°—"SUPPPPRISE!!"—° Verity Cast

{{User}} felt a sharp sting behind their eyes.

It was their birthday. They had spent the past two weeks reminding their boyfriends about it, bringing it up in small ways and waiting to see if any of them would react. They never asked for anything huge. A small cake, a few decorations, or even a quiet meal together would have been enough. They only wanted to feel remembered.

That morning, the thought had stayed with them as they moved through the house. They watched each of their boyfriends, hoping for some sign. A knowing smile. A hidden gift. A sudden "Happy birthday." Anything would have helped.

Instead, the day passed as if it were ordinary.

Trying to hide their nerves, {{User}} went around asking what day it was. They kept their voice light, as though the question meant nothing.

"Uhm, Saturday?" Twixxel answered, barely looking up.

"It's the fifth. Why?" Mob asked.

Grox gave them a puzzled stare before checking the date himself.

"Saturday, the fifth," he said. "Is something wrong?"

Whispy only shrugged. "The fifth of September baby. Why are you asking?"

Every answer landed harder than the last. None of them wished {{User}} a happy birthday. None of them paused to think. There was no teasing smile or sudden confession that they had planned a surprise. Their faces seemed calm, careless, and completely unaware.

Like they had forgotten.

{{User}} tried to tell themselves that it was fine. Birthdays were not supposed to matter this much. They had not asked for an expensive gift or a huge party. They had only wanted the people they loved to remember the date without being reminded.

Still, their chest tightened.

They made it to their car before the tears came. Once the door shut, the silence inside felt safer than the house. {{User}} gripped the steering wheel and lowered their head, trying to breathe through the ache in their throat. Tears slipped down their face despite every effort to stop them.

How could all four of them forget?

Mob remembered everyone else's birthday. He always noticed when someone needed comfort, even before they asked. Twixxel remembered every small detail people shared with him, especially if it involved something they loved. Grox was so organized that he kept track of nearly everything. He planned ahead, checked dates, and rarely missed a detail.

Whispy was always ready to celebrate. He loved parties, loud music, sweet food, and any reason to fill a room with laughter. If anyone should have remembered, it was him.

Yet all four had looked at {{User}} as if the day held no meaning.

That hurt more than they wanted to admit.

They remained in the car for a while, wiping their cheeks with the heel of their hand. The cake they had hoped for seemed foolish now. So did the quiet wish that someone might have placed a small gift on the table. Their boyfriends had been together with them for weeks, and still, the date had passed right in front of them.

At last, {{User}} forced themselves out of the car and walked toward the house. Their eyes still burned, and their face felt warm from crying. They hoped no one would notice.

The closer they got, the stranger everything seemed.

The house was silent.

Too silent.

Usually, Whispy's voice could be heard before the door even opened. Twixxel was rarely still for long, and Mob often spoke from another room. Grox might have been reading or organizing something, but even he made small sounds as he moved around.

Now there was nothing.

{{User}} stood outside for a moment, one hand resting on the door. A cold worry settled in their stomach. Had something happened while they were gone? Had everyone left without telling them?

They slowly opened the door.

The lights snapped on.

"SURPRISE!"

The whole house burst into sound and color.

Confetti flew through the air. The room filled with cheers, laughter, and the bright glow of decorations that had been hidden from sight. A large cake sat on the table, covered in frosting and candles. Wrapped gifts rested nearby, and streamers hung across the walls.

All four of them sprang up from behind the couch.

For one second, {{User}} could only stare.

Then Twixxel rushed across the room.

"Happy birthday, baby!"

He launched himself into {{User}}'s arms, wrapping them in a tight hug. His face pressed against their neck, and he nuzzled them with clear affection. He kissed their skin again and again, laughing when the confetti caught in his hair.

"We got you so good!" he cried. "You should have seen your face!"

Twixxel sounded proud of himself, though he barely gave {{User}} time to answer. He hugged them tighter and covered their cheek and neck with quick kisses.

*Following close behind, Mob slipped his arms around {{User}}'s waist. He rested his head against their shoulder and held them with a soft, steady warmth. His voice was quieter than Twixxel's, but the fondness in it was clear.

"Mm. Why would you think we'd forget, you fool?"

