shiningboxofjustice | (no subject)

It was her darling husband's birthday. How to make it special for him? Leanne planned it ahead of time, speaking with the cooks and chefs to teach her how to make a cake when he was busy with his duties. But now is the day! She wakes up extra early to carefully slip out of bed before Xander wakes up, praying silently he was still tired from the previous night.

After hastily slipping a robe on, she quietly heads out of the bedroom towards the kitchen in order to pick up the cake she made last night. Leanne hurries back to the bedroom and checks to see if Xander is still asleep. If he was, she would quietly set the cake on his night stand and crawl back into bed with him.

If he was awake, she will just close the door behind and smiles at him, holding the cake. "Happy Birthday, Darling."

Most days, Xander was up at the crack of dawn to begin his daily routine. It was just one of the prices he had to pay in order to be king of the realm.

However, when he went to bed last night, he did so with the full knowledge that he would be able to sleep in come morning. His siblings had insisted on giving him the day off, and would assume all of his duties over the course of the day. So, for once, he slept like a rock.

Therefore, Xander didn't stir in the slightest when Leanne woke up and quietly slipped out of bed. And when she came back, he was still sound asleep. He wouldn't wake from Leanne putting the cake on his night stand, nor from her crawling back into bed.

Clearly he needed the extra sleep.

Leanne chuckles as he continues to sleep, moving to cuddle him, draping a wing over him. Poor Xander... He has to be exhausted if he hasn't woken up yet.

She will let him sleep... He has earned his rest. A small hand moves to cradle his head against her bosom as she goes to sing softly to him in an attempt to make his sleep more peaceful and restful. She will be content to watch over him like this and to shoo away any servants who would dare to enter their quarters in order to rose him. She will be patient and wait for him to stir on his own accord.

Sure enough, the song helped to ease Xander's tormented subconscious. Whatever dreams he had been having faded away to nothingness as the deepest recesses of his mind relaxed. For now, there would be no feelings of guilt or inadequacy.

But everyone must wake up sooner or later, and Xander began to stir eventually. He shuffled around a bit, and the first thing he felt was the warmth of Leanne's body. His eyes opened partially, then he blinked a few times as he got his bearings, and realized that he was staring directly into Leanne's nightgown.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting." He could tell that she had been awake. Perhaps he realized, on some level, that she had been singing for him.

She can definitely feel him relaxing more and it made waking up so early all the worth while. When he finally wakes, Leanne giggles and shakes her head, moving in for a kiss.

"Of course not, my love." Her fingers move to pet his hair as she coos. "You deserved the rest and especially today."

She then looks up towards the cake she made and looks back down at him. "I made you something, Darling. It may not be as good as your personal chef but I hope my King enjoys his birthday gift from me."

Xander let out an audible exhale. "Thank you. It's a relief to feel this well rested."

Then he raised his eyebrows. "You made me something? What was it?"

Leanne giggles and leans over to give him a loving kiss on the lips. "This day is going to be all about you, love. Whatever you wish to do we will do it."

She blinks and nods, gesturing towards the cake. "It isn't much but it is a small cake. I hope you like it."

Xander rolled over and turned his head toward his nightstand. There he saw the cake.

"You made that yourself?"

Leanne couldn't help but to puff her chest out with pride.

"Yes, it took me a few attempts but I did make it myself."

Careful, Leanne. Xander secretly has an eye for cleavage.

"Then I look forward to trying it. I'm sure you poured a tremendous amount of love into it."

Oho~? It's probably a good thing she doesn't know yet as she keeps her chest puffed out.

"I am lay. I shall pray it will suit yours tastes."

Not even gonna tell him just how many cakes and how long it took her to make this one just perfect in her mind.

"I made it just for you."

Xander lifted one arm and draped it gently over Leanne's waist. He pulled her in closer, and leaned in to kiss her on the lips.

Once he ended the kiss, he spoke again.

"I consider myself blessed to have you."

She giggles and gives him a coy smile as he pulls her for a kiss. She runs a hand through his hair as she kisses back.

She blushes as she smiles even more at his words, chirping and ears wiggling.

"No, I am the one who is blessed to have your love."

Another kiss.

"Today is all about you. Anything you want to do, just let me know."

"For now, I think I want to lie here with you."

Xander gave Leanne yet another kiss, then touched his forehead to Leanne's.

"...You're so beautiful, even fresh out of bed."

