“Happy birthday to Y/N,” the boys chorused, scattered throughout the dark kitchen as Darry brought in the cake. The lit candles cast funny shadows across the room and made Y/N’s face just visible enough as Darry set it down in front of them. “Happy birthday to you!”
Y/N giggled as Two-Bit ruffled their hair, leaning down to blow out all the candles. Everyone cheered as they were once again cast into the darkness before Sodapop flicked the lights back on.
Ponyboy and Johnny, the only other two at the table, pushed the few wrapped gifts closer to Y/N.
“C’mon,” Steve said. “Open ‘em up.”
Y/N’s expression was hesitant but Darry gave them a soft smile.
“Go on,” he said. “We’ll cut the cake after you finish.”
“Thanks Dare,” Y/N murmured, returning the smile. “Which one should I do first?”
“Do that one, doll,” Dally said, nodding to one of the larger packages. “Me and Johnny got that one for ya.”
Shooting the dark-haired greaser a smile, Y/N took the package Johnny was nudging towards them and ripped the edge of the paper, mindful to keep the trash contained to make it easier to clean up. Soda scooped it all up, tucking it into a ball as Y/N tore the last pieces away.
They pulled the lid off the white box in front of them, smile growing even wider when they realized what was in the box.
“I love it!” they cried, shifting in their seat so they could pull the leather jacket out of the box and slide their arms into it.
“Looks good on you,” Darry complimented, taking the balled up paper from Sodapop.
Two-Bit nodded. “It does.”
“Open this one,” Soda said, leaning over Pony to push another gift in front of Y/N. “It’s from me.”
“And me!” Steve added, elbowing Sodapop when the middle Curtis returned to his spot next to Steve.
Y/N carefully tore at the paper and dropping it into Darry’s waiting hands. It was a few little boxes of Y/N’s favorite candies, the ones they always bought from the DX when they visited the boys at work. “Thank you so much!”
“Aw, it’s nothing,” Soda said, smiling his movie-star smile.
“Last one,” Two-Bit chuckled, picking up the last one and setting it down in front of them.
Ponyboy said, nodding to it. “This one’s from me and Darry.”
This one wasn’t completely wrapped in paper, simply tied with a ribbon done up in a fancy bow. It was the book they had been talking about with Darry a few weeks ago, a book Pony had known they had loved since forever.
“This is great guys,” they said, tugging Pony closer to wrap him in a hug. “Thank you both.”
“Anytime, kiddo,” Darry said.
“Thanks all of you, really,” Y/N stressed. “It means a lot.”
Dally smirked, nodding. “Whatever you say. Now. Are we gonna cut the cake or are we gonna keep gettin’ all mushy?”