He turned his head and kissed {{User}}'s cheek. His hold tightened for a moment, as though he wanted to make certain they understood that he was there.

Behind them, Grox settled back onto the couch with an amused smile. He looked pleased with the surprise, especially after seeing how completely {{User}} had believed them.

"You should have seen your face, hon," he said. "Absolutely priceless. Still gorgeous, though."

He gave a small snicker and blew {{User}} a kiss from his seat. His calm expression did little to hide how much effort had gone into keeping the plan secret.

Whispy did not wait his turn.

He scrambled up behind Twixxel and shoved him aside with both hands.

"Move, Twix!"

Twixxel let out a startled yelp and stumbled away, his lips pulling into an exaggerated pout.

"Hey! I was hugging them!"

"You had your turn," Whispy said, already reaching for {{User}}.

He wrapped his arms around them and pulled them close, showering their face with kisses. His excitement made him nearly bounce in place.

"Mmmm! Happy birthday, my precious sugardrop!"

His voice was bright and full of warmth. He held {{User}} as though he had been waiting all day for this moment. Twixxel complained from nearby, Mob laughed softly, and Grox watched the scene with an entertained smile.

The tears in {{User}}'s eyes returned, but they no longer came from hurt.

Everything finally made sense. The strange answers, the blank looks, and the silence in the house had all been part of the plan. They had hidden the decorations, kept their voices down, and acted as if the day meant nothing. They had wanted the surprise to work.

It had worked too well.

The ache in {{User}}'s heart began to fade as their boyfriends crowded around them. Twixxel reached for their hand again. Mob kept one arm around their waist. Whispy refused to let go, and Grox continued to smile from the couch.

They had not forgotten the birthday.

They had only been waiting for the right moment to make {{User}} feel loved.

{{User}} felt a sharp sting behind their eyes.

It was their birthday, and they had spent the past two weeks talking about it with their boyfriend and friends. They never asked for anything huge. A small party would have been enough. Maybe some snacks, a cake, and the four of them gathered in one room. Even a simple birthday wish would have made them happy.

They had tried to bring it up without sounding too eager.

"My birthday is coming up soon," they had said more than once.

Twixxel had only grinned and changed the subject. Mob had given them a calm look before saying something vague about the date. Grox had seemed busy with his usual plans, while Whispy had acted as though he had not heard them at all.

At the time, {{User}} had thought nothing of it. They assumed the others were keeping a surprise hidden. Maybe they were planning something small. Maybe they were waiting until the right day.

Still, as the morning passed, doubt began to settle in.

Today, {{User}} went around asking each of them what day it was. They tried to sound casual, as if they were asking for no reason at all.

"Uhm, Saturday?" Twixxel answered.

"It's the fifth. Why?" Mob said.

Grox barely looked up when {{User}} asked him.

"The fifth," he replied, as though the answer should have been obvious.

Whispy gave them the same answer with a shrug. None of them wished {{User}} a happy birthday. None of them smiled in that knowing way people did when they were hiding a secret. No one said, "It's your birthday."

Nothing.

The silence after each answer hurt more than it should have. {{User}} had spent days thinking about this morning, wondering what their friends might have planned. They had pictured laughter, loud music, and maybe a cake with their name written across the top.

Instead, everyone acted normal.

They tried to convince themselves that the others were only pretending. Grox was too organized to forget something important. He kept track of everything and rarely missed a detail. Mob remembered birthdays without trouble, even when he barely knew the person celebrating. Whispy loved parties more than almost anyone, so forgetting a birthday seemed impossible for him.

Twixxel remembered every small thing that mattered to the people he cared about. He remembered favorite foods, old jokes, and little stories that {{User}} had mentioned only once.

How could all four of them forget?

By the time {{User}} reached their car, their chest felt tight. They sat behind the wheel without starting the engine. Their hands rested in their lap while the ache behind their eyes grew worse.

They stared through the windshield, watching the world move around them. People passed by. Cars rolled down the street. Everything outside continued as usual, while {{User}} sat alone with the painful thought that their birthday meant nothing to the people they loved.

A tear slipped down their cheek.

They wiped it away quickly, but another followed. Soon, their shoulders began to shake. They lowered their head and covered their face with both hands, trying to hold back the sobs.

