’s tone took on a playful sternness. “You were already doing enough planning, and we literally bake for a living here. And yes-” he held up a hand as you opened your mouth. “We did follow your exact instructions for the cake.”

“All right, all right.” You laced your fingers together. “Thank you, Jackson. To all of you. I really couldn’t have done this without you guys.”

The last of the decorations had just been put up. You rubbed your hands over your arms and darted up the stairs, taking them two at a time. “Mitch?” you called.

Mitch glanced over at you from the couch and shot up. “Hi hi hi-!” He dashed into your arms and gave you a big hug. You returned it. “Thank you so much for everything-” he started to say.

“There’s a present downstairs for you,” you interrupted, your excitement starting to spill over. Mitch looked at you in surprise, then looked over at the stairwell. You seized his hand and led him downstairs.

The dining room’s lights were dimmed, and the entire staff of Café Regale was waiting expectantly at the foot of the stairs. Nem and Jackson were carefully holding a giant, luxurious chocolate cake, its candles glowing warmly in the darkness. Mitch looked at them, a smile slowly spreading across his face. 

“Happy birthday to you…” Nem started singing softly. Jackson joined and was quickly followed by the others, a pleasant-sounding chorus just for the raccoon boy. When the song was over, you hopped down the rest of the stairs, placing your hands on Mitch’s shoulders.

“Okay, big breath, you got this, Mitch-” You all watched as he puffed up his chest and extinguished all the candles in one breath. Jackson cheered and Nem carried the cake to rest safely on the table so they could cut it.

Mitch watched them, his heart strangely full when out of nowhere-

“Mitch?”

He froze. Then slowly turned his head.

Distracted by the crowd, he hadn’t noticed the demihuman staring at him in shock. An opossum demihuman. 

“... H-hami-?”

His old friend slammed into him, embracing him tightly. Mitch hugged him back, still coming to terms that Hami was actually here.

Hami pulled back after a minute, his eyes filled with excitement. “It’s you- we found each other again, I can’t believe it-”

“Hami- omigosh, you’re alright, it’s been ages, how are you here-”

“It was your friend- I don’t know how but they found out where I was. I think they knew the human I’m staying with. But I guess the two of them arranged a trip and… here I am.”

“I can't believe this-” Mitch stared at his old friend. “I have so much I need to tell you- wait, you need to meet my other friends too- and try this cake!”

“Yeah, the cake looks amazing-”

It was late by the time you and Mitch got home. Everyone had enjoyed the party- Nem and Jackson had outdone themselves with the cake, the staff had played various games throughout the night, and Mitch had destroyed every challenger opposing him in Smash Bros. The night had ended with Mitch and Hami planning to meet the next day to catch up and maybe revisit their old haunts.

You unlocked the door and stepped inside after Mitch, releasing a tired but satisfied sigh. Mitch yawned, then leaned against your side for a bit. You ran a hand over his head, avoiding his ears out of habit. “You okay, Mitch?”

“Yep,” he murmured. “Thank you. Again. You didn’t have to do all this for me…”

“Yeah, I did,” you sighed dramatically. “The best person in the world deserves the best birthday parties.” You glanced down at him, smiling, then patted him on the back. “Get some rest, raccoon. And happy birthday.”

You watched him pad off to his room, your hands in your pockets, head tilted to the side. Memories from the past four years replaying in your head.

And for some reason, you gave a silent thanks to whatever had brought the two of you together. 

Mitch was sitting on his bed, looking at the envelope he’d found on his pillow. To the Raccoon Boy, the back read. He recognized his roommate’s handwriting. 

He carefully opened the envelope and pulled out the paper inside. He quietly read the words aloud.