-> Fluff , Might be a little out of character
It is December 31st. To many it's just the last day of 2025 and new year's Eve. Even to him. Birthdays come and go by, especially to someone who's lived that long, someone who has seen civilizations rise and fall, history be long forgotten in the lost sands of time. Birthdays were awesome yes. But it wouldn't hurt to celebrate it with some playful banter would it?
Before his birthday came, you went grocery shopping for things, such as balloons, cake mix, whipping cream, chocolate and oh boy it was a long list.
So as soon as you came home, you immediately went to hide all the stuff you had bought before your husband had come home. You were extra, extra, extra, EXTRA kind to him before his birthday and he was puzzled. How could his chaotic wife, one that often caused him trouble is being nice to him? Surely it isn't a prank... Right?
"[Name], you have oddly been kind to me-" and that's when he catches your glare to which you replied "odd? Is me being kind of odd now? You make me sound like i am some terrible person" He PANICKED . He didn't mean to say it that way at all!
Before he could even explain you had already angrily steeped away from the room. But he could swear he heard you struggling to not laugh loudly, the rest of the evening was... Okay.. to say the least. He tried to talk to you but the answers were short. Shorter than usual. He noticed. He didn't question much , thought you needed some space and when he was going to bed was hoping you would forgive him for saying that to you.
He waited and waited for 3 FUCKING HOURS CAUSE YOU CANT DO SHI- Anyways. He heard a lot of kitchen sounds. A LOT. Nevertheless he didn't question it. Cause YOUR FAT ASS ALWAYS EATS SOMETHING LATER AT NIGHT. Then again anyways.
He gave up after 3 hours and had thought to himself that you probably hate him for some time. Oh he just wanted to sleep while holding you, afterall it was his birthday tomorrow it would be extra lovely to sleep with his wife. So he went to bed with regret.
-> Meanwhile in the kitchen:
You were struggling to bake a cake, not because it was too hard to bake or anything BUT you were a perfectionist, everything had to and HAS TO be perfect. So you wasted a ton of ingredients trying to perfect one single cake. ONE.
Not to mention you clearly ate half of the cake batter because it was delicious and half of the whipping cream and now it's a huge mess in the kitchen.
You gave up after 8 hours of trying. It was nearly dawn. You ended up with 5 cakes of caramel chocolate cake. Each looked different. So with a sigh of defeat you kept them all in the fridge and went back to bed.
Except it was morning. Nevertheless your husband didn't wake up yet. So you slid in the sheets. Too exhausted and tired to clean too demotivated to even remember.
Zhongli woke up shortly after. When he saw you in his arms he was relieved that you had forgiven him and planted a soft kiss on your forehead. He then left to freshen up and make breakfast for the both of you when you woke up you were shocked to see two full meals beautifully prepared.
Ah, Good morning love, today's a special day isn't it?" He said with a big smile. Except you had a plan. So you can't giveaway anything yet.
A. Say happy birthday to him
B. Say thank you for the meal and then say happy birthday to him
C. Hug him and kiss his cheeks and say happy birthday to him.
Wrong answer you fool it's the secret option D of course!
Which you replied to him "What is it today?" His heart broke somewhat. How could his own beloved not remember his birthday? Surely you're just teasing him. But when he saw the serious act. His expression was a bit broken. "Nevermind. Today is New year's eve is it not? Anyways hurry up and eat breakfast before it gets cold please."
He said with a soft smile before leaving for work. And when he did leave that's when you took a huge sigh of relief and immediately freshened up, ate and left to buy a well made caramel chocolate cake for him.
When you got back the box was heavy. So heavy. Of course you ordered a lot it's his birthday and when it's birthdays you should never measure things and always eat to your hearts content.
You kept the box in the freezer and immediately started decorating the living room. Balloons in his favourite colors, a big happy birthday decor, buying him some gifts. And when it was all done that's when you took a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile at the funeral parlor. Everyone greeted him and wished him a happy birthday. His friends, his colleagues. Everyone. Except you who had seemingly forgotten. He didn't blame you. You probably had a lot on your plate.
