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It had been a long day for Uki. No matter how much he loved his friends, they still drained his social battery. That's the life of an introvert for you. He had spent all day with the rest of Noctyx and a few other friends. The small presents, taking him out to dinner, the little activities they did all day that wouldn't make him too overwhelmed. He took off his shoes and headed up to his room, a hungry Ukinya rubbing against his ankles. He quickly feeds the “vicious” creature before laying in bed. He could hear Alban and Sonny talking downstairs. They were muffled from the floor in between them. Uki had a feeling the talking was gonna turn into something else and the fact that they suddenly got quiet proved to Uki he was probably correct. What he didn't expect was Alban to be knocking on his bedroom door a few minutes later.
Uki got up and opened it. Alban was a little disheveled and the start of a kissing bruise was on his neck. So he had been right, but why was he up here now?
“Someone dropped this off for you. Said they were in a hurry.” Alban handed over a package. He had a mix of bittersweet and the look you have when you know what present someone just got on his face before heading back downstairs. Uki took the package to his bed and examined it. He couldn't find anything indicating who it was from before he opened it. He dug through some tissue paper before finding what was at the bottom. Uki just stared. A word tried to leave his mouth but all that came out was a breathy “Fu”.
Uki picked up the photo album and skimmed over the pages. The pictures started just before debut. There were even ones with a certain DJ still in them. Uki kept flipping, watching as years of his life went by. Then, he reached the beginning of their fourth year together. There were pictures of cupcakes, the massive amount of bolognese he had made, the immediate headshot from someone with pink headphones, and even the grabber claw holding a decorated cupcake.
Uki flipped the page and just stared. The photo was taken from a doorframe, a little of it still in the photo. The person taking it didn't hide very well but somehow still got it without Uki's knowledge. Uki traced over the content face he made while kissing the man in the photo. He understood the bittersweet look Alban had now.
Uki closed the album and picked up the letter that accompanied it. He opened it, a soft whiff of the sender's cologne radiated off the paper. He read over the soft words meant for his eyes only. Ones of longing and loving and wishing Uki the best of birthdays. Words that he's so used to hearing in person but will take in any form he can get. He smiles, his hand brushing the ring tied around his neck. His half of a pair.
Uki puts the gift on his desk and lays in bed, smiling. He pulls out his phone and sends a quick text to someone who's profile is a butterfly. He watches as it sends and turns to read. He watches as the little typing bubble appears, waiting patiently. The soft little ding of the message arriving. He reads it before putting his phone down, tears in his eyes but a smile on his face.
“I love you, too, My Starlight. Happy Birthday ♡.”