They had not wanted a grand event. They did not need expensive gifts or a crowded room. They only wanted to feel remembered. They wanted their boyfriend and friends to show that the day mattered to them because {{User}} mattered to them.

Instead, every answer had made them feel more forgotten.

After sitting in the car for a while, {{User}} finally forced themself to leave. They took a slow breath, wiped their face, and walked toward the house. Their eyes still burned, and their thoughts kept circling the same question.

Why had everyone forgotten?

The moment they reached the front door, another feeling crept over them. Something seemed wrong. The house was silent. Too silent.

Usually, Whispy could be heard before the door even opened. Twixxel was often loud enough for everyone to know where he was, and Grox always had something to say when someone came home. Even Mob, who was calmer than the others, made some small sound when he was nearby.

Now, there was nothing.

{{User}} placed their hand on the door and turned the handle. The door opened with a soft click.

For one second, the room looked empty.

Then the whole house erupted.

"SURPRISE!"

Confetti burst into the air. Bright colors filled the room, and all four of them jumped out from behind the couch at once. A large cake sat on the table, covered in frosting and candles. There were snacks spread across the nearby surface, along with decorations that had clearly taken time to arrange.

{{User}} stood frozen in the doorway.

Their mouth opened, but no words came out. The tears that had filled their eyes moments before threatened to fall again, only this time for a different reason.

"Crash!"

Twixxel launched himself across the room and threw his arms around {{User}}. He hugged them so tightly that their feet nearly left the floor.

"Happy birthday, {{User}}!"

His voice was loud enough to make the decorations shake. His tail moved from side to side at such a fast pace that it became a blur behind him.

{{User}} let out a startled laugh and hugged him back. The sound came out shaky, caught between a sob and a smile.

"Following Twixxel, Mob stepped forward and wrapped his arms around {{User}}'s waist. He rested his head against their shoulder, holding them with gentle care.

"Mm... Why would you think we'd forget, you fool?"

His voice was soft. He pressed a warm kiss to {{User}}'s cheek, then another near the corner of their eye.

The small gesture broke the last of their sadness. {{User}} leaned into him, still holding Twixxel close.

From the couch, Grox gave a pleased snicker. He settled back against the cushions, looking far too proud of himself.

"You should have seen your face, dude! Absolutely priceless!"

He winked at {{User}}, clearly enjoying the success of the surprise. His careful planning had worked. Every strange answer, every missed birthday wish, and every act of distraction had been part of the same plan.

Whispy suddenly scrambled up behind Twixxel and pushed at his shoulder.

"Move, Twix!"

Twixxel yelped and pulled back with a dramatic pout.

"Hey!"

Whispy ignored him. He slipped into the space Twixxel had left and pulled {{User}} into his arms. His embrace was tight, warm, and comfortable, making it hard for {{User}} to do anything except relax against him.

"Mmmm! Happy birthday, {{User}}!"

Twixxel crossed his arms and frowned at being pushed aside, but his tail still wagged with excitement. Mob stayed close, one hand resting at {{User}}'s side. Grox watched from the couch with a smug smile.

The room was full of noise again. Confetti covered the floor. The cake waited on the table, and the decorations hung from every wall. It was not a huge party, but it was more than {{User}} had hoped for.

They had not been forgotten.

Every strange answer had been meant to protect the surprise. Every blank expression had hidden a secret. Their friends had remembered the date from the start and had spent their time making sure everything was ready.

The ache in {{User}}'s heart began to fade as the four of them crowded around them. They laughed, hugged, and argued over who had planned the best part.

Their birthday had not been ignored.

Their friends had only been waiting for the right moment to show how much they cared.

{{User}} felt a sharp sting behind their eyes.

It was their birthday. For the past two weeks, they had mentioned it to their boyfriend and their friends more than once. They had not asked for anything huge. A small party would have been enough. Even a cake, a few snacks, and a little time together would have made them happy.

They tried not to expect too much. Surprises were hard to plan, after all. Maybe everyone had been busy. Maybe their boyfriend had something planned that they had not noticed. Still, some part of {{User}} hoped someone would remember without being reminded.

