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[forthebothofus]

So.

Does age still matter if you're technically dead? I know I'm alive now and all but... just wondering what happens with the count.

[Guess who's birthday it is.]

Twenty-seven. I never got that far. Is it cheating to count it now?

Comments

[forthebothofus]

[There's a long pause from Abeni. When she speaks again, it's quiet, more talking to herself than to him.]

You are such a good guy...

[She still doesn't know how she ended up with someone like him.]

[helluvachin]

You deserve to have something nice.

[And he's determined to give it to her.]

[forthebothofus]

...Hide whatever you're working on. I need to see you for a second.

[helluvachin]

Alright.

[That's not too hard seeing how he only just got started.]

I'm by the forge.

[forthebothofus]

[Oh good, she's not far away at all.]

'kay.

[A minute or two later, she's there. Abeni slows her pace a fraction at the sight of him, but she doesn't stop. When she's close enough, Abeni slips her arms around his waist and hugs him tight.]

[helluvachin]

[Well he's certainly not going to complain about this. Zachariah puts his arms around her and hugs her back just as tight.]

Guess I did something right.

[Zachariah always knew he never had to give her anything. She's not that kind of woman to want things from him, but he just wants to do something special for her this day. Abeni might not think her birthday is a big deal, but he does.]

[forthebothofus]

[She smiles at that, but doesn't let him go. Abeni tilts her head to look up at him.]

You know, if you really want to make this day special, you could kiss me...

[Abeni? Taking advantage of things? Of course not.]

[helluvachin]

[Zachariah smiles as he meets her gaze.]

Well I never been one to half-ass things.

[He leans in, pressing his lips to hers and gives her a deep, lingering kiss. With a bit of reluctance he pulls away, because there's something he wants to say.]

I love you.

[forthebothofus]

[That kiss right there would be exactly what she was after.]

I love you too.

[She pulls him down for another kiss, just as deep and lingering as the last before slowly backing off and uncoiling her arms from around him.]

...And I want more of that later.

[helluvachin]

[There isn't going to be a time where he won't love hearing her say that. It's rather rewarding coming from her.

Zachariah eagerly returns her kiss, making a happy sound in his throat as he does. When she pulls away he almost doesn't want to let her go.]

Anything for the birthday girl.

[forthebothofus]

Careful. I might start paying attention to birthdays if this is what the perks are like.

[She smiles at him and starts to walk away. Abeni could definitely stand for more of what just happened, but they've got time and he's got work and she's got fish to catch.]

I'm going fishing so... see you later.

[helluvachin]

By the Saints anything but that.

[He smiles back at her as she walks away.]

Have fun. I'll see you when I'm done.

[With that he darts back into the forge and immediately gets to work. While he may not have any steel he smelts down one of his earlier creations. This is important enough for him to do so. The rest of his time is spent creating a replica of her old necklace with her name engraved on it.]

[forthebothofus]

[Hours later, Abeni returns to lean in the doorway.]

Hey, guess what?

[She's the image of smug as she holds up not one, but two decent sized fish. Thankfully, neither of them are green.]

[helluvachin]

[Zachariah doesn't immediately look up when she enters as he's adding the finishing touches to her gift. Once he's satisfied he looks up and smiles at Abeni.]

Well, with a catch like that I guess you don't need my present after all.

[He picks up the necklace and hides it behind his back.]

[forthebothofus]

Oh yeah? Guess I'm gonna have a hard time eating all of this by myself then.

[He's got her curious with this whole gift thing. Abeni's... never really had a gift to be excited over before.]

[helluvachin]

Hey, no need to be like that. Sharing is caring you know.

[He walks up to her, still holding the necklace behind his back.]

Close your eyes for a second.

[forthebothofus]

[Abeni looks up at him, curious as to what he's up to.]

O...kay.

[She shuts her eyes and... wonders what the heck he's up to.]

[helluvachin]

[Zachariah looks back at her, nearly bristling with excitement. Once her eyes close Zachariah clasps the necklace around her neck and kisses her forehead.]

Alright, open them.

[Here's hoping she likes it.]

[forthebothofus]

[She opens her eyes and looks down at the necklace. Abeni's mouth drops open.]

Whoa... that's...

[Picking it up, Abeni gives the necklace a closer inspection before looking up at Zachariah.]

You made this just now?

[Hot damn she is impressed. Abeni smiles at him.]

[helluvachin]

Yeah, I'm getting kind of good at this metal working stuff.

[He scratches the back of his neck and a small blush lights up his face. It's been awhile since he blushed like that in front of her.]

So...you like it?

[forthebothofus]

[And it's adorable. Abeni snakes an arm around his neck and pulls him down for a kiss. She's definitely in a good mood now.]

I love it.

[He could give her a piece of straw and she'd love it, but this here has so much importance to it that it makes it even more special. Not for the first time, Abeni wonders how she ended up with someone so amazing.]

[helluvachin]

[He kisses her back, feeling a little proud of himself for making her so happy. Her birthdays might not be something special to her but as long as he's with her he'll always try to make them special.]

Good. Happy birthday hun.

[Things are finally feeling like they're falling into place. He's stopped feeling so confused about their relationship. For years she's been his other half in everything. It only makes sense that they became a couple too.]