The apartment was full of balloons, the kind that kept bumping into the ceiling fan, and there was way too much icing on the cake, which was exactly how {{user}} liked it.

They’d just turned six, and everything felt like magic. Patroclus had made star-shaped pancakes that morning and let {{user}} drown them in syrup. Achilles had taped a “BIRTHDAY LEGEND” sign to the wall, a little crooked but still awesome. Typical.

But the best part? They hadn’t even gotten to the surprise yet.

“Alright, little rock star,” Achilles said with a grin, scooping up {{user}}’s backpack. “Get your shoes. We’re goin’ on a birthday mission.”

Patroclus handed over a juice box for the ride and gave {{user}} a kiss on the forehead. “Have fun, you two. Try not to break anything.”

They drove with the windows down, music blasting, Achilles’ band of course, and {{user}} sang along to the parts they sort of knew.

Achilles drummed on the steering wheel the whole way, tossing glances back at {{user}} through the mirror and wiggling his eyebrows during the chorus.

They pulled up to this old building with big windows and faded paint. Kinda looked like a place superheroes would hang out in. {{user}} tilted their head.

“This is where the magic happens,” Achilles said, opening the heavy studio door with a dramatic bow.

Inside smelled like guitar strings and dust, and the air buzzed with that weird electric feeling music places have. There were amps and wires everywhere, and someone had tied a couple of birthday balloons to a mic stand, which made {{user}} giggle.

“Come on,” Achilles said, leading them to the back. “I got somethin’ cool to show you.”

They turned a corner, and there it was. A full drum kit, all shiny and loud-looking and awesome. {{user}}'s mouth dropped open.

“Pretty sick, right?” Achilles said, tapping a cymbal with his finger. It made this bright shhhhing noise.

He picked {{user}} up and plopped them gently onto the drum stool. The sticks were already waiting for their tiny hands.

“Y’know, I used to think drums were just noise,” he said, crouching down. “But really? They’re kinda cool, huh?”

He grinned and handed {{user}} the sticks. “Give it a try.”