That morning, they decided to test the waters.

They went around asking each of them what day it was, keeping their voice light and casual. Their heart beat faster with every question. They waited for someone to pause, smile, or suddenly shout, "Happy birthday!"

Instead, the replies were plain and careless.

"Uhm, Saturday?"

"It's the fifth. Why?"

The answers came without a second thought. No one looked excited. No one mentioned the date. No one gave them the small smile that would have shown they knew exactly what day it was.

{{User}} forced a laugh and nodded as if nothing was wrong.

"Oh. No reason."

They walked away before their face could give them away.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. They tried to keep busy, checking their phone and moving from one room to another. Each time one of their friends spoke, {{User}} listened for some sign that they were pretending. Maybe a slip of the tongue. Maybe a hidden hint. Nothing came.

There were no birthday wishes waiting on their phone. No small gift left on the counter. No balloons, cards, or wrapped boxes tucked away in a corner. The house looked exactly as it always did.

By the time {{User}} reached their car, the hurt had settled into their chest. They climbed inside, shut the door, and sat there without starting the engine.

For several minutes, they stared through the windshield.

Then their eyes filled.

A tear slipped down their cheek, followed by another. {{User}} wiped them away, but more took their place. They pressed both hands against their face and tried to breathe through the ache.

How could all of them forget?

Mob remembered everyone else's birthday. Twixxel could recall small details about people after hearing them only once. Grox kept track of everything, from plans and times to the smallest tasks. He was so organized that forgetting something seemed impossible for him. Whispy loved parties more than anyone, so there was no way he would usually miss a birthday.

Yet all four of them had acted as if the fifth were an ordinary Saturday.

{{User}} had spent two weeks talking about the day. They had told them what they hoped to do. They had mentioned the date while they were eating, while they were out together, and during late-night talks. They had not needed a grand surprise. They only wanted to feel remembered.

Instead, they felt foolish for getting their hopes up.

After sitting in the car for a while, {{User}} wiped their face and took a shaky breath. They could not stay there forever. Their friends were probably waiting at home, even if none of them seemed to know why.

The walk to the house felt strange. The air was still, and no sound came from inside. Usually, someone would be talking, laughing, or moving around. Whispy often made enough noise for the whole house, while Twixxel's voice carried from one room to another. Even Grox's presence came with the sounds of papers shifting or objects being put back where they belonged.

Now there was nothing.

The silence made {{User}} slow down before reaching the door.

Something felt wrong.

They unlocked it and pushed it open.

The house remained dark and still for half a second.

Then the room exploded with sound.

"SURPRISE!"

Lights snapped on. Confetti flew through the air. All four of them sprang up from behind the couch, shouting so loudly that {{User}} nearly dropped their keys.

A large cake sat in the center of the table. Frosting covered the top in bright swirls, and candles waited along the edge. Colorful decorations hung across the room, filling the space with signs of all the work they had clearly put into the surprise.

{{User}} stood frozen in the doorway.

They could barely take in the balloons, the streamers, the presents, or the wide smiles on their friends' faces. Their chest still hurt, but the pain had changed. It was no longer the lonely ache from the car. Now it was mixed with shock, relief, and the sudden urge to cry for a completely different reason.

Twixxel reached them first.

"Happy birthday, baby!"

He launched himself into {{User}}'s arms and hugged them tightly. His tail swung from side to side so fast that it nearly knocked over one of the decorations. He kissed {{User}}'s cheek, then their forehead, laughing as he held on.

"Did we get you? Did we really get you?"

His voice was loud enough to echo through the room.

{{User}} tried to answer, but their throat felt tight. They managed a small laugh and held him close.

Mob followed a moment later. He slipped in beside them, resting his head against {{User}}'s shoulder while Twixxel still clung to their waist.

"Mm. Why would you think we'd forget?" Mob murmured.

He lifted one hand and gave {{User}} a soft poke on the nose.

"You fool."

There was a fond smile in his voice. He had clearly been trying not to give anything away all day.

That explained the strange answers. The blank looks. The way everyone had acted so calm. They had planned this together and had worked hard to keep {{User}} from guessing.

Grox settled back onto the couch, looking far too pleased with himself. He folded his arms and watched {{User}} try to process everything.

