Happy Birthday.
He found it difficult to say it. Ridiculous as it may seem, he choked, despite saying more daring words to her. The idiotic men were slightly drunk and he did his best to moderate his temper and annoyance as they shamelessly flirted with their Captain. He didn't want to spoil the mood and be the nag he always was. Just for this night. For her birthday.
He positioned himself right beside her, noticing how she staggered a step back and how she was on her second glass of whatever booze they were drinking.
His heart clutched when she teared up at the cake.
Those idiots are good for something.
Worse still, one of the idiots began playing a happy birthday song on the fiddle, and the other idiots joined in. The annoying headache formed
as they dragged the tempo so everybody could jump on.
He rubbed his temple at the second verse, glancing at her face.
Her face was red as she wiped off her tears with her gloved fingers. Clenching his fist, he once again missed his opportunity to congratulate her. Instead, he went with the usual.
"Stop acting like a meek girl. You're a captain. Thank the idiots and put an end to this."
Damn it, he went overboard.
She froze, immediately straightening her back.
"You're right, Smoker-san. I got carried away..."
He grunted in response, but he would rather apologize. He would rather celebrate it with her in private, where she could wear that floral sundress he gave her last year for her birthday. Hina persuaded him to buy it. She was the only one who knew that they were together.
There wasn't any opportunity for her to wear it, and he would never ask her to do it. While he was stuck in his fantasy, the morons implored her to make a wish before she threatened them with extra challenging training in the morning.
He did his best not to cringe at the whistles and applause when she paused, preparing to snuff out the candles. He wondered what she wished for. A more peaceful world? Less corruption in the Navy? To get stronger? A new sword?
He didn't dare to think that she wished for their relationship to last. Once the cat was out of the bag, he did his best to extinguish all the little flames in his gut with the same intensity Tashigi did when she blew out the candles.
I should have given her the night off, at least. She should be allowed to have fun. She's young and... Fuck. Thirteen years is a lot, isn't it?
He glanced at his gloved hands. Barely two hours had passed and his hands itched with the urge to hold her.
"I'm sorry about this, Smoker-san. I had no idea." In their applause and noise, she whispered beside him.
Although the expression on her face was apologetic, he could detect a hint of happiness.
Of fucking course. It's her birthday.
She was glad that people cared. But she got stuck with a stubborn old asshole like him, who was too embarrassed to wish her a happy birthday.
Some nights, he wrestled with the urge to tell her he loved her. He wanted her to know how grateful he was for all of the fits of anger and frustration she endured over the years and for all the times she quelled his temper with a sharp retort.
"You should... have fun."
Tashigi raised her brow and smiled a second later. "I had fun. But if I'm allowed to have a wish…"
She drifted off. Her cheeks were crimson.
"What do you want?" He cajoled her.
"Maybe we could spend some time together later?" She whispered, looking at the distance. Sparks of gold floated on the sky above the horizon that melded into an orange, red, purple, and blue kaleidoscope.
"Life's too short to waste on a grumpy man like me," he muttered, his heart pounding loudly despite his words. His eyes shifted to the sea, and he couldn't meet her gaze.
Tashigi learned to anticipate his moves and now, she could read his mind too.
"Is that a no?" Her sharp whisper made him bite his cigar harder.
Smoker exhaled harshly, the tightness that had held his whole body stiff for most of the day easing by the second.
"I didn't say that, but don't you get fed up with me?"
She placed her hand over his.
"Sometimes. But I love you, so... Will you grant me my wish?" She looked up at him, her cheeks flushed with a deeper shade of red than before.
A sudden gust of wind swept over them, carrying her scent. It was a subtle fragrance, reminiscent of the typical stuff women use, but not overpowering.
"Yes, I'll do whatever you want," he gritted out, speaking each word slowly. He felt like a schoolboy.
"Are you angry with me?"
"No. I'm pissed off at myself. Stuff should've gone in a different direction... It doesn't matter."
She squeezed his hand tighter.
"Are we together?"
"Together," he nodded, staring into her eyes. "I don't want to waste any more time."
"Me neither."
He looked around. Some of the men were still dragging around, clearly drunk.
She yelped when he pulled her closer.
"Happy birthday," he whispered, discarding the cigar into the sea as he leaned towards her. He pecked her lips, as he didn't want to risk being seen by anyone. She didn't even have the chance to respond.
He promised himself he would make it up to her later.
For a moment, she struggled to regain her composure.
A huge smile spread across her lips.
"So, whatever I want, huh?"
Smoker facepalmed. She'd gotten more bold with him over the past two years.
"Don't tease me, Tashigi. I'll have your ass thrown over my shoulder in an eyeblink."
"Smoker-san!"
"I'm gonna go punch some morons to sleep, so wait for me."
"I'll help you!"
"No, you have the night off."
"Alright. Just this time. Don't make me wait long."
"You're really tasting my patience." He shook his head, lighting another cigar.
Tashigi chuckled.