Of Anime, Poetry and Falling in Love: Mack and Rose

Disclaimer: I have nothing.

Challenge: Wish

Timeframe: Somewhere after Kick into Overdrive

Summary: "Make a wish, Rose."

Rose frowned at the envelope in her hands. Of course her family had remembered that her birthday was today, but they hadn't bothered to remember that Rose hated her birthday. Birthdays were frivolous and pointless. She didn't see any reason to celebrate turning a year older, especially if the other rangers found out. Mack's birthday had passed a few weeks ago, and Rose had seen how all out the team could get. She didn't want to deal with that again.

Well then. She'd just have to hide the birthday card where no one would ever find it. The pond came to mind…

Rose was still pondering this when her red ranger walked in. "Hey Rose," he greeted eagerly. Rose smiled slightly. Mack was always so happy, especially when he was around her. She'd noticed. "What's that?" he asked, pointing to the pale pink envelope clamped in Rose's hands.

The smile vanished and Rose sighed. "It's a birthday card from my parents, Mack." He noticeably brightened.

"It's your birthday Rose? Why didn't you tell us? We would have had a party." Mack was looking at her with wide blue eyes.

"It's not important," Rose mumbled. Mack snorted.

"Of course it is. It's your birthday, Rose. The one day of the year where everyone has to cater to you. And I am going to do something very special for you."

Rose laughed, "And what, pray tell, is that?"

Mack was positively beaming. "You'll find out soon enough, Birthday Girl." He sprang up from the couch and exited again, leaving a curious Rose behind him.

--

Rose went into her room after a long training session, exhausted but feeling great after her workout. And there, sitting on her desk, was a small round cake with chocolate frosting and pink sprinkles. Pink icing letters spelled out 'Happy Birthday Rosie.'

It looked like she had discovered Mack's little surprise. "Hi," greeted the red ranger from behind her, "I told you you'd like it." He came into her room, a pink candle in one hand. "It's Spencer's recipe, but I made it by myself."

She turned to look at him, "Oh Mack. Thank you. That was really, really nice of you. A little unnecessary, maybe, but sweet."

He smiled a childish smile. "And now it's time for you to blow out the candles and make a wish." Mack stood at her side and stuck the candle into the frosting. He then proceeded to light said candle with a small red plastic lighter. "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…" he sang. Rose blushed furiously.

"OK, OK," Rose agreed, mainly to shut him up. She leaned towards the cake, holding her hair back, and blew out the small flame. 'I wish…I wish…I wish that when all this is over I'll still have Mack as my best friend…and maybe something more.'