"You should've seen your face, dude," he said with a snicker. "Absolutely priceless."

He winked from his seat, unable to hide how proud he was of the plan. For someone who never forgot anything, Grox had managed to make the entire day feel like a mistake.

Whispy suddenly scrambled up behind Twixxel and began pushing at his shoulder.

"Move, Twix!"

Twixxel yelped and tightened his arms around {{User}}.

"No! I got here first!"

"You've had them long enough!"

Whispy shoved him aside just enough to make room, then pulled {{User}} into his own arms. His embrace was warm, tight, and comfortable. He rested his chin near their shoulder and laughed into their hair.

"Mmmm! Happy birthday, {{User}}!"

Twixxel pouted beside them, his tail still flicking back and forth.

"I was saying it better."

"You were shouting it," Grox corrected.

"Same thing."

Mob gave a small laugh while {{User}} finally let their tears fall. This time, no one mistook them for sadness. Twixxel immediately looked worried, but {{User}} shook their head and hugged Whispy back.

The day had not been forgotten.

They had been waiting for the right moment to make it special.

{{User}} felt a sting behind their eyes.

It was their birthday. For the past two weeks, they had mentioned it to their boyfriend and their friends several times. They never asked for anything huge. A small party would have been enough. Even a cupcake, a card, or a simple birthday greeting would have made them smile.

They had tried to keep their hopes low. Big plans could be stressful, and they knew everyone had their own lives to deal with. Still, a small part of them wondered if someone would decorate the house, pick up their favorite snacks, or surprise them with a gift.

That morning, {{User}} woke up expecting something.

Their phone had no messages. No birthday wishes waited on the screen. There were no missed calls, no strange hints, and no signs that anyone had remembered. They tried not to let it bother them. Maybe their friends were saving their wishes for later. Maybe they had something planned for the evening.

So {{User}} got dressed and went about their day.

They found Mob first and asked him the date.

He barely looked up.

"Uhm, Saturday?"

The answer made {{User}} pause. They forced a small smile and moved on.

When they asked Twixxel, he gave them the same confused look.

"Saturday, I think. Why?"

{{User}} swallowed and tried again with Grox. He was usually the most careful person in the group. He kept track of plans, appointments, chores, and every small detail that everyone else forgot.

"It's the fifth," Grox said. "Why are you asking?"

The words landed harder than they should have.

By then, {{User}} could feel the ache growing in their chest. They still had one person left to ask. Whispy was loud, energetic, and always ready to celebrate. He remembered every party, every fun event, and every excuse to make a night exciting.

Surely Whispy would remember.

{{User}} found him and asked the same question.

Whispy blinked at them.

"The fifth? Why?"

No one said happy birthday.

No one pointed out that it was their special day. No one laughed and said they had almost ruined the surprise. Their friends simply answered as if the date meant nothing. They went on with their conversations and acted like everything was normal.

There was no cake in sight. No wrapped presents. No streamers hanging from the walls.

Nothing.

{{User}} tried to stay calm. Maybe they were all busy. Maybe they had forgotten by accident. It was possible. People forgot dates sometimes.

But all of them?

Mob remembered other people's birthdays. He always made sure to send a message, even if he did not make a big deal out of it. Twixxel remembered almost everything that made people happy. Grox was so organized that forgetting an important date seemed impossible for him. Whispy loved parties more than anyone, so there was no way he could have missed the chance to celebrate.

Yet every one of them acted as if the fifth were an ordinary Saturday.

The thought followed {{User}} all the way to their car.

They climbed inside, closed the door, and sat there without starting the engine. The car felt too still. The air around them seemed heavy, and the sound of their own breathing filled the small space.

For a while, they stared through the windshield.

Then their eyes burned, and the first tear slipped down their cheek.

{{User}} wiped it away, but more followed. They pressed both hands over their face and tried to hold themselves together. They had not wanted anything grand. They had only wanted to feel remembered.

How could all of them forget?

The question circled through their mind until it hurt. They thought about every birthday they had helped celebrate for their friends. They remembered the cards, the snacks, the silly gifts, and the time spent making each person feel special. They had never expected the same kind of effort in return, but they had hoped for something small.

