shroudedinsecrecy | INBOX (IC)

[I wondered when we'd get to that. Has she not guessed?

After taking a bite of his own sandwich, Phoenix glances right at her.]

Well... It's because today's a very special occasion. [Then he adds, a little teasingly.] Don't you agree?

[As a matter of fact...]

It is?

[He softly nods.]

Iris... [He'll quietly reach for one of her hands and give a gentle squeeze for a moment while looking right at her.]

Happy birthday.

[His words came as a genuine shock to her for two reasons. One, because she had forgotten--well, no, not forgotten, per say, but had simply lost track of the days. Was it...was it really her birthday already? And, more importantly...]

You...remembered.

How could I ever forget?

[Even in those years when he thought that she was Dahlia Hawthorne, convicted murderer, he still remembered the day and used it to try to honor the good in the girl he once knew. The good who now turned out to be an actual separate person, who is now sitting across from him.]

[The flush to her cheeks was back in full force, and she could feel her heart fluttering as if it had transformed into a butterfly. All these years, and he hadn't forgotten. He made it seem like it would have been impossible for him to forget. Even though they had only ever celebrated once. Back when she was still posing as her sister; at least she and Dahlia were born on the same day, and she'd never had to lie about that.]

You'll probably think this is silly of me, but...I actually almost did.

Time seems to fly by here. I haven't always been keeping track of what day it is.

[Especially with the time discrepancy between home and here. Enough that she hadn't been expecting her birthday to be so soon, and yet...here it was.]

But...thank you. For remembering.

Really? [It makes sense. She's always putting others first... So she overlooked even this.

A fresh breeze blows at his face as he smiles at her. He's intent to make her feel as special as possible on this day.]

Well, Iris... I'm happy to give you a reminder. And let's make this birthday as... as happy as can be, you know?

It's already one of the happiest I've ever had. I don't think I could ask for anything more than this.

[She could maybe think of one or two others that had been equally pleasant, with memories she still treasured. At most.]

[His smile only grows fonder at that praise. It almost melts his heart.]

...W=wow. I'm happy if I managed to make it that high up already! But... Are you sure you're satisfied, Iris? I... I can work on any request that you might have! Alright?

I believe you, Feenie.

But...it's true. This...us...this is all I really want in my life right now. I couldn't think of anything else, even if I had a world of options in front of me.

[He blinks. What was that mumbled word in the middle of all of that? ...Why's his heart racing?

Phoenix shifts his position a bit, sitting somewhat closer to her.]

I'm... I'm flattered. I didn't think it would be this easy for you to feel s-so satisfied.

...But I guess that right now, I can't think of anything else either. So, I feel very happy now, too.

Good.

I want you to be happy. You deserve it.

[After all the trials and tribulations in his life. The sadness and loss, the pain and suffering...the unanswered questions and unspoken truths.]

[He flushes red at that, and he scoots a little more closer as he reaches to softly hold her hands.]

I don't know if I'd say that, b-but... I know you definitely deserve happiness, Iris. You've been through so much, and you're such a good person at your core.

I just want things to be right for you.

[She glanced down at her hand in his. Allowing herself a moment to revel in the gentleness of the gesture, and the warmth to his skin, before she risked intertwining their fingers together.]

They are.

[Her hands were so warm and soft, even with everything she's been through. So gentle. The intertwining of their fingers only fastens that hold, and so Phoenix squeezes her fingers gently.]

...I'm very happy to hear that.

[The silence that followed was...comfortable. Even though she knew she was blushing and it was difficult to maintain eye contact for too long at a time because of that. She allowed herself to revel in a moment that, less than six months ago, she never thought would have been possible.]

[Perhaps it was that thought that led a small giggle to escape her. Perhaps it was a cover for the embarrassment over what she could only assume her face looked like. Perhaps she just needed an excuse to laugh. Whatever the reason, her head tilted downward as the silliest of thoughts occured to her.]

This is...probably the first time we've...been able to enjoy our time together like this without being interrupted.

[By either the city itself, or some of its more enthusiastic residence.]

[He didn't mind that she was blushing. It was cute... and it almost made it feel like the times they shared all those years ago. Phoenix himself was almost oblivious of the way his own cheeks were flushing as he faced her.

And he sent a warm chuckle to keep her giggle company. Then he paused for a beat after she spoke - as if expecting something to interrupt them and jinx her statement.

But it seems like they're safe. And he keeps his hold on her hands as he speaks to her.]

You know, I think you're right. This might just be our lucky day, Iris. It's... it's just you and me. [Without being fully aware, he's been continually making little nudges forward along the blanket. He's pretty much forgotten about the food for now... It's all about Iris.]

[She didn't notice him nudging close any more than she noticed herself closing some of the gap on her end.]

Do you think we should check the bushes, just in case?

[For any little spies.]

[Aw, it's a joke! And Phoenix chuckles softly at that.]

I don't know, Iris... We don't want to jinx this! [Whatever 'this' may be.]

..."Jinx"?

Er... Yeah! It's like... when you bring up something you don't want to happen, and it's only after you mention it that it does happen? So it's kind of like... a weird curse effect!

[How ironic.]

I...see.

You're right, though. I adore the girls very much, but...for once, I don't think I would look quite so forward to seeing them around.

[He smiles and nods.]

Exactly.

Right now, with just the two of us, I... I think we've got something nice going on.

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