"I can grant you that desire."

She coos and kisses him back, having a peaceful and content look on her face as he rests his forehead against her own.

"My beauty pales to your handsomeness, my love. But especially your eyes. I can always get myself lost in them."

A wing moves to cup him within it as she lets her fingers run through his hair.

"I love you, Darling."

Xander remained unmoving, letting Leanne do as she pleased. His smile never left his face, either.

"And I love you, my angel."

Leanne coos before giving him another kiss, wings glowing as happiness goes through her.

"You should try the cake. But if you like, I can feed it to you while you rest against my breasts."

Xander blushed in reaction, but he didn't seem to back away from Leanne.

"My goodness. Who am I to say no to an offer as generous as that?"

Leanne giggles at the blush and leans to kiss each of his cheeks.

"I am glad you have accepted, I want to spoil my love today."

And with those words she shifts into a more comfortable position, smiling and blushing warmly.

"I am read for you, Darling."

"Far be it from me to deny you what you want."

Xander sat up for a moment so that he could position himself better onto the bed. Once he was set, he lied back down, this time gently against his wife.

"But today is a day for your desires as well."

Leanne waits until he was comfortable against her and goes to carefully use the tip of her nails to lightly scratch his head and comb his hair. After a few moments she reaches over to grab the cake, breaking a piece off and then holding it near his mouth.

"Please let me know if it is to your standards."

Obediently, Xander opened his mouth and allowed Leanne to stick the fork, with its piece of cake, into his mouth. He spent a moment chewing, then swallowed.

"If the first bite is anything to go by, this will be the best breakfast I ever had."

Okay, you can open your eyes... now!

[In front of them, Makoto has prepared a feast fit for a king— fried chicken, potato salad, broiled fish, pasta, vegetables, rice, you name it.]

I'm not good at buying presents, but I'm okay at cooking.

[Behind the mountain of food, he might be able to see a chocolate cake decorated with sugared flowers and a candle.]

I hope you like it.

[Athrun had expected something when Makoto told him to close his eyes when he first got to her apartment. He hadn't known what to expect, so he just went with the flow.

Then he opens his eyes when told to...and they go wide.]

What -- wait, you did all of this?

[That was more than he would have ever asked of her.]

Did you think I would forget?

[Chuckling slightly, Cherche crosses to Xander's side, reaching up to kiss his cheek.]

It is not quite the surprise party I had imagined considering there is no furniture here big enough for Minerva to hide behind, but it should still be alright with only two partygoers.

[On cue, a wyvern shrieks outside.]

She is a bit disappointed, but she sends her wishes either way.

[Clasping her hands and pursing her lips, she moves to the center of the room where two tables have been set up— one with food and another with a few decorated boxes. There are also two paper birthday hats atop each plate and a few simple paper decorations along one of the chairs.]

I must admit that I have a bit of a soft spot for birthday parties. Even if they might not be fitting for a prince,

I didn't think so, but...well, I also didn't expect this. You've gone well above and beyond for me here.

[Xander walks over to the table where the food is. He knows it will be good, as he knows how good Cherche's cooking is.]

It smells delightful. You've outdone yourself, love.

[Maybe I could ask you to get something started for these two? I'll roll with anything.]

[With how busy Xander is on a day-to-day basis, the best birthday gift anyone could give him is a day of relaxation. That's just what Mikasa and Xander's siblings have all done. Today, Xander has the day off from his obligations.

At the moment, Xander and Mikasa are in his personal quarters, not doing anything in particular. Xander, though, has an idea.]

Would you mind doing me a favor, love? My shoulders have been bothering me for most of the day. Would it be all right with you to perhaps work on them for a bit?

[He blushes just a bit as he says this. He's looking for a massage to relieve the soreness.]

[A day of relaxation and peaceful life without any of that busy running around is always great. It's also something that Mikasa misses a lot these days when their lives are busier and busier, but that just means she appreciates days like this even more between everything else. And as wonderful as his siblings are, being alone with Xander is still her favorite time of any day. Doing nothing much? A lot better than being alone or in some huge crowd of people when she has poor social skills.

Mikasa looks at Xander as soon as he speaks.]

Anything for you whenever you want, love. [Literally.] So of course and it doesn't even need to be only for a bit.

[Besides if she had had a plan for the day? A massage would have been a part of it but Mikasa doesn't really plan ahead, she mostly plays along. ...And while his blush looks cute, her face looks way too serious but that is her usual look that will possibly relax more or less now when they are alone.]

