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Tenmyouji always looked forward to Quark’s birthday every year. He couldn’t give less of a crap about his own, but being able to celebrate Quark’s birthday every year meant it was another year that they’d spent together as grandfather and grandchild, and another year of Quark growing into adolescence.
Quark never had an official birthday, but Tenmyouji had always chosen to celebrate the day that he’d found them in the rain. Though Tenmyouji didn’t always have a lot of money when it came to celebrations, he’d always done his best to make sure that Quark would have a memorable day.
This year is no different, though it is more of a special occasion this year as Quark is turning ten. The past decade has not been easy on Tenmyouji, but he wouldn’t trade Quark for anything else in the world.
Tenmyouji’s plans for today aren’t too extravagant. They’ll shop for a present together, get some lunch, maybe take some pictures in the park before returning home and baking cupcakes. It’s not the most grand of birthdays, but it’s special enough and Quark is more than grateful for the time they spend together. His heart swells just thinking about them, Tenmyouji couldn’t ask for anyone better to spend his life with.
It’s mid-morning when Quark wakes up, a bright smile on their face when they realize it’s their birthday.
“Happy birthday, Quark,” Tenmyouji greets, grinning as he runs a hand through Quark’s hair.
Quark laughs, leaping out of bed to hug him. “Grandpa!”
“Whoa, whoa, careful there—” Tenmyouji steels himself on impact, though he returns Quark’s hug anyway. “Are you excited for today?”
“Yeah! Let’s go!” Quark answers with glee. They haul themself out of bed, running out of the room while Tenmyouji follows suit to get started on breakfast for the day as Quark is getting ready.
By the time Quark is dressed, Tenmyouji plates the scrambled eggs and toast for Quark to devour despite telling them to slow down so that they don’t choke. He can’t even bring himself to scold them too harshly this time, he’s enlightened to see Quark so happy.
Tenmyouji’s birthdays growing up had been so much different, with not having to worry about scavenging for resources and having to navigate through a post-apocalyptic society. He’d never asked for much, but there was always a sense of comfort in knowing that he didn’t have to put in an effort toward making his birthdays special. Quark themself had been worried if it was okay for them to celebrate like this despite how tight money is, that they could go out scavenging or instead they could save the money for something more important, but Tenmyouji reassured them otherwise—Quark’s smile was always worth it to him.
With breakfast done, Tenmyouji and Quark make their way to the local shops where Quark picks out a few knick knacks for their backpack, and a model airplane set for them to build later that evening. Tenmyouji takes them to get sandwiches for their lunch, and the server is nice enough to give Quark a brownie on the house when Quark mentions it is their birthday.
They walk to the park nearby, and Tenmyouji asks Quark to pose for pictures despite the mild annoyance of having to sit still. If there’s one thing that Tenmyouji is grateful for, it’s that his camera has survived through the years and how it has helped him document much of Quark’s life.
He’s printed out tons of pictures on makeshift scrapbooks, much to Quark’s embarrassment, but his memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be and being able to go back and look at these pictures brings a warm feeling to his heart and helps him remember the times they spent together.
(Plus, he gets to brag about his cute grandkid whenever Aoi comes over.)
Quark still has boundless energy even after they make it back home. Tenmyouji offers for them to help out with baking a few cupcakes since baking a full cake would be too big for both of them to finish, and Quark happily puts on their apron to help.
By the end of it, they’re covered in flour and egg and the cupcakes come out a little bit lumpy, but Quark is proud of themself, and in turn, Tenmyouji is proud of them. He places a candle on one of the cupcakes, lighting it up and placing it in front of Quark.
“Happy birthday, Quark. Make a wish,” he tells them.
Quark takes a breath, blowing out the candlelight. “Thanks for everything, Grandpa.”
“Fun birthday for you?”
Quark just grins. “You always make my birthdays fun.”
Tenmyouji ruffles their hair. He couldn’t be any happier.