Author's Note: Before we begin, I'd like to wish Soren a happy in-fanfic birthday! I say "in fanfic", since his birthday isn't until January in real life and it's January in the fic.
Disclaimer: Nope. Eichiiro Oda still owns One Piece.
Ch. 91: "Happy Birthday to my Husband."
"So, now what?" Soren asked after a few minutes in silence.
"I can make you breakfast. What's your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?" Teru asked as she got up and walked over to her drawers. Soren rubbed his chin.
"Looks like we're going to have a big breakfast. I'd like some bacon, fried eggs, sausage, a stack of pancakes with maple syrup, toast with jam, a bluberry muffin, and some coffee and orange juice," Soren answered. Teru emerged from the closet wearing a pink T-shirt that said "Free Cynder" in gothic-styled writing, black skinny jeans that went to below her knees, and black, high-topped shoes.
"Okay! Huge breakfast it is!" Teru said before we walked over to the bed and kissed Soren on the forehead. "Let me guess… You always eat breakfast stark naked?"
Soren pulled off the covers, revealing that he was wearing his boxers.
"Nope. I'm gonna get dressed now. But, I don't know what to wear, since it's my birthday and all…" Soren said.
"I'm on it!" Teru said before she went through Soren's suitcase. After a few seconds, she pulled out a black T-shirt with a gothic-styled cross on it. "How about this?"
"Hmm… How about something a bit nicer? I'm the birthday boy and a new husband," Soren said. With a sigh, Teru picked up the collared shirt and the tie Soren wore the previous day.
"How about these?" Teru asked Soren.
"I just wore those yesterday," Soren pointed out. Teru sighed as she pulled out a black T-shirt that said "I'm not a vampire" on it, black skinny jeans, and black, high-top sneakers. "Perfect. I think I'll wear the T-shirt under the tie and the shirt."
"Why do you have to be so finnicky about your clothing?" Teru asked. Soren walked over to Teru and kissed her on the cheek.
"Because this is our first full day as husband and wife and it's my birthday. I want to make it a very special day the both of us will remember forever," Soren whispered seductively.
That afternoon, Soren and Teru made their way to the Hyperion so Teru could meet the Capricorns.
"I can't wait to meet everyone. Your brothers' girlfriends are so nice, and they seem to love your brothers very much," Teru said.
"Yeah, Aki loves Heathcliffe a lot. Not sure about Hana, since Holden just took some sort of interest in her," Soren explained as they approached the Hyperion. "Well, here's the place. The Hyperion."
"That's a great name for a ship," Teru said.
"Ready to meet everyone?" Soren asked Teru.
"Yes," Teru said before she and Soren kissed. "Let's go."
Hand-in-hand, Soren and Teru boarded the ship. But, they weren't expecting what happened next.
"Surprise! Happy birthday, Soren!"
On the deck stood the Capricorns, who were surronded by presents, balloons, and streamers. Heathcliffe and Holden were standing in front of the Capricorns with a huge, colorful cake with twenty candles.
"Holy cow… Did you guys really plan all of this?!" Soren asked his younger brothers with a laugh.
"We did. Happy birthday, Soren," Heathcliffe said before he and Holden hugged Soren.
"Happy birthday to the best older brother a boy could ask for. You are a great brother, Soren," Holden said.
"Thank you, guys. You are the best little brothers ever," Soren said to his brothers.
"Soren, introduce Teru to everyone," Heathcliffe whispered.
"Oh, yeah," Soren said before he turned to the Capricorns. "Everybody, this is Teru, my girlfriend. She lives here in the Hinterlands, which is why we're on this island for a few days."
"I'm so glad I got to meet Soren and fall in love with him. He's such a wonderful guy," Teru said to the Capricorns.
"He is. Sarutobi-kun really loves and looks up to his brother," Aki explained.
"Speaking of brothers, do you want to open your presents?" Heathcliffe asked Soren as everyone sat down.
"Of course! I hope you guys got me some great stuff!" Soren said. About thirty minutes of eating cake and opening presents later, most of Soren's gifts were unwrapped.
"A box of Tone Dials?! No way!" Soren cried as he opened Wolfgang's present to him.
"You should put some of those to good use. If you and your brothers record your performances on those Tone Dials, there's a chance you could get famous," Wolfgang explained.
"Thanks, Wolfgang!" Soren thanked the merchant.
"Well, you have one more present left, and it's from your brothers," Yuki-Rin said as he gave a box to Soren.
"Open it. You're going to love it," Holden said. Soren unwrapped the gift, revealing a white box. Soren then opened the box, uncovering two drumsticks.
"No way… You guys got me new drumsticks?!" Soren asked his brothers.
"Well, your old ones seemed ready to break apart, so Holden and I got you new ones," Heathcliffe explained. Soren grinned as he gave his brothers a big hug.
"Thanks, guys. You two really are the best brothers I could ever ask for, and I would never trade you guys for the world," Soren told his brothers.
"And we would never trade you for the world, either. Happy birthday to the best older brother we know," Holden said.
Some time later, Soren and Teru left the Hyperion to return to Teru's house/the magic shop.
"I had so much fun today, Soren. Your nakama are so cool," Teru said.
"They are cool, Teru. I bet you didn't know that they saved my brother's life," Soren explained.
"They did? Which brother?" Teru asked as they approached the shop.
"Heathcliffe. Want to hear the story over dinner?" Soren asked Teru as they went inside.
"Sure!" Teru said before her expression became puzzled. "What are we having for dinner anyway?"
"Whatever we like. It is my birthday after all," Soren said as the two of them sat down.
"I almost forgot…" Teru said as she pulled out a wrapped box. "Happy birthday to my husband."
Soren opened the wrapping and the box. Inside of the box was a black tailcoat that buttoned open or closed with silver padlocks and not buttons.
"Teru… I love it," Soren said as he looked at the coat. "I love it! Thank you, Teru!"
"I knew you'd love it! I had Azarael buy it while we were out today," Teru said. Soren got up and kissed Teru.
"You are a great wife, Teru. I don't care that I'm leaving in a few days, but we're going to make the most of our time. We're husband and wife, and we're going to make a great family one day," Soren said before he and Teru hugged. But, they didn't know that their marriage was in danger.
Ending Note: Review if you want to see the Capricorns more during this arc.