“this is over the top.”

cain’s words were a grumble as you led him to the small clearing where you’d set up a picnic.

it was july 31st. his birthday.

he hated it, to be honest. before he had come to camp half blood his birthdays had been incredibly publicized. his father had used the date as an excuse to plan grand events to get more publicity and connections (as if being an olympic runner didn’t give him enough attention already).

he’d vowed to never celebrate it publicly now that he wasn’t living with his father. it was just another day.

you had found out what day it was and had decided to drag the head of nike cabin out the moment the clock struck midnight.

his gaze passed around the moonlit clearing, taking in the food already laid out and the small cake with a badly written happy birthday on it. you weren’t quite sure if he was upset or not. his onyx eyes were as unreadable as ever, and a frown pulled at his lips.

yet after a few long moments where his gaze passed around as though waiting for a crowd to jump out, he inclined his head.

“..thank you.”