Hey!
First of all, I'm a non-native English speaker, so there might be some mistakes!
It's just something short for my boy's birthday, I wrote it in a hurry when I realised the date!
Enjoy!
The ground was still damp from a rainy episode, the smell of wet soil familiar to his senses. Hijikata wandered into the usual streets quietly as the night was falling. He was expected, but, as always, he was early. He had lit a cigarette up meanwhile and waited for it to be finished to show up to the venue.
He scratched the back of his head, tousling his hair slightly. He usually liked everything to be in order, but, even though he'd been instructed to look nice, he wasn't used to wearing fine clothes. Matsudaira had insisted upon Hijikata going to a tailor to get a bespoke suit for him, which he'd done begrudgingly. But he had to admit that the fabric was comfortable to wear.
The big boss had invited him to a party organised by the shogun meant to gather police representatives from the entire country, asking Hijikata to be the representative of the Shinsengumi. To say the Vice-Commander didn't want to go was an understatement. But he'd been asked, and he didn't have anything else planned, so he had complied.
Sensing he couldn't delay the inevitable, he sighed. He walked back to the venue, catching his own reflection in a shop window opposite the locale. He adjusted his collar, brushing the non-existent dust on his shoulder. He guessed he could say he looked presentable.
He took a last drag of his cigarette before he let the butt fall to the ground, stomping on it with his boot. It was time to go.
He walked to the door, knocking softly. There was no answer. Surprised, he tried to open the door, and pushed it open when he realised it was unlocked.
There was no light in the room, no sound. He frowned, stepping inside, calling out 'Hello?'
No one answered him back. He cleared his throat, discountenanced. He walked further inside the room, letting the door close behind him, going to feel around to find a switch.
He found it and pressed it, immediately blinded by the sudden rush of light. He also startled with the sudden noise.
'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!'
Hijikata was covered in confettis in an instant, dazed as he took in the scene before him. In the venue, stood fifteen or so people, all familiar faces, in front of tables covered by food and a suspiciously high amount of mayonnaise bottles.
He was left speechless. He had totally forgotten it was his birthday today.
Kondo came to meet him, grabbing him by the shoulders vigorously. He was smiling from ear to ear, visibly overexcited.
'SURPRISE TOSHI! Do you like it? It was so hard to keep it a secret! I had to bribe Sougo and give him the coming week off to convince him not to spill the beans!' He exclaimed at an extremely high volume right in his ear.
Still, Hijikata couldn't hold back a small smile forming on his lips.
'Of course, Kondou-san, thank you.' He answered softly.
The older man led him to the rest of the guests. There were Shinsengumi officers Hijikata got along well with, Sougo, and the Yorozuyas. It wasn't a lot, but there was no one in this room Hijikata didn't want here.
Sougo walked up to him as Kondou stepped away, an even look on his face. 'Happy Birthday to you, Hijikata-san' he said in English, getting suspiciously close to him. 'I made a surprise for you as well, Hijikata-san,' he added, turning to look towards the buffet. 'There's 40 mayonnaise bottles on the table. I mixed 3 of them with toothpaste, hope you enjoy the surprise!' he said with an over-enthusiastic tone and a devilish smile.
Hijikata shuddered at the thought of tasting toothpaste instead of mayonnaise, and was about to start a fight with Sougo when Kondou came back alongside a few of their men. Sougo took it as his cue to flee, winking a last time at Hijikata before he blended into the small crowd.
The Vice-Commander chatted with his men for a few minutes before he slipped away, heading for the Yorozuyas. The kids were talking loudly with Yamazaki, Kagura already holding a plate stacked with food. Hijikata doubted it was her first serving.
Shinpachi greeted him again with a wide smile, happily wishing him a happy birthday and handing him a small gift. The older man took it, curious, and started to unwrap under their attentive gazes.
It was a small wooden and colourful frame, holding a picture he'd never seen before. It seemed that it had been taken during one of his visits to Otose's snack house. He was laughing in the photograph, Gintoki at his side laughing as well, his arm around Hijikata's shoulders, the two kids on each of their sides. It looked like a family picture. He thanked Shinpachi, and Kagura as well when she explained that she had been the one to decorate the frame. He slipped the precious gift in the inside pocket of his jacket, touched by the unexpected attention.
He looked up and noticed Gintoki's eyes on him, the man adorning a suspicious smile. The silver-haired man skirted the kids, grabbing Hijikata by the waist and slightly pulling him aside.
'Well, I gotta thank your old boss the next time I see him, with the way your ass looks in this suit I'd almost think it's my birthday we're celebrating tonight.' Gintoki whispered in his ear.
Hijikata smacked him on the shoulder, trying to conceal his blush, embarrassed by Gintoki's comment. His boyfriend burst out laughing, tightening his grip on his hip. His hand came to rest on Hijikata's temple, kissing him in the shade of the room.
'Happy birthday, Vice-Commander' he said softly.
Hijikata thanked him with a smile. He had not expected his day to take such a turn. He was grateful to Kondou for having organised the party. He didn't even remember the last time he had celebrated his birthday.
He turned back to the party, Gintoki's hand still on his waist. He had a party to enjoy, now. And mayonnaise to taste. At least he hoped it would be mayonnaise.
Happy Birthday Toshi!
I literally finished the fic 10 minutes before midnight, haha!
I guess I thought Hijikata deserved some fluff for his birthday!
Anyway, don't hesitate to leave favs and comments, it's always nice to read them and motivates me to write more!