It was pretty late when zhongli had gotten home. It was all dark and then suddenly.. he felt some.. snow.. spray? When the light flickered back up he saw himself in the nearest mirror, having a snow beard and a funny hat and that's when you suddenly screamed into his ears "Happy Birthday Zhongli!!" He didn't flinch, he was happy.
"So.. you didn't forget my birthday?"
"Nope! I had all this prepared to give you a surprise."
"Very well, thank you my dearest."
"Anyways sit down!! And cut the cake!!!"
You said enthusiastically while going to the fridge and getting the cake in the meantime zhongli was admiring the work you put in, balloons, decor, glitter, you thought of it all. Seeing it all made his heart swoon. And then when you came back with the cake in your hands he noticed something odd.
"Love, why does the cake have a number '6' as the candle?"
"oh yeah since you're just a baby I thought getting the number 6 would be nice to suit you since you say you keep getting old"
He didn't laugh. He didn't find it funny. He stared right at your soul. Six thousand years. Six thousand years of his life. Just to make a joke to his wife. Though he didn't find it offensive that much he found it amusing, is that how you viewed him?
When you saw the staring and how he went silent... You apologized for making fun of poor little gramps.
'It's alright. Though I must say is that how you perceive my age? Nevertheless it is amusing."
"Well I didn't really mean to add the number 6 candle of the cake. If I added three more zeros there would be no place for all three of them."
"Ah, I see so you decided to just keep it as 6?" He replied half playfully and half serious.
"Well yeah, don't worry! I've come up with a solution!! I bought a letter K so when I add it beside the 6 it looks like ,6K!" You said while placing the candles.
"Hm, so you already thought of a solution.. seems like you did want to poke at my age didn't you?"
"I- erm.. yeah not going to lie i did try to poke at that."
"Hm. I guess I'll let it go for now. I do want to celebrate my birthday with my dearest before the night goes away. And the people are quite eager to have this night gone soon."
And so he cut the cake and made a wish. He didn't eat the cake however. Instead he asked a simple question.
"You have gotten everything right of my favorite things except."
"This isn't the cake you made. Dearest, when you were busy in the kitchen last night, I heard multiple kitchen sounds, whisking, baking, my ears are quite sharp."
"And this isn't the cake you baked for me."
What. How did he know that? Yeah sure the sounds are whatever. But how did he know it was a cake? You made many sweets before and he loved them all. But how did he guess you were making a cake? While you were deep in your thoughts your husband replied:
"My love, when I woke up I saw the kitchen in a mess. I saw the dishes, I saw the cake batter you used and you had also apparently eaten the batter since there was some left near your mouth still by the time I woke up. And when I went to check the fridge I saw 5 cakes lying there. Each one in a different shape yet their color is exactly the same as my favorite things."
Why so your surprise was long ruined since he saw the cakes. But would it really be ruined when you got him a store made cake? Isn't that one better? So you tried deflecting the situation.
"Hey at least the store made cake was tastier and pretty looking"
"I digress. I want the cake my wife has prepared for me. The store brought cakes.. you can easily buy them again, but to eat something my wife made specifically for me. That is something I am not willing to pass."
Touched by his comment you had bought your home made cakes out and he tasted every single one of them. To you those may seem tasteless and worthless. But to him those tasted like luxury and moments that he can never get again. So he ate slices of all 5 cakes, their flavours slightly different and flawed. Yet he enjoys the same. After all the store brought cakes wouldn't have the same sentimental value as your cake.
As time passed. You both sat on the balcony, watching the fireworks as people celebrate New years. He held you tight, his hand gently yet very firmly caught your hand, his arm by your waist, and his head leaning on your shoulder, enjoying the fireworks and occasionally kissing your hand softly.
"So zhongli. What do we do about the cakes?"
"No worries, I'll give most of it to the funeral parlor. I think they'll like it. And some to cloud retainer. I wonder if she'll like caramel chocolate cakes."
And then you both continued to sit on the balcony enjoying each other's company in peace. When you hear his voft softly say:
"Thank you, for doing all this for my birthday... [Name]."