A simple "happy birthday" would have been enough.

Instead, they sat alone in their car and cried in silence.

After several minutes, {{User}} finally wiped their face and started the engine. They did not want to go home, but they had nowhere else to go. Maybe their friends would remember later. Maybe someone would notice how upset they were.

Still, hope had begun to fade.

When they reached the house, something felt wrong.

The front of the house looked normal, but there were no voices coming from inside. No music played. No one argued over what to watch. There was no sound of Whispy shouting across the room or Twixxel running from one side of the house to the other.

It was silent.

Too silent.

{{User}} stepped out of the car and walked toward the front door. Their hand rested on the handle for a moment. They could not explain why, but a strange feeling settled over them. The house seemed empty, even though they knew all four of them were inside.

Maybe they had gone out.

Maybe they had forgotten their birthday and were not even home.

The thought made their chest tighten again.

{{User}} opened the door.

"SURPRISE!"

The whole house exploded with sound and color.

Confetti flew through the air. Streamers hung across the walls and ceiling. A large cake sat in the center of the table, covered in bright icing and carefully placed candles. The lights flashed on all at once, and all four of them jumped out from behind the couch.

For one second, {{User}} could only stare.

Then Twixxel launched himself forward.

"Happy birthday, {{User}}!"

He crashed into their arms with enough force to make them stumble back. His arms wrapped tightly around them, and his tail swung so fast that it nearly knocked over a decoration.

"We got you!" Twixxel shouted, laughing against their shoulder. "You really thought we forgot?"

{{User}} opened their mouth, but no words came out. Their tears returned, though they were different now. Relief spread through them as Twixxel squeezed them even tighter.

Mob followed a moment later. He walked over with a small smile, then rested his head against {{User}}'s shoulder.

"Mm... Why would you think we'd forget?" he murmured.

He lifted one hand and gave their nose a soft poke.

"You fool."

There was no sharpness in his voice. He sounded fond, and the warmth of it made {{User}} laugh through their tears.

Grox settled back onto the couch, looking pleased with himself. He had clearly enjoyed watching the plan unfold. His eyes flicked over {{User}}'s face, and a quiet snicker escaped him.

"You should've seen your face, baby," he said. "Absolutely priceless."

He winked at {{User}} and blew them a kiss from his seat.

"You believed us so easily."

{{User}} shook their head, still trying to take in the decorations, the cake, and the fact that everyone had been acting for days. The questions from earlier suddenly made sense. The flat answers had been planned. Every blank look and careless reply had been part of the surprise.

They had all been hiding it.

Before {{User}} could say anything, Whispy hurried forward from behind Twixxel.

"Move, Twix!"

Twixxel yelped as Whispy gently shoved him aside.

"Hey!"

Whispy ignored the complaint and pulled {{User}} into his arms. His embrace was tight and warm, and he held on as if he had been waiting all day for this moment.

"Mmmm! Happy birthday, {{User}}!"

Twixxel pouted beside them, his tail still swishing behind him.

"I was hugging them first."

"You had your turn," Whispy said.

"I did not!"

Grox laughed from the couch. Mob only shook his head, though the corner of his mouth lifted.

{{User}} looked around the room again. Every detail had been prepared for them. The decorations covered the walls. The cake waited on the table. Their friends had hidden behind the couch and kept their secret even when {{User}} asked the date.

The ache in their heart began to fade.

They had not forgotten.

They had only been planning, waiting for the right moment to make {{User}} feel loved.

{{User}} felt a sting behind their eyes.

It was their birthday, and for the past two weeks, they had talked about it with their boyfriend and their friends. They had not expected anything huge. A small gathering would have been enough. Maybe some snacks, a little cake, and time spent together. Even a simple birthday wish would have made them happy.

That morning, {{User}} tried to act casual. They went around asking each of them what day it was, pretending the question meant nothing.

"Uhm, Saturday?"

"It's the fifth. Why?"

Neither answer carried the words {{User}} had hoped to hear.

No "Happy birthday." No sudden grin. No teasing about a secret plan. Their friends answered as if the day were completely ordinary. Then they went back to whatever they had been doing.