[Xander smiles. A full massage would be pretty wonderful, but he won't ask that right away.]

Thank you for this.

[He then gazes downward. Right now, he's wearing the shirt he typically wears under his riding outfit and everyday coat.]

Perhaps I should remove my shirt? You might find it easier to work with it not in the way.

[Maybe he won't even need to ask when he is most likely going to get that and anything else he wants anyway.]

Anytime.

[She looks at him too and nods at him taking shirt away and it being easier without that as she moves closer to him.]

Or maybe you should just relax and let me take care of that too for you before I start. [Saying that while her hands are already moving towards taking it away.]

I--

[He's not given the opportunity to say even a word before Mikasa is halfway unbuttoning his shirt. So much for that.]

...I suppose you wish to be thorough.

[He's kidding with that. Probably. It's hard to tell, and he seldom says anything in jest.

But he'll remain still as Mikasa removes his shirt, exposing his muscular chest and a few scars at points on his body.]

[Sona smiles to herself as she sneaks out of bed on the crack of dawn, just before Xander gets a chance to wake up. Her etwahl floats up as she approaches, she gives a quick check to make sure the tuning is correct and the strings are still good.

She knows better than to wake Xander up, but she starts to play a soft tune to "happy birthday" that is enough to stir him awake.]

[Xander had slept like a rock. They'd had an opportunity to go to bed a little bit earlier than they usually did, so Xander's body took that as a sign to start working on his sleep deficit.

Nevertheless, as Sona begins to play, Xander's mind slowly and groggily emerges from the depths of slumber. One of his arms moves, and his eyelids squeeze for a moment before they creep open.]

Hmm?

[He then registers the music that reaches his ears. In response, he props himself up.]

...Sona? Is that what it sounds like...?

You always prefer a quiet birthday, but-

[Siegbert leads Xander to his father's study. Not a single trace of paperwork is on the desk, as a few certain siblings of Xander's took off with them to prevent their eldest brother from working on his birthday. They gave Siegbert a chance to place his present within, which he motions to a new artwork on the wall.]

I still wished to give you a present.

[It's a painting of a sunrise among an open field near Nohr's borders. While Nohr has always been a land of night, the sun opening up it's light on the land adds a bit of wonder for those who caught eye of the sight. It was clearly set during the autumn time, most likely a painting that took a few months to create.

The piece is untitled, but a small signature of an artist in the corner shows who created the piece. It took time and patience, but Siegbert is happy enough with it to present to his father.]

I must confess that I did sneak out several nights to go capture this scene and I will accept any punishment as you see fit, but... A gift created is more precious than a gift bought. It is also more deserving for not only a king, but for a dear father.

[He smiles at Xander, to check his father's reaction.]

Happy birthday, Father.

[Without asking any questions, Xander followed Siegbert to his own study, wondering what it was his son wanted to show him. When he enters, he's surprised by...well, a few things.

He notices that his desk is cleared off. Hopefully whoever did that kept all of the stuff, because he had some stuff in there he wants to hold on to.

But that gets immediately pushed to the back of his mind. Xander stares in awe at the painting sitting on his desk, his mouth open slightly, eyes wide.]

That -- you...

[Not often is Xander at a loss for words. He has to swallow before he can get what he wants to say out.]

You painted this yourself?

[He steps up to his desk and rests his fingers along the edges of the frame.]

Siegbert, this is beautiful.

[Belatedly Happy Birthday but she is here for that day or anything else, finally.]

[If there's one advantage to having work ethic like Athrun's, it's the fact that he always has vacation days to spare. It makes things like a birthday getaway much easier to work. And, as a result, Athrun and Weiss have gone on a trip out to the countryside.

They rented a cabin on the outskirts of a small town with plenty of fall activities to partake in. The town is renowned for its fall farmers' market and the local vineyard. However, the sun had already started to set by the time they arrived, so they stayed in the cabin aside from ordering a dinner delivery from a local pizzeria.

At this point, night has fallen, and the two have built a bonfire in the backyard. Athrun has pulled out a bag of marshmallows, and after helping Weiss put one on a stick, they have them getting warmed up by the fire.]

I'm already enjoying this trip. I've never been out to the countryside like this before.

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For Xander

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For Athrun

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For Xander

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Xander

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for the prince who somehow got a horse on the castle roof

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for dad

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