@quillborn said: it’s late at night by the time alexander manages to stumble back into camp and up into the room he so often shares with his friend. upon entering, the young aide grins up at john despite his exhaustion, cheeks flushed from pure exertion as he mumbles something unintelligible, pulls a tiny box from the pocket of his coat to hand it across to the other man. ❛ it’s your birthday, john, ❜ he says quietly, fingers tracing the edge of the table somewhat nervously. alexander couldn’t give much in terms of a gift ( he was not well-off, after all ), and he could only pray that john was okay with that. inside the box lies a ring, looped onto a necklace with a silver chain. he skirts around the bed, pulls out a small book from underneath it and hands that across too : a book filled to the brim with knowledge medicinal herbs and various other natural cures, fully illustrated. ❛ i’m sorry it isn’t much, but... i hope you like it anyway. ❜
Usually, John was content to let his birthday pass without much fanfare. He hadn’t truly celebrated it by choice since his mother’s death, as she had always been the one to plan the celebrations in their family; his father and uncle of course wished him well, and gave him gifts even despite him never asking for anything, but it wasn’t the same as trying new baking recipes with Mama in the kitchen, or seeing her face light up as he pulled the new leather-bound book out of its wrapping and saw how overjoyed he was. She had passed a few months before he turned sixteen. He was twenty-three today.
It wasn’t that he had consciously avoided telling people his date of birth, he had no reluctance telling them if they asked, he simply rarely chose to volunteer the information. So when seldom few people said anything to him, it barely even registered to him. He was not offended, he hadn’t celebrated since attending school in Geneva anyways, and that was only because his friend group had insisted upon it. He appreciated their efforts, even if he didn’t find them necessary. Night had come quickly, the daily routine remained unchanged despite his being a year older, and the candles burning low in their holders. A part of him was concerned he hadn’t seen Alexander since earlier that evening, not even for dinner, but at this point he knew fretting would only bother the younger man.
The redhead would be back before morning; he was certain because Alexander’s papers were in disarray from McHenry searching for one of his own missives among them that had been misplaced; poor James, he would be dearly missed when Alex realized someone had touched his desk in his absence. So, upon hearing the familiar footsteps coming up the staircase, John lifted his head, intending to greet Alexander, and perhaps inquire on his presumed trip into the nearest town, when he got a look at him, and concern furrowed at his brow. “ Alexander, are you alright? ” he asked, rising to his feet to move towards him; the redhead looked exhausted. He was about to voice this rather obvious observation, when the younger male spoke, derailing his line of thought. “ I... I’m well aware of the date, mon chéri, what is this about? ” The perplexed expression changed to one of wariness when his friend withdrew a box from his pocket.
He appreciated each and every gift he received from anyone kind enough to think of him, but he also knew Alexander struggled with his finances, and so it was utterly unnecessary for him to spend what little he had on John, not when it could be spent better on his own necessities. “ My dear boy, you did not need to go out of your way for me; your company is more than enough of a gift to me. ” he was touched, if still a bit concerned, as he accepted the offered box and opened the lid. Turquoise eyes widened slightly when he realized what it was; a men’s ring, hanging from a delicate silver chain. “ Alexander... ” He’d received jewelry before, of course, watches and cufflinks mostly, but also the occasional ring, from friends and family members on different occasions. This felt more personal somehow, because it was coming from Alexander, and knowing the significance of a ring in relationships of a romantic nature (whether either of them were willing to acknowledge it as such) held an entirely different meaning in most cases. “ It’s beautiful, Alexander. I... I will cherish it always. ” He clasped the chain around his neck, which he assumed was its intended purpose, and felt the ring’s weight against his chest; a warm sensation spread through him.
The Southerner looked up, in order to thank him properly, just in time to see Alexander pull something out from beneath the mattress of the cot they often shared, and froze as a book was handed to him. The illustrated cover image of a chrysanthemum plant stood out immediately, and he realized what sort of book it was. A rush of memories washed over him; days spent wandering the gardens with his mother as she named each and every one of the plants, tending to the injured critters that appeared on the estate, her teaching him the remedies she’d learned from the old countries. John had shared some of these memories with Alexander, but he hadn’t realized the other had paid that much attention when he spoke of his childhood; and he hadn’t realized until that point, but his favourite things in life had been directly influenced by her.
“ Alex... I... thank you. ” John glanced up, blinking hard; his eyes were wet with sudden tears. He swallowed and shook his head, “ Come here. ” The older male stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Alexander, embracing him tightly, shoulders bent in order to bury his face against the crook of the smaller soldier’s neck. “ Le prix et la quantité ne sont rien. Ces cadeaux signifier le monde pour moi. Je vous remercie. ”