Because Aislinn was gone during Raiden's birthday, she felt awful for missing it. But, duty had called and, though she had missed it, decided to make him his own gift.
Who knew she had a talent for making drumsticks?
The idea first came about when she came across Raiden practicing on his drumset. Happy to listen, she soon learned that he had a habit for breaking them, often hitting them hard and watching them split in half. Over the course of the last couple decades, he had broke over 2,000 drumsticks and, watching his hard earned money go down the drain repeatedly because of the need to replenish his supply, she took it into her own hands. During her free time, she had began crafting him the ultimate drumsticks that he would be able to keep for a good while. When she finished just before her team headed back, she designed it and,with some kido-infused defenses on it, as well as some of her own reiatsu to allow it to not break, she smiled at her finished work.
Now, it was time to give it to him.
He was once again asleep when she arrived late at night, working over paperwork. With a smile, she took out the drumsticks, placing them inside of Raiden's open hands. She really hoped that he would like them.
But, that was only half of the gift.
As soon as she placed his gift within his grasp, she knelt beside his sleeping form and, cupping his cheek softly, leaned in and.. gave him the gentlest of kisses.
"Happy birthday, Raiden," she murmured as she pulled away, giving the skin within her palm a gentle caress before she stood up. He would never know just how much she cared-- no, loved him. He would make fun of her because of it. Maybe he had a girl already and she just didn't know it. But even if he couldn't hear it, she still was going to tell him how she felt.
With one last glance for the night, before heading back to her room, the brightest of smiles tugged on her pink lips as she spoke one last time before walking away. It was faint, but to her, it was clear as day.