Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Written for the World Cup Challenge, Prompt - CharlieDraco
Word Count - 714
Best Birthday Ever
Charlie woke up alone on his birthday.
It wasn't that he wasn't used to waking up alone on his birthday, he'd been living at the reserve almost full time for nine years, but this was the first year he'd had a boyfriend on his birthday and yet…
He was still waking up alone.
Sighing to himself, Charlie climbed out of bed, indulged himself in a full body stretch accompanied by a satisfied groan, and set himself to fulfilling his basic morning needs.
As the day progressed, his workmates wished him happy birthday with hand slaps to the back, a few high fives and fist bumps and even three cards. His family had also sent their own wishes, cards and presents over the last week.
But Charlie couldn't help but wonder why there was nothing from Draco. Not even a firecall before Charlie started work.
He didn't want to be that boyfriend, but…
It kinda sucked.
…
Charlie walked home slowly. He'd had a really good day with the Dragons, and he couldn't help but wonder if Henrietta knew it was his birthday because she'd been extra affectionate. She hadn't even tried to burn him when he patched up a vicious scratch on her side from a fight with one of the male Horntails.
Still, he was feeling a little down, still not having heard anything from Draco. Around midday, he'd had a bit of a panic wondering if something had possibly happened to Draco, but Kyrie, one of the other trainers, talked him down.
Logically he knew that if Draco had been in or had an accident, St Mungo's would have informed him. He was listed as the first point of contact, the same as Draco was for him.
Rolling his eyes at his own neediness, Charlie spelled the door open and walked in.
And froze.
And blinked.
And blinked again.
"Hey."
Draco was there. There. In Romania. The living room was lit by fairy lights, and a few candles, and there was a table set up in the middle of the living room, complete with tablecloth and pretty plates and cutlery.
There was a strong smell of beef coming from the kitchen, and Charlie could do nothing but stare.
"Did I… do wrong?" Draco asked, the charming smile slowly changing into a worried frown. It was that expression that spurred Charlie back into movement and he shook his head forcefully.
"No, no of course not! I was just… surprised. The best kind of surprised, though, I promise." He closed the door and crossed the room to Draco, enveloping him in his arms. "I missed you."
"I missed you too," Draco replied, nuzzling his face against Charlie's neck. "Happy birthday, babe."
Charlie drew back just far enough to press their lips together. When they separated, Charlie had a huge grin on his face.
"Best birthday ever."
"I haven't even given you your present yet," Draco replied, laughing.
"You're my present," Charlie refuted. "Anything else is just… extra. I'm so glad you're here."
"Then… maybe you'll like my present as much as I hoped. See," Draco pulled back a little. "I spoke to Diego, and he told me that Meryl is retiring and the reserve needs a new healer, and since I'm fully trained and have a little experience from spending some time here with you over the weekend, and you know, I've studied Dragons quite a lot, and -"
"Draco… are you moving here?" Charlie interrupted. "Like. To live?"
Draco nodded, his cheeks flushing. "You don't mind, right?"
"Mind?" Charlie asked, smiling so wide his cheeks actually hurt. He pulled Draco back into his arms, lifting him easily and spinning him around. "No baby, I don't mind. I don't mind at all."
…
"You know you have a problem now, right?" Charlie asked, his hand stroking lazily threw Draco's hair.
The two of them were cuddled up on the couch, their bellies full of the food Draco had almost burnt, and both riding the high of knowing that they were actually going to be able to live together for the first time.
"Huh?" Draco asked sleepily, close to dropping off.
"Uh huh," Charlie confirmed. "You're never going to top this birthday. Not ever."
Draco snorted. "If you think that, you really don't know me."
