Challenge [299]: Birthday Cheer
Challenge: [299] Birthday
Title: Birthday Cheer
Word Count:646
Notes: Set just prior to KHI. It’s been ages since I wrote about Yuffie and Squall interacting, but given the prompt, I just had to. And as random trivia, this was also partly inspired by a true story.
When Yuffie plonked herself opposite him at the breakfast table on that particular August morning, Leon just knew that she was up to something.
Which wasn’t saying much, of course. This was Yuffie. She was always up to something.
But right then, judging by the way she was watching him so calmly, leaning forward on her elbows, he could tell immediately that something was amiss and decided to just cut right to the chase.
“What.” It wasn’t a question. It was barely even a statement- more a demand. Yuffie seemed to realise this, if the way that she answered him straight off was anything to go by.
“I just wanted you to know that I’m not going to bombard you with reminders about what today is.” She said bluntly, resting her chin in one hand as she gestured around the room with the other. “I’m not going to insist on decorations all over the place. That’s Aerith’s job.”
Leon gave the barest of nods to concede this. As great a job as Aerith had done brightening up the kitchen of the hotel with balloons and streamers of all colours, he would rather she hadn’t.
“And I won’t be dragging you out later for birthday drinks. That’s all Cid’s.”
Of course it was all Cid’s. It was always all Cid’s, just as most of the alcohol behind the bar ended up being all Cid’s in exchange for a month’s takings at the shop and the chance to wake up the next morning and find himself on a rooftop in one of the furthest Districts with little to no recollection of how he’d got there.
“So, basically, I’m just gonna treat today as though it was any other day.” Yuffie finished up, shrugging. Leon raised an eyebrow. Nine years of living with Yuffie had done more for his scepticism than anything else ever could. This was too easy by far.
Sure enough, she continued. “But I didn’t want you to think I’d entirely forgotten, OK? So that’s why I’ll be wearing this.” She shifted suddenly, tapping the top of her arm to draw his attention.
It worked. He caught sight of it. Stopped. Gave the barest of blinks. And then finally gave in and said, “Yuffie. That’s a black armband.”
“Exactly!” She nodded, eyes never leaving him as her brow creased in apparent concern.
Leon took a deep breath and fought the urge to bring a hand to his face. He’d sustained far too many bruises that way over the years he’d known her. Instead, he pointed out calmly, “Yuffie, that’s a sign of mourning.”
“Naturally!” She made it sound like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Why, what with this being the big two-five and all, I figured someone had to mark the tragic passing of the years-“
“Yuffie.”
“- and how time has withered your once youthful looks-” she continued blithely.
“Yuffie.” He could feel his left eye twitch.
“- not that I’d remember what you looked like then or even if you were ever youthful, you’ve always been pretty ancient to me-”
Leon was fast out of his seat, but Yuffie was faster, employing all the fantastic skills of the World’s Greatest Ninja that she claimed to be to make a speedy exit out of the half open window at the far end of the room. By the time he’d made it there, flinging the window open fully and leaning out on the sill, she was already out of sight.
Still, that just made it more of a challenge. And it certainly beat sitting around all day, remembering other birthdays spent far away in a home it seemed he’d never see again.
He was pretty certain he could hear her across the square, laughing from one of the rooftops. Heaving a deep sigh and almost smiling, he grabbed his gunblade and left.
Title: Birthday Cheer
Word Count:646
Notes: Set just prior to KHI. It’s been ages since I wrote about Yuffie and Squall interacting, but given the prompt, I just had to. And as random trivia, this was also partly inspired by a true story.
When Yuffie plonked herself opposite him at the breakfast table on that particular August morning, Leon just knew that she was up to something.
Which wasn’t saying much, of course. This was Yuffie. She was always up to something.
But right then, judging by the way she was watching him so calmly, leaning forward on her elbows, he could tell immediately that something was amiss and decided to just cut right to the chase.
“What.” It wasn’t a question. It was barely even a statement- more a demand. Yuffie seemed to realise this, if the way that she answered him straight off was anything to go by.
“I just wanted you to know that I’m not going to bombard you with reminders about what today is.” She said bluntly, resting her chin in one hand as she gestured around the room with the other. “I’m not going to insist on decorations all over the place. That’s Aerith’s job.”
Leon gave the barest of nods to concede this. As great a job as Aerith had done brightening up the kitchen of the hotel with balloons and streamers of all colours, he would rather she hadn’t.
“And I won’t be dragging you out later for birthday drinks. That’s all Cid’s.”
Of course it was all Cid’s. It was always all Cid’s, just as most of the alcohol behind the bar ended up being all Cid’s in exchange for a month’s takings at the shop and the chance to wake up the next morning and find himself on a rooftop in one of the furthest Districts with little to no recollection of how he’d got there.
“So, basically, I’m just gonna treat today as though it was any other day.” Yuffie finished up, shrugging. Leon raised an eyebrow. Nine years of living with Yuffie had done more for his scepticism than anything else ever could. This was too easy by far.
Sure enough, she continued. “But I didn’t want you to think I’d entirely forgotten, OK? So that’s why I’ll be wearing this.” She shifted suddenly, tapping the top of her arm to draw his attention.
It worked. He caught sight of it. Stopped. Gave the barest of blinks. And then finally gave in and said, “Yuffie. That’s a black armband.”
“Exactly!” She nodded, eyes never leaving him as her brow creased in apparent concern.
Leon took a deep breath and fought the urge to bring a hand to his face. He’d sustained far too many bruises that way over the years he’d known her. Instead, he pointed out calmly, “Yuffie, that’s a sign of mourning.”
“Naturally!” She made it sound like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Why, what with this being the big two-five and all, I figured someone had to mark the tragic passing of the years-“
“Yuffie.”
“- and how time has withered your once youthful looks-” she continued blithely.
“Yuffie.” He could feel his left eye twitch.
“- not that I’d remember what you looked like then or even if you were ever youthful, you’ve always been pretty ancient to me-”
Leon was fast out of his seat, but Yuffie was faster, employing all the fantastic skills of the World’s Greatest Ninja that she claimed to be to make a speedy exit out of the half open window at the far end of the room. By the time he’d made it there, flinging the window open fully and leaning out on the sill, she was already out of sight.
Still, that just made it more of a challenge. And it certainly beat sitting around all day, remembering other birthdays spent far away in a home it seemed he’d never see again.
He was pretty certain he could hear her across the square, laughing from one of the rooftops. Heaving a deep sigh and almost smiling, he grabbed his gunblade and left.