Hey ur my favorote Eddie Nashton fic writer, if you're taking requests at all would you write something about reader throwing him a birthday party? I imagine he didnt get many in the orphanage :( Supposedly 7/21 is his birthday!
sweet tooth - edward nashton x gn!reader
{contains: brief mentions of past trauma but mostly fluff/celebrating edward :-)}
Edward got up for work early, when the sky was still a dark, milky blue-black and the air was still chill and silent.
40 today. He would rather not think about it.
He was perfectly fine with you forgetting. He could count on one hand the amount of happy birthday letters he had received in his four decades. He was fine without a stupid cake or colorful candles or glittering balloons. He was a fully grown man, not a selfish little child. Who needs them.
But while you're still sleeping in bed and he's putting on his jacket, getting ready to head out the door, he sees something shining on the kitchen counter. He walks over and sees a card. Sweeping, cursive letters and a drawing of a cupcake decorate the front.
It's Your Day!
The counter is bejeweled with small, glittering pieces of rainbow confetti. He doesn't notice that his hands are trembling as he opens the card.
Happy birthday, sweetheart. I hope this year is the year you flourish like never before.
I can't wait to celebrate you when you get home.
His stomach is churning as he places the card back on the counter and it stays twisting and turning throughout his day at work.
Not a single happy birthday, Edward! Not a card or confetti decorating his desk.
But you. You remembered.
He scoffs a laugh as you practically tackle him in a hug when he walks through the door.
"I'm so glad you're home, darling."
It takes genuine strength to blink back his tears as you shove a gift in his arms. It's wrapped in glimmering green paper.
He thinks of the orphanage as he tears it. He thinks of the children he shared a room with. He wonders where they are. How they could've bloomed like neon flowers in the beating summer sun if only they had been given a chance.
You looked worried as he peers at the gift: a thick book of crosswords.
"It's kind of stupid, but I thought you'd like it. It's supposed to be harder than the New York Times. I know you love a challenge."
He shakes his head and says nothing as he envelops you in a quiet, warm hug. You can feel his smile against your cheek and suddenly, it all is worth it. The nightmares that keep you both up and make your stomach cave in worry. The times you have to run your fingers through his hair and pat his back as he dry heaves into the toilet. The days where the world is too loud for him and his voice is far too quiet to fight back...it all is worth it if it means he could blossom with you. It wasn't easy, but getting to be a part of him would always be worth it.
You think of him, him in his entirety. His high, trembling giggle as he stumbled his way through a dumb joke. His compassion and dedication, the times he'd pick up market flowers for you or write you long, handwritten letters just because. The truth of the matter was that despite everything he had weathered, Edward Nashton was sweet. He was kind to you. He was yours, and there was nothing you'd trade that for.
Edward did not look forward to his birthday. He hardly remembered it when it rolled around each year. But then there was you. God, he never could've imagined that this would be his life. A life where he's celebrated, not crumpled like a piece of ruined paper and thrown away. A life where he's thought of and cared for, not just another number.
i have no clue how i did this. i just blacked out for five hours and somehow managed to render??????when iāve never been able to do that before?????whatš