Author's Note: Enjoy this fluff now, guys. Like seriously...this is some crazy fluff right here. I am dying of the adorable intake from writing this I kid you not. But yeah, enjoy it now cause things get sad next chapter.

As they ate, the group enjoyed themselves and laughs filled the rooms. There was not a thread of tense air around them as everyone appeared to be free and comfortable.

Maes arose from the table, "I'm going to go get dressed then we can head out Elicia."

She nodded and waited for him, conversing with the boy's parents until he reemerged into the room several minutes later.

"Let's go." Maes spoke with a smile on his face.

Elicia stood, thanking the Mustang family for allowing her to eat with them, then soon joined Maes' side.

"Oh! Be back by this evening! That's when we are going to have your cake!" Roy added before the two could leave.

"Thanks!" Maes called out, walking out of the house with Elicia by his side.

The two walked silently together for a few moments until Maes finally spoke, "So…what did you want to do exactly?"

She shrugged, looking to the ground, "It's your birthday…I just thought you would want to hang out. Is there anything you want to do?" she asked, looking up at the tall boy walking beside her.

Maes smiled down at her. He really didn't care what they did, the fact that Elicia wanted to hang out with him was the best thing he could have asked for as a birthday gift. She was so beautiful that he almost couldn't contain himself from wanting to shout it out and look like an idiot.

And aside from her beauty, he thought she was sweet too. She had definitely picked up her mother's trait of being kind to everyone. He admired that. He loved the fact that she had such a kind heart to so many people, despite their faults. Even though her father was gone, her mother had done an excellent job at raising her alone.

Not only was she kind, she was enjoyable to talk to and hang out with. Maes never regretted spending time with Elicia because she always managed to bring a smile to his face. They would always have something to talk about and every story seemed intriguing even if it was just about the every day things.

"I wouldn't mind just walking around, getting to talk." Maes suggested, "Maybe we can go to the park and sit around there for a while."

Elicia smiled, "I would love that."

The two walked along side together, laughter filling the air as they spoke. They shared stories about their past birthdays and all of the funny experiences they remembered.

"I recall how when my dad was alive, he would always buy me these huge teddy bears that were bigger than me." Elicia giggled.

"How did he expect you to play with them?" Maes asked, laughing.

She shrugged, "I don't know…but I have a feeling if he were still around they would have gotten bigger and bigger every year. I have no idea what I would have done with them after that point!"

The two laughed as they approached the park, taking a seat down on a nearby bench.

Maes looked out at all of the children, each of them running around with their parents, enjoying their lives. "It's weird to think I am no longer a kid…" he commented, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees.

"Remember how we used to come here when you were really little?" Elicia asked, looking down at the man.

He nodded in response, "Yeah." he smiled, "And I remember how you used to tell me that you got to go first because you were the older one."

"That's how it works." she replied with a smile.

Maes laughed and sat up, "Yeah, but now I am the bigger one, so it doesn't quite work like that anymore."

The woman simply rolled her eyes, acting like the words he said were ridiculous.

"Hey Elicia…" he began, looking down at the ground as he laced his fingers together as if contemplating his actions.

She looked at him, "Yes, Maes?"

His face turned pink, "Would you uh…mind if…" he kept pausing between words, too afraid to ask her what he wanted to.

"What?" she asked, leaning close to him.

He looked at her, his face still pink as he stammered, "Well…would you…would you mind if I did something?"

"Um…go ahead. What is it though?" She asked.

Maes looked down for a moment, debating as to whether or not he wanted to do what was on his mind. He tried to swallow his fear and do it, but he felt sweat build on his forehead and his stomach tie in knots. "Uh...um…" he turned away quickly, "N-Nevermind!"

Elicia blinked, slightly confused by Maes' actions.

The man frowned, feeling disappointed in himself. This was one of the things he wanted to do. The thing he had waited for all these years and it was now okay to do. He secretly hated himself for chickening out.

But that was until he felt something soft against his cheek.

His face turned a brighter shade of red when he realized what it was. Elicia's lips were now resting on his cheek. He sat there in shock as he felt an idiotic smile cross his face. She had managed to do the thing he was too afraid to do, and he felt admiration towards her for it.

She pulled away and smiled at him, "Happy Birthday, Maes."