Art was trying hard to push the nagging thought out of his mind, focusing on the TV in front of him. After years of getting teased by you, Tashi, and Patrick for pouting when he didn’t get a midnight birthday text, he promised himself he wouldn’t make a big deal out of it in the group chat this time.

But now, as he glanced at his phone for the umpteenth time, waiting for a “Happy birthday, Art!!” to light up the screen, he started to regret that decision. Was it really so much to ask for?

He’d hoped you’d at least be awake to wish him in person. But when he got home, you were already asleep. He couldn’t blame you—you’d been up early hanging out with Tashi, and you’d warned him you might be back late. Even so, part of him wished for one of those cheesy, romantic gestures, like you kissing him 24 times the second the clock struck midnight.

Now he sat in the quiet living room, fighting the pout threatening to form on his face. Then he heard soft footsteps behind him, followed by the sweet smell of frosting and the flicker of a candle’s flame. He smiled to himself, catching onto the fact that you were trying to surprise him.