Birthday

Word Count: 926

To say that Pyrrha was greatly disappointed and wallowing in self-loathing would be an understatement. With her last class done, she began trudging her way to the dorms, her boots barely scrapping off the ground. Her peers parted in the halls for her as usual, but today was for a different reason. Her eyes were downcast, her shoulders slumped, and she lacked the optimistic attitude. The students of Beacon noticed and moved out of the way, not wanting to incur her wrath.

Today was her eighteenth birthday, but no one had wished her happy birthday, excluding a rather cruel and mocking one from CRDL. Nothing from team RWBY, or from her own team. Not even Jaune. She never thought she'd see the day when Cardin cared more about her than her team.

She was too nice to tell them flat out, but after lunch when nothing happened, she began dropping hints. But Jaune and the others had not understood her cleverly worded sentences, and after a while, Pyrrha gave up. She had believed the friendships she had forged were strong and worthwhile, but perhaps she was wrong, and that thought alone hampered her mood. Maybe there was something wrong with her that was causing them not to care. Was she too nice? Not nice enough? Were they just using her for her skills and intelligence?

The majority of her disappointment stemmed from the hope she had placed in Jaune. While oftentimes oblivious, he was also sentimental and she had spent a long time wondering what he might have gotten her as a gift. But today had gone on like every other day. They'd all forgotten. Jaune had forgotten.

With a deep sigh, she faced the door to her dorm and closed her eyes. She imagined a cake with a single candle in the center, the flame dancing. A younger version of herself appeared, gazing at it, her forlorn expression reflecting Pyrrha's emotions. I wish for just one person I care to wish me happy birthday. If I can't have who and what I really want, then at least give me this. That's all I want.

The door swished open.

"Surprise! Happy birthday, Pyrrha!"

She barely had time to close her eyes before Nora set off a volley of confetti cannons, and sparkly pink glitter coated the room and its nine occupants. Opening her eyes, she saw the happy birthday sign and the dozens of balloons. She saw Ruby at the table of snacks, trying to discreetly stuff cookies into her mouth. She saw Weiss chasing Zwei chasing Blake who ran and used Yang as a human shield. She saw Nora trying to reload the confetti cannons and Ren trying to stop her.

A hand tapped her shoulder, and she spun around to see Jaune smiling, sheepish but happy. The blonde was covered in pink glitter, and she stepped forward to brush it off of his shoulders and hair.

"Jaune, what is this?"

"It's a surprise party, Pyrrha. Did you really think I'd forget about my amazing partner's birthday?"

Bubbles of joy rose through her. "What I don't understand is how you managed to do this. You've had classes all day."

He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "We may have skipped our last class or two..."

"Jaune," she began sternly, frowning at him, but she couldn't keep up the façade. Her lips broke out into a delighted smile and she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing him. Fighting back against her emotions, she whispered, "Thank you."

Tentatively, he rested his hands on her waist and hugged her. "Happy Birthday, Pyr."

She withdrew enough to see his face but selfishly did not want to let him go, so she didn't. Blue orbs met green, unwavering as if silently communicating secret thoughts amid the chaos that surrounded them. Happiness radiated through her. He hadn't forgotten. And he had done more than wish her a happy birthday. He had gathered their friends and surprised her. She was so happy she could kiss him, or she at least would if it wouldn't ruin their friendship and if the others weren't around and if he didn't-

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot!" He reached into his back pocket, retrieving something small and shiny. He held it up between them, and Pyrrha realized it was a pendant. The wooden charm was finely carved and polished and showed an elegant combination of his symbol and hers. She took it into her hands, closely admiring the detailed craftsmanship, and then looked up. He had a silly grin on his face, evidently proud of his gift, but his cheeks were a bright red. "It's made out of the same tree you pinned me to."

With a giggle, she looped it over her head, the charm landing just above the swell of her breasts. She couldn't resist the urge to hug him again, "I love it, Jaune." I love you.

Confetti rained once again, the gleeful laughter of Nora echoing somewhere beneath a large mound of the glittery flecks, despite Ren's rant about who was going to be responsible for cleaning. Weiss complained about the confetti being in her hair and how it was a choking hazard. A dog barked, and an odd hiss came seconds after, followed by Yang's amused laughter. At some point while staring into his partner's eyes, Jaune decided to do something he might regret. Ruby's ecstatic shout floated above it all, apparently having discovered the location of the cake. And behind a curtain of confetti, Pyrrha got her secret wish.