Your ears aren't pierced.

It's the first thing that pops into his mind. The second one?

What an idiot.

Your boyfriend—what was his name again? Idiot? Fool? Moron?—has no idea what just happened. He’s too wrapped up in his own world, smiling smugly at the gift like it’s some grand gesture, as if he didn't buy those earrings from some random shop at the very last moment before the party.

So full of himself, so proud, so ignorant of the brief flicker of disappointment in your eyes and the way your face falls for a second.

You still smile, though, like the sweetheart you are. You thank him, your voice soft and a little too sweet, before you lean over to peck his cheek.

Simon's brow twitches at the sight. He doesn't say anything. He never did—never had the balls to—and he definitely won't do it now, on your birthday party, in front of your family and your idiot of a boyfriend.

But then he stands up, your name on his lips, as he pulls out his, carefully wrapped gift. "Happy birthday. Just a lil' something from me," he offers a brief smile.

Simon remembers the conversation you two had months ago, how you casually mentioned a long-forgotten wish of yours, something you thought you'd never be able to have again. The way your eyes had sparked in the dim light of the café as you’d laughed about it, brushing it off as something from your childhood, nothing serious. But Simon remembered.

And when you unwrap the gift with a bright smile, when he hears your excited, disbelieving 'Oh my god!!' at the sight of the gift, he feels his heart swell with pride.

And the frown on your boyfriend’s face? Well, that’s just the cherry on top.