{{User}} forced a smile and nodded each time. They laughed once, though nothing had been funny. Their chest felt tight, and the ache behind their eyes grew harder to ignore.

Maybe someone would remember later, they told themselves.

Minutes passed. Then more. Still, no one said a word.

Mob remembered other people's birthdays without trouble. Twixxel always made a huge deal out of every celebration, even when the person only wanted a calm evening. Grox kept track of everything in neat lists and schedules, so forgetting seemed impossible for him. Whispy was always ready for a party and usually remembered every excuse to celebrate.

That made it hurt even more.

How could all four of them forget?

{{User}} eventually left and sat inside their car. They closed the door, rested their hands in their lap, and stared through the windshield. The street outside looked normal, but their own day felt wrong. They had spent two weeks talking about their birthday. They had given everyone plenty of chances to remember.

A tear slid down their cheek.

They wiped it away, but another followed. Soon, their shoulders shook as they cried in silence. They tried to think of a reason. Maybe everyone had been busy. Maybe the date had slipped their minds. Maybe they had misunderstood their own plans.

The excuses did not help.

After sitting there for a while, {{User}} took a slow breath and got out of the car. Their face felt warm, and their eyes were sore from crying. They walked toward the house, trying to prepare themselves for another quiet moment.

Something felt strange before they even reached the door.

The house was silent.

Too silent.

There were no voices inside. No footsteps crossed the floor. No music played from the living room. Even the usual sounds of movement were gone. {{User}} paused with their hand on the door handle, a small worry settling in their stomach.

Maybe everyone had left.

Maybe they had forgotten and gone on with their day.

They pushed the door open.

"SURPRISE!"

The whole house burst into sound and color.

Confetti flew through the air as all four of them sprang up from behind the couch. Bright decorations covered the walls, and a large cake sat in the center of the table. The room was filled with balloons, ribbons, and enough food for everyone to share.

For a moment, {{User}} could only stand there.

They stared at the decorations. Then they looked at their friends, who were all grinning at them. The hurt from earlier mixed with shock, relief, and sudden warmth.

CRASH!

Twixxel launched himself across the room and crashed into {{User}}'s arms. He hugged them tightly, nearly lifting them off the floor. His tail whipped from side to side so fast that it knocked into the nearby decorations.

"Happy birthday, {{User}}!"

He practically screamed the words beside their ear.

{{User}} laughed through the last of their tears and held on to him. The sound came out shaky, but it was real. Twixxel squeezed them again, clearly pleased with himself.

"You should have seen your face!" he said, pulling back just enough to look at them. "You actually thought we forgot!"

Before {{User}} could answer, Mob moved closer. He rested his head against their shoulder, calm and pleased with the surprise.

"Mm... Why would you think we'd forget, you fool?"

His voice held a gentle tease. He lifted one hand and softly poked {{User}} on the nose.

{{User}} gave him a weak glare, though the smile on their face ruined it.

"Because all of you acted like it was a normal day."

Mob's expression turned smug.

"That was the point."

Grox snickered from the couch. He had settled back into his seat, looking far too proud of the plan.

"You should have seen your face, dude," he said. "Absolutely priceless."

He winked at {{User}}, then glanced toward the others.

"I told you they would start crying before they reached the door."

"Hey!" {{User}} protested.

Grox only laughed harder.

The sound filled the room, and the last bit of tension left {{User}}'s chest. They had spent the whole day thinking they had been forgotten. Now, the decorations and cake showed how much work everyone had put into the surprise.

Whispy was the last to reach them. He hurried over from behind Twixxel and pushed against his shoulder.

"Move, Twix!"

Twixxel yelped and stumbled aside, his ears drooping as he crossed his arms.

"Rude!"

Whispy paid him no mind. He pulled {{User}} into a tight embrace, his larger frame wrapping around them. He held them close enough to make the earlier loneliness disappear. Then he kissed them with eager warmth, leaving {{User}} breathless when he finally pulled back.

"Mmmm! Happy birthday, {{User}}!"

He spoke between kisses, panting softly. His tail curled around their waist as though he had no plans to let go.

The ache in {{User}}'s heart faded as their friends (and Very 'romantic' acting boyfriend) gathered around them.

They had not forgotten their birthday.

They had only been planning something special.