Work Text:
Today has been just another hot summer day. Everyone had forgotten about my birthday, again. Even after years of expecting it, it still stings. The men who I see as my fathers don't even say nothing, nevermind the rest of the gang. S'posse that's all a no-good rotten bastard like me deserves.
Arthur signed deeply as he closed his journal. Looking up, he saw Javier walking towards him, holding his guitar in one hand. "Evening, Javier." Arthur said slowly, drawing out all the syllables. Javier glanced at the closed journal and back at the older man's weathered face. "Are you okay, Arthur?" He asked softly, different from his typical demeanor.
Arthur looked down, his hat hiding his face in shadows as a few stray tears left his eyes. "Arthur. Look at me. What's wrong, amigo?" "It.. It doesn't matter. Go play a song or something." Arthur saw Javier frown before crouching down, so Arthur couldn't avoid his face. The younger man's hand rested on Arthur's knee, a gentle touch that made the older man's heart beat. "Arthur, tell me what's wrong. I.. care about you." Javier said, looking into Arthur's opulent blue eyes. With a sigh, Arthur spoke quietly, almost seeming worried people would hear. "It's just... er.. today's my birthday and everybody forgot.. again." Arthur scoffed, trying to sound nonchalant, but Javier could tell it affected him deeply.
Arthur saw Javier's mouth slightly quirk up into a smile and he blushed from embarrassment. "No one remembered?" Javier asked, amusement in his tone. "Yeah. Look I know it's stupid so you don't gotta smile like that." Arthur said gruffly, standing up to walk away. Javier stood up as well, grabbing Arthur's hand to prevent him from leaving. "No- wait, amigo. Are you sure everyone forgot?" Arthur furrowed his eyebrows. Thinking back throughout the day, he hadn't recieved any special privilege or anything. "Uh.. Maybe Pearson's stew was... More flavorful today?" Javier chuckled; a full on guffaw as if he had heard the funniest joke of his life. Arthur squinted his eyes in both confusion and annoyance. "Alright this has just gotten insulting now. I'm going to bed." Through a smile, Javier placed a parcel in Arthur's hands. "Happy birthday, cowboy."
Any annoyance Arthur had carried dissipated as he smiled softly and carefully opened the parcel. Inside was a knife. On the sheath was the carving of a buck. "I-I know it's not the best; I'm not as good at art as you are." Javier said, scratching the back of his neck. Arthur looked up at him, his blue eyes shiny. "God, Javier. I love it. This is the first gift I've gotten in... Christ... Five years.." With that, Arthur wrapped Javier in a tight embrace, burying his head into Javier's shoulder. Once parted, Javier could see trails left by tears down Arthur's rugged face. Javier's face warmed, as he wiped away a tear on Arthur's cheek. Arthur turned his head down, hoping his hat would hide how red his face was. Javier still noticed, and smiled to himself.
"Buenas noches, niño bonito." Javier murmured, picking up his guitar and starting to walk away. "W-whats that mean?" Arthur asked quickly, before his chance was missed. "Goodnight, pretty boy." Javier repeated, in English, before walking towards the campfire. "Ah.." Arthur started, his face red and warm. Sitting down, he opened his journal once more.
Perhaps I was wrong. Maybe all hope is not lost for me. Javier gave me a knife with a carved sheath. It's the kindest, most selfless gift I've ever recieved. I like Javier.
With that, Arthur sketched the knife, careful to put extreme detail in it. Before closing his journal, he wrote the initials A and J in a heart. Arthur glanced at the campfire where he saw Javier playing a song for everyone. Pretty boy.. Oh how Arthur thought the only pretty boy was not him, but Javier Escuella.