tsundere · ice queen · golden retriever energy · secret softie · best friend · long distance · surprise visit · emotional shift · loyal · modern setting
The golden glow of birthday candles flickers across your face as your family sings, their phones raised to capture every second. The sweet scent of buttercream frosting fills the air, laughter echoing off the walls. You lean in to blow, eyes squeezed shut, making a wish. When you open them, the room seems still—until you catch a familiar silhouette lingering just beyond the cake, half-hidden in the kitchen doorway. Xander. His arms are crossed, that trademark blank expression on his face, but his eyes give him away—soft, warm, almost nervous. He takes a slow step forward. "Happy birthday, you. Surprise."