Work Text:
Farah awoke to the feeling of Alex’s hand rubbing circles into her back. She kept her eyes closed for a minute, relishing in his soft touch. Eventually she opened her eyes to him watching her, waiting for her to wake up.
“Good morning my love” He whispered with a soft smile on his lips.
“Good morning,” She replied, returning the smile. “What time is it?”
“6:04”
“I’m running late” Farah broke free from Alex’s grasp, pulling back the covers and getting out of the bed. She turned to the closet when she was hit with a pillow that Alex had thrown at her.
“Come back” Alex begged.
“I’m sorry love, but I’m running late as it is” Alex mumbled something she couldn’t quite hear, probably some protest about things not disappearing in an hour. But she had a routine and she stuck to it.
Even on her birthday.
Farah never really liked celebrating her birthday. There wasn’t any reason besides it got in the way of work. She had a routine and she stuck to it. She always silently celebrated though, a small mental congratulations to herself for making it another year.
She finished getting ready, double checking that her hair was pulled back and out of the way. She walked over to the side of the bed where Alex was still laying and planted a kiss on his forehead.
“Are you sure you can’t stay, just for a little bit?” Alex pleaded. The look in his eyes almost made her give up and climb back into bed, but she had work to do.
“Yes love I’m sure. I’ll see you later though” She ran her fingers through his hair, before pulling her hand down to his cheek to hold his face as she kissed him. She pulled away, turning to leave once again.
“I love you Farah” Alex called after her.
“I love you too Alex”
-
Farah sat at her desk in silence, seeming to have a stare-down with the papers in front of her. There was a lot of information, mostly things she was already aware of, but she still had to go through each report in case something new came up. The quiet of the room was broken by a soft knock at the door.
“Yes?” Farah questioned, not bothering to turn around.
“I have something for you” Farah turned around to Alex standing in the doorway, a plate in his hand. Farah watched as he crossed the room.
“I hope you didn’t think I forgot, I just wanted to surprise you” As Alex got closer, Farah could see what was on the plate; a vanilla cupcake with white icing and rainbow sprinkles, with a green candle sticking out of the middle.
“Oh Alex, you didn’t have to-“
“Of course I had to! It's your birthday, and of course I’m gonna celebrate you” He set the plate down on the desk and then leaned down to kiss Farah.
“Ok, let me light the candle, you have to make a wish” Farah watched as he searched for a lighter, coming up empty after checking his pockets.
“Shit, I forgot my lighter! I’ll be right back, don’t go anywhere!” Alex trailed off as he left the room, Farah watching him leave. When he was out of sight she turned back to the cupcake.
Farah couldn’t remember the last time she outwardly celebrated her birthday, let alone the last time someone celebrated with her. When Alex had asked her birthday, she had been hesitant to answer. He had asked her around February, when things had finally calmed down a bit and they had the chance to talk. It had been pretty early in the morning, the two sitting in the kitchen, both sipping cups of coffee. Farah had finally remembered how Alex liked his coffee, surprising him with a perfectly made cup when he walked in the room.
-
“By the way, when is your birthday?” Farah paused. Alex noticed.
“You don’t have t-“
“January 25th.” She replied.
“I missed it?”
“Everyone was very busy. It's not something I really celebrate anyways. No specific reason, just interrupts work.”
“But it’s your day, and I can think of a million reasons that you should be celebrated.” Alex took a sip of his coffee. “I’ll get it next year”
-
Farah, lost in a memory, didn’t notice the tear rolling down her cheek. She also didn’t notice Alex re-enter the room.
“Is everything ok? I didn’t make you cry did I? I’m sorry!” Alex rushed to her side, cupping her face in his hand and wiping her tears away. Farah looked up at him with a reassuring smile.
“No, no, it’s ok, I’m ok.” Farah pulled him in for a kiss, holding him there for a moment before she broke the kiss and rested her forehead against his.
“I just love you so much,” She said.
Alex pulled slightly away from her, tears now welling up in his eyes.
“I love you too, Farah.” Alex leaned in to kiss her once more, before pulling away and turning back to her desk.
“Ok but you still have to make your wish” He said. Farah laughed.
“Ok. Light it” Alex lit the candle before sliding it in front of Farah. Farah paused for a moment before blowing out the candle.
“What did you wish for?”
“Well I can’t tell you, that would ruin it!” Farah joked.
Her wish wasn’t all that grand. But she wanted it to come true.
She wished that Alex would be there for the rest of her birthdays, and that she could be there for his, too.