Happy birthday

When Mikasa and Annie met, they quickly became best friends. Both being the more quiet type, their other friends were surprised by it. They got to know each other better than anyone else, sticking together year after year. On the evening of Annie's twenty-first birthday, they sat on a hill located an hour's drive away from town.

Annie rested her head on Mikasa's shoulder, tugging the blanket a little tighter around them. While the snow had all melted away, it still froze at night. But when she had told Mikasa she wanted to see the stars without being bothered by the many streetlights of the city, the taller girl had packed blankets and snacks, driving them to the place they now sat.

"It's beautiful." Mikasa said quietly.

Annie hummed, taking her eyes from the twinkling lights above them to look at Mikasa. "Yeah. There's nothing quite like your face." Mikasa smiled and poked Annie with a finger from the hand she had wrapped around her, knowing how ticklish Annie was. Giggling, she squirmed away from the hand, almost ending up on Mikasa's lap in the process.

They returned their gaze to the stars, a comfortable silence between them until Mikasa spoke again. "I know you said you don't want me to give you anything for your birthday, but I'd still like to."

"You're here with me, what more could I possibly want?"

Mikasa smiled at her. "I love you too. But I mean it, isn't there anything you want? Not even in your wildest dreams?"

"A girlfriend." Annie sighed, her heartbeat speeding up at the mere mention of the word.

Mikasa placed a kiss to her crown. "You'll get one. You just have to dare to take that first step. You're brave, I know you can do it."

Annie smiled softly and muttered, "I know." She took a deep breath. "But I'm scared it'll ruin our friendship."

"Annie. Nothing will ever come between us, you are way too important to me to leave you behind. So don't worry, be happy."

Annie stared at the grass in front of them. She knew what she said was true, but she still worried their friendship would never be the same again. She took a couple more deep breaths, steeling herself for what she was about to do. She swallowed, turning her face towards her friend. "Mikasa." Their eyes met. "Would you really do anything for my birthday?"

"Of course."

"Kiss me." The words were barely a whisper, a breath leaving her mouth. Mikasa's eyes widened, she knew Annie had never kissed anyone before. Her gaze flickered between Annie's eyes and her lips, and she brought a hand up to cup Annie's cheek.

Slowly she closed the distance between them, cold lips meeting in a gentle embrace. She stayed there for a moment, unmoving, before pulling back. Annie grabbed her scarf, tugging her closer and kissing her back, whimpering softly. Mikasa hummed, moving her lips in response, allowing Annie to set the pace.

After several minutes they broke apart, gazing into each other's eyes. Annie felt warm, as if the kiss had chased the cold of the night away. "Next year, will you kiss me again?" she asked quietly.

"Yes." Mikasa replied.

"And the year after that?"

"Yes."

"And the one after that?"

"Yes. And the one after that too, as many times you want to."

"I love you, Mikasa."

"I love you too." Their lips melted together again, the stars above them long forgotten.