birthday boy

[thedreamthief]

It's a quiet night, all things considered. Ronan wouldn't even call it a fucking party so much as more or less a typical night at Hywel, albeit one where they're all miraculously there at the same time. Blue's even stayed, grinning along with Noah as they brought in the birthday pie -- Noah had insisted on a cake but apparently Blue has some friend who makes a mean pecan pie -- and then curling herself up on the couch next to Adam.

They'd turned on the TV but hand't really watching much of it, spending most of the time talking as Ronan nursed a beer or two and Adam tried not to acknowledge the reason behind the whole evening.

Not that they really let him forget it. Especially not Noah.

It's well past midnight when Adam starts to drift. The TV's still on and Noah and Blue are in a heated discussion about the evolution of alternative rock when Ronan reaches over to curl his hand lightly around Adam's wrist.

"Alright, losers, me and birthday boy are heading to bed," he says, the arch of his eyebrow brooking no argument.

Noah looks between the two of them, his grin widening and Blue only rolls her eyes, but neither of them try to stop him. Ronan ignores any further comment from both of them, tipping his head back to finish off his beer before setting the empty bottle on the table and dragging Adam to his feet.

"No argument from you either," he adds, his voice low and for Adam only as he steers him toward the bedroom.

Comments

[incognoscibilis]

Adam nods and closes his eyes, enjoying the way it lets him concentrate on Ronan's fingers, his kisses. "You too," he says. "I'll never want to do something that you can't."

Ronan knows that, he thinks, but they've both been denied the permission to just tell someone no without consequence. Being given and being able to give that, instead, feels like a gift too.

"I love you," he says. "And...I'm happy, Ronan."

[thedreamthief]

Ronan's begun to lose track of the number of times Adam's said those words and still every single instance feels like a revelation. His smile is slow, but immediate, the words like a caress as he leans in again for another kiss, slower this time, deeper, as his hand curls warm over Adam's side and he holds him close.

A year ago, he was only dreaming of this. He hasn't brought this to life no matter what he feared at the start. Adam loves him on his own even if Ronan will never understand how or why. Adam loves him and it's better than any fucking dream he's ever had.

"Me, too," he says, still smiling as he presses on last light kiss to the bow of Adam's lips. "Happy birthday."

[incognoscibilis]

It's the first time that Adam's had a really happy birthday and, as firsts go, he thinks it's pretty great. Adam smiles and bumps his forehead very gently against Ronan's and then kisses him again, just for the joy of being able to. There's a softness in Ronan's face that makes Adam want to keep touching it, to enjoy his happiness too, before the inevitable scowl returns.

"I'm going to sleep like the dead tonight," he says, because he knows his body is exhausted and overwhelmed. "And you're going to wake me up with kisses–if you want."

He smiles. "Thank you."

[thedreamthief]

Adam kisses him again, a soft, lingering touch of lips to lips that has whatever remaining tension in Ronan's shoulder melting away. He keeps his eyes on Adam and Adam settles back, knowing he'll likely not manage sleep for a few more hours, but he can pretend.

"I definitely want," Ronan assures him, his voice low. "Even if it's not much of a surprise if you're expecting it."

That's hardly the point though and they both know it. Ronan leans over one last time, kissing just the corner of Adam's lips and whispering a quiet, "Goodnight."