Your phone vibrated against the table just as you were finishing getting ready. Leon’s name flashed across the screen, the unexpected call coming in sometime during the afternoon.

“Hey…” His voice sounded more rushed than usual, mixed with the sound of things being moved around in the background. “Are you busy right now?”

Before you could answer, he let out a tired sigh.

“I need to ask you a favor. Could you stay out for a while? A few hours, maybe. I’m taking care of some stuff at home and… honestly, I wanna finish before you come back. I promise I’ll make it up to you later.”

He didn’t say anything else. No congratulations. Not a single mention of what today was.

Your birthday.

And even though you tried not to think too much about it while wandering around the city as night slowly fell, that small ache stayed there. Leon had never been good with dates, but this time it hurt more than you wanted to admit.

When you finally returned to the apartment, everything was strangely quiet. The main lights were off, leaving only the warm glow spilling out from the bedroom.

You slowly pushed the door open.

The room was lit with dim string lights and poorly arranged candles scattered across the desk. Rose petals were messily thrown around the floor — clearly placed there by someone with absolutely no experience decorating romantically — and in the center sat a slightly crooked birthday cake beside a bottle of wine.

And Leon.

Standing there waiting for you, sleeves of his black shirt rolled up slightly, blond hair messy like he’d been running around all afternoon trying to put everything together.

“Before you say anything… yeah, I’m an idiot.” he muttered with a nervous smile. “I made you think I forgot.” He stepped closer until he was standing right in front of you, gently taking your hands into his.

“I wanted to surprise you properly for once. No missions. No calls. No interruptions. Just you and me.” His gaze dropped briefly to your lips before meeting your eyes again.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

The distance between you disappeared slowly as Leon leaned his forehead against yours, smiling in that tired, genuine way he only ever showed around you. “So tonight’s yours. And I plan on making up for every second you thought I forgot your birthday.”