Archive of Our Own ^beta

A birthday is the anniversary of the day a person was born, and it's often celebrated with parties, gifts, and cake. It marks the annual celebration of that birth date and is seen as a way to honor and show affection for an individual, though celebrations vary widely across cultures. The tradition has historical roots, with ancient civilizations like the Egyptians holding elaborate celebrations for pharaohs to signify their divine status. In a nutshell, birthdays hold a meaning and a very special place in each individual's heart, cause it's not only an evidence that we are still alive till this day, it is also an album full of memories throughout the past years with your loved ones and even more memories will be made this year as well. A chance to embrace the ones dearest to you and receive their blessings is what make this celebration more meaningful than anyone else.

Unfortunately, Ace Trappola is not one of them. In fact, he despises his birthday the most. At first, he, just like anyone else was very excited when it comes to birthday, he will remember every of his love ones birthday and make it as memorable as possible. Even his parents who rarely cracked a smile or looked his way will always can't help but feel very happy whenever he plans a surprise for them on his birthday, yet the day where he gave up on believing the power of birthdays is the day where he has turned 9...

7 years ago, Ace woke up feeling as fresh as a daisy as he quickly get dress and rushed out of his room, though not before sparing a glance at his calender where a small red circle was drawn on the 23rd of September, a small yet powerful reminder that it is his birthday. He was very excited as he cannot wait to see what surprise his parents and his brother has planned for his birthday, he has been very excited the entire week, always constantly hinting his parents that his birthday is coming soon when they are at the dinner table and also constantly hinted it to his brother when they were having a call together. But what he saw on that day is not a party full with balloons, a cake and a stack of presents, but an empty table that only has a note written in his mother's elegant handwriting 'Sorry, my dear. But we will be away on a trip to visit your brother in his school for a few days to celebrate his win in a spelldrive tournament. The money is on the table and make sure to spend it wisely. Love, MOM XOXO.' All of a sudden, Ace felt a sense of endless rage rushing through his veins which soon followed by a pang of sadness and hurt in his hear. He knows that his brother is the golden child of the family, after all he has amazing grades, excellent athletic skills and many more talents while Ace is just...Ace, the mischievous and cunning child who always find a way to get whatever he wants.

But, it still hurts. Years of him constantly being shadowed by his brother's success and endless comparison by his parents is something he never really mind, but to miss and more likely even forgotten his birthday after all those times where he will secretly make sure to get whatever they want on their birthday, making it as memorable as possible. As the room slowly being embrace by the warm sun and light fills the room, Ace just sat on the empty table with a empty heart. He's done trying to get his parents recognition, done acting like he's okay with everything, done trying to make their birthday the most memorable as possible. After all, where are they when it is finally his turn, where are they when it is time for him to receive a memorable day just like he did to them. That's the day he stopped caring anymore, the day he stopped planning a surprise for his parents' birthday to make it a memorable memory, and it is also the day he stopped believing that birthdays are meant to be fun and unforgettable cause he was abandoned by the people he loves the most. He is tired and exhausted of chasing after a dream that will never be fulfilled.

Now, he has officially turned 16 and has successfully enrolled in Night Raven College, which is also the school his brother used to go to. He must admit that it was the happiest he has ever been despite all those constant overblots, cause he has a group of friends who will stick with him through thick and thin, seniors who will lend him a hand when things get tough and professors that will guide them towards the light. But as his birthday is coming nearer, memories of that day kept replaying and flashing in front of his eyes and he started dreading it. After all, what can he offer to them, he doesn't have any good qualities and has been nothing but trouble for the entire school year, so why would anyone even bother celebrating his birthday, hell he would be very happy if they even remembered it which he doubts that as they have much more important things to worry about. But deep down, he hoped that someone will celebrate his birthday for him, maybe just buying him a small present is enough to fill up the empty void in his heart.

After weeks flew by, his birthday came at the blink of an eye with a very friendly embrace, not for Ace though. It was a weekend and he was heading to Ramshakle to study with his group of friends (although they will not even get any useful information in their head as it always turn into a gossip group at the end of the day). The moment he pushed open the door, expecting to find them sitting on the table going through their study materials for the day, instead he was greeted by confetti popping all of a sudden and a 'Happy Birthday' coming from his friends. He stared in shocked as he saw a small party has been set up for him, a lovely banner covered in hearts, a cake full with other amazing pastries (all of which is his favourite) and a small stack of presents at the side of the table, the interior looks absolutely amazing. "You guys, what is all this?" questioned Ace as he walked around the room with awe in his eyes. "Well, since it's your birthday, your boyfriend over here decided that we should planned you a surprise party," Yuu explained while Deuce's face turned pink out of embarrassment. "It's not like that, I just remember that you have told me before you never celebrated your birthday properly as it was constantly forgotten by your parents so I thought of this idea to give you an unforgettable birthday," said Deuce. Ace felt a sense of happiness as he can't believe that Deuce actually remembers what he said, what a wonderful boyfriend he has. "Well what are we waiting for, let's get the party starting," Epel's voice pierced through the silence as everyone make their way to the table. Suddenly, Deuce pulled out his hand and interwined it with Ace, guiding him to the middle of the table where the cake stands. "Let's go, Ace." those words are all Ace needs to follow Deuce, leaving those memories behind.

With arms circling his hips and his back leaning against a firm chest that provides him unlimited warmth and safety, Ace rethinks about what had happened in the past and what had happened just now. Ones are the one who gave him life, while the others are the ones who have been with him through thick and thin, yet why are they treating him so differently. That was the moment where he realizes that although blood is thicker than water, sometimes it is not always true as the closest with us might just be the one who will remembers everything, including his birthday. With a content heart and a smile, Ace slept very soundly while thinking...

'Maybe birthdays aren't as bad as I thought after all, maybe it's something even worth celebrating.'

